It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was a time for reaching out and a time for letting go. It was a time of beauty and a time of horror. It was a time of hope and a time of despair. It was a time of war and a time of peace.
It was a time when in the face of great change, on the surface, everything seemed the same. Jobs were still scarce and people were still losing their homes. Money was still the currency of politics, corporate executives and Wall St. bankers still were paid yearly salaries most people would work a lifetime for and never achieve. The rich had it beyond good and the poor had long ago fallen through the cracks.
And some who sought the highest office of the land would declare that government has no role in helping those who falter. They would proclaim that those who work hard and succeed have no duty or responsibility to extend a hand to those less equipped than they. He who has, deserves. He who has not, deserves not. Let those who fall be consumed by the forces of nature, like the animals in the jungle, they declared. And lest their carcasses litter the landscape, let them also figure out for themselves how to deal with sickness, old age and death.
It appeared there was no love in the land and fear seemed to rule the day. Fear breeds mistrust, and in their fear, the people turned on each other. They were no longer each other's neighbors and fellow countrymen. They became each other's enemies. Their hearts and minds were poisoned with lies masquerading as truths. No one knew who to trust or what to believe anymore. Thus, they were rendered easily controllable by those in power.
On the surface, it didn't look good for them. It looked like the good guys were losing, yet again. That is, unless you'd developed an eye for looking between the cracks and reading between the lines. Unless you were attuned for seeing what is not obvious and hearing beyond words, you were likely to miss it. Yet there, growing ever so imperceptibly in the dark, a tiny ray of hope emerged. It was shy at first. Its tiny ray barely cast any light upon the earth.
But there were those who felt it before anyone saw it. Having stood vigil for millennia, in their hearts, they sheltered the spark that would ignite the flame that would illuminate the world again.
And then, when the world was at its darkest, one of them shook off her slumber, opened her eyes and declared herself awake. As she stood up, the darkness surrounding her was flooded with light and there was warmth and love in her midst. She turned to those around her and saw they were asleep. Gently, she tapped them on the shoulder and encouraged them to awaken. As the others awakened, they stood up and there was more light and love in their midst. They looked around and saw still more who were asleep and so it went. Those who'd been sleeping awakened and saw what there was to do.
In the end, after so long in darkness, it took but a moment for the light to return. It only takes one spark to ignite a forest fire, and in the end that's how it went. Human hearts awakening, the fires of unity spreading in an instant, and the last human being awakened.
This brings us to the myth of the "Hundredth Monkey" -- a new age allegory that refers to the time when a critical mass is achieved and collective behavior shifts. Storytellers, philosophers, astrologers and indigenous people have pointed to this time, 2012, as the time of the "Great Awakening."
Peter Russell, author of Waking Up in Time, calls it time wave zero, the time when time ends as we know it. A time beyond time, beyond measurable time anyway. The prophecies surrounding this age are filled with conflicting predictions. Time will end, the world will end, apocalypse now vs. complete paradigm shift, humanity evolves to the next level and harmony will reign upon the earth.
No one knows what the future holds. We don't even know what the next breath will bring us. But I wonder what would happen if enough people held a vision around a "Great Awakening" to begin at an appointed hour? What would happen if a critical mass of human beings opened themselves to the possibility that a collective event, like a massive paradigm shift, could happen?
Whatever these times may be, Mayan prophesy aside, we are the ones occupying planet Earth in 2012. We are the ones whose choices set the stage for all that follows. We are the ones who, in our daily lives, either allow our inner light to shine in the world, expressing love and reflecting the highest good for all of mankind, or out of a mistaken belief that there is a limited supply, or that who we are is not enough, shield our inner light from view. Whether or not there is a collective event that involves a "Great Awakening" for mankind depends upon our collective willingness to have it be so.
Clearly there is work to be done. Can we do it? The eternal optimist in me says absofrickinlutely we can! Will it happen in our lifetimes? Who knows? That part is not my concern. My only concern is that I live my own life aligned with the values I believe are essential for this event to occur and that I encourage others to encourage others do the same.
What are those essential values to live by? Here's my list. I don't claim for it to be the last word on the subject. I'd love to hear yours.
10 Essential Values for Living a Transformed Life (And Ushering in the 100th Monkey)
1) Accept personal responsibility -- 100 percent of the time. No exceptions. Responsibility is not blame. It is a choice, a place to stand, from which freedom, aliveness and creativity is possible.
2) Honesty -- 100 percent of the time. Tell the truth as you know it, especially when it's uncomfortable. No exceptions.
3) Integrity -- Honor and live as your word.
4) Authenticity -- Be and live as who you are. You're the only you, everyone else is taken.
5) Generosity -- Live from an open, giving heart. What goes around comes around.
6) Contribution -- Make a difference in the lives of others. Life has meaning and purpose when we live for something larger than fulfilling our own personal needs.
7) Oneness -- Love my neighbor as myself. We are one and the same. Outwardly different, inwardly the same. All is one.
8) Love -- Give it, be it, express it, be open to receive it. Love is all there really is. Everything else is the absence of love.
9) Abundance -- We live in an abundant universe. There is enough of everything, despite appearances. Live from the overflow. The source of love is infinite.
10) Vision -- Create a vision for your life that is large enough to hold your dreams. Live from your vision, not from circumstances. Vision trumps circumstances every time.
This is just a beginning. Spend some time with this and you'll come up with many more. Please do share them here as well as your thoughts about the 100th Monkey and the new year.
And while you're nosing around the Internet, come on over to my personal blog and website: Rx For The Soul and pay a visit.
For personal contact, email me at judith@judithrich.com.
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Thanks for being here. Blessings on the path.
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I believe we can narrow your ten down to two, wisdom and honesty, all the others and, I believe, any anyone else comes up with will be located under those two. The concept of intelligent design suggests wisdom is behind the functioning of existence, wisdom reveals it but can't be obtain without honesty. The concept in John's gospel's first chapter suggest everything was made by words and words are tools of man, therefore, it's within man to comprehend all things known, that's wisdom.
From here I go to the second of your series and see how I may respond.
We have the opportunity to create, to craft, to consummate a new vision for the future, a new age of understanding, and a new time of consciousness.
I'm sure most here would agree that the most important work we can do right now is raise our own consciousness as it will raise that of others. You are doing important work here! And as the Dead sang in Fire on the Mountain, "If mercy's a business, I wish it for you."
Peace on ya!
Wetherill used to say it was the information he presented that people had confidence in, not him.
All information is subject to interpretation and that's where the human element comes in. Information is being fed to us on many levels all at once. Two people can see the same data and have an entirely different experience of what it means.
As for me, I'm more interested in wisdom than I am information. What does it mean for me and how can I use it to forward the action of my life? What are the deeper implications? All these elements (and more) lie beyond the surface of what information can convey.
Would love to hear more from you about what you meant by this.
Our journeys through this system of doors
Ends here today with this final door
Opening the way to cosmic eternity, its' awesome
Splendor now yours to behold Dear Ingunn
And those years long past when your door you opened
With grace and love on my return in search of roots
In grief you comforted me while the pained questions
Which haunted me as a child unanswered you sought
With me the truths from lies which others told
With you help through kindness shared, your defense,
Your courage, I survived the return to my home, my roots
As was said once upon a cross so long ago
Forgive them, they understand not
So understood you Dear Ingunn
The burden of my heart
Pained with the years of travel
Lifes' path alone in search of home, family, roots
From where I had come
Your home was my shelter
Your kindness the salve upon my wounds
Your door my roots to my homeland
And here today we have gathered
To celebrate your departure
Through lifes' final door
With us in your departure
You have given
Goodness
Openness
Tenderness
Kindness with generosity
From your love of life
Its' inhabitants have been blessed by your grace
The tenderness of your heart
Your plants and flowers knew
With roots deep into earth
From the soil of our being
Thank you my dearest cousin Ingunn.
Rolf KrogsætherC2012 In Peace 2009
What a beautiful tribute to your cousin! A man of the heart and the hearth, no doubt. A man of the earth and the soil. He is lighting the way still, there beyond earth's final door, illuminating the path upon which you will someday follow.
Many blessings to him and to you, dear friend.,
Judith
Have a fine new year and "Don't Worry, Be Happy". -:)
Rolf
When you go hiking, one thing that's essential is to maintain your vision of where the sun is, which direction a ridge or river runs, which way you're going and which way your destination lies. And as a society, I think that's where we lost our way - we forgot that the destination of the American dream is success, not money. Success isn't financial, it's a life well-lived, for a purpose that comes from deep inside every person. When we remember that, and embrace that, then we'll see the Renaissance in American life.
I remember the movie Apollo 13 - a young engineer spearheaded a team effort save a space crew that was going to die if they didn't bring everything they knew, every effort they could expend and every resource they had to the table. When that crew got out of that space capsule in the Pacific Ocean, it was a culmination of their lives.
I remember my wife patiently tutoring a young 3rd grader many years ago, a young girl with no advantages in life and a significant learning disability; the type of student that our education system couldn't handle. That young girl will graduate high school next year - without Sharon, she likely wouldn't.
This is the American Dream - that we can live purposeful life.
As always, your words express more than face value, and I will, of course, blatantly steal the depth of reason and wisdom therein.
"Live from your vision, not from your circumstances" for me says, "live toward your vision, and create your circumstances."
To my mind, every person has one or more vision seeds within them; one or more paths to achieve the success of passion fulfilled; one or more opportunities to pursue a well lived life, leaving no passion unaddressed, no road untraveled, no challenge untested; and one or more bricks to lay in the rebuilding of the American Dream.
And as for the young girl with the learning disability having no advantages... not completely accurate; she had Sharonm and because of that, she is more likely to live with purpose and be part of the Renaissance...
Lawson
You warm my heart this morning! Your generosity is infectious, the best kind!
Blessings on this day.........
Judith
I woke up thinking about you this morning, and appreciating the depth of wisdom you contribute. I'm always happy to see you here for you have a way of touching the core of whatever it is being offered.
So I offer a word of gratitude to you, and to Sharon, for being who you both are, stellar human beings, who embody the very essence of goodness the world is needing more of today. This is my vision - helping to co-create a world of conscious human beings such as you, who live awakened lives, in service to the greater good.
And so it is...... many blessings for the new year.
Judith
Speaking of pithiness, I look forward to reading your comments for they are always so filled with what can only be called "the pith of it all". You are masterful in cutting right through all the b.s., while recognizing it, too, as a teacher. All is here to serve our awakening.
I don't remember if you've mentioned your diagnosis before, but your response to it is such a reflection of this enlightened awareness you express. You truly "walk the walk" and I am honored that your journey brings you here to share the wisdom gathered along the way.
I am grateful for the reminders you offer about the nature of reality. I hope you're taking notes. There's gold here.
Baruch Bashan, the blessings already are.
Much love,
Judith
Dhyana 1) action passes from outside to inside, 2) something takes over, 3) thoughts and images are obliterated and something we are not able to be conscious of has taken over, 4) one completely surrenders to the inner master and there is complete peace.
Then, in samadhi, one is outside and the action is outside to inside, and one watches the hole, da’ath, the ‘empty room’, formless mind.
Reggie Chee-a-tow
I look forward to this shared journey as well, as we all bring our gems to this space and are made richer for it.
Many thanks,
Judith
I do feel that calling inside of me since New Year cracked open and let me in. But it comes for me not with a rush of busyness but measured pace-fullness, looking for the signs, watching for the guidance about which next economic step to take.
Not about rushing all over the place to accomplish I know not what, but moving in deep consideration with that Greater Which Knows Best.
I keep the vision of a better world in my mind's eye as I contemplate what next action I can complete. When the doubts, fears or insecurities surface, I ride those until they move on.
This inward journey and process is positively rich with wonder and delight! Sounds crazy? Well, it well might. But it is my crazy!
Blessings of love, joy and brilliance to you for 2012,
Anne
As always, I am uplifted by your presence here and by what you contribute.
I have a similar experience with the new opening of this year. I love how you so beautifully put it: "Not about rushing all over the place to accomplish I know not what, but moving in deep consideration with that Greater Which Knows Best." This fits for me too.
And so I breathe deeply into this spaciousness, trusting and knowing that Love is all there is, all is well, and so it is!
Much love and Blessings of the New Year to you,
Judith
I love this from you: " And so I breathe deeply into this spaciousness, trusting and knowing that Love is all there is, all is well, and so it is! " It makes me smile and relax. Thank you.
One of these days we shall meet in person, but who knows where, when or how.... !
Huge love to you,
Anne
I might be able to add some significant items to your list, but for sheer impact, and for most practical everyday purposes, your list, even as open ended as you say it is, will suffice quite well.
I was stifled in my attempt to identify one or two items on the list that provided a particular impact for me, and possibly others; the removal of any would lessen its effect, not to mention its utility. However, for me, Accepting Personal Responsibility, Integrity, Love, and Vision are at the core of any transformation.
The only item I might add (so far) would be Trust: trust in you and others to do the right thing, to have the best intentions, and using you term, to “absofirckinlutely” expect the best from both. Of course expectations will not always be met, but, the combination of love of self and others , personal respect, a grateful heart, and a curious mind blend well as the underpinnings of a well borne attitude, and that takes you long way indeed toward a life well lived.
As for the coming change, as you said in #7, we are one in the same; we are in this together. As we transform, one by one, the numbers mount, the net grows, and the tide turns. I have faith.
Grateful as always,
Lawson
I began a response to you earlier, but what would this be without at least one "robbery" from cyber space! The cyber Gods are at it again. Funny how works.....
Your spot at this gathering is engraved in gold. Your place is kept warm by the love that you bring and share here, by the wisdom and insights you offer.
I look forward to this new year of discovery together.
Many blessings,
Judith
So perhaps then, this is the year when the light gets in. Surely there are plenty of cracks for it to come through.......
Excellent reference with L Cohen.
But I wonder... does that apply to plumbers? :)
Lawson
He was alive alright. "Just another day", he thought to himself. But then he realized that he had always been awake even before this day and even before he was born and christened Timothy. Eternity unfurls its carpet. But when rolled up, all time is compressed into one bundle of fiber. As the carpet's tongue licks the floor time stretches outward creating its future. And yet the two remain coterminous. The carpet remains rolled up but also unfurled thus the simultaneity of eternity and time.
"There is no past, no present, no future but this," Timothy concluded as he reached for the shower curtain.
“The distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion, however persistent. Time is not all what it seems. It does not flow in one direction, and the future exists simultaneously with the past.”
A. Einstein
You and little Timothy are in good company! Who knows, maybe Albert had his epiphany while lathering up... :)
Lawson Meadows
But here's the real question: was the water warm?
But then again . . .
When was it ever this way?
Water droplets
splatter upon the porcelain bottom
Making a plip plop noise.
As the showerhead drips
the porcelain bottom paints the water white.
I do not see Basho
amidst the droplets.
Where has he gone?
It's pretty inevitable, because what could travel faster and be more robust than a piece of news which is true and improves everybody's condition?
As far as the income inequality goes, the only thing that needs to be understood on a wider scale is that thinking of the wealthy as morally "deserving" as opposed to the needy is based on a misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the roots of the very culture in which this thought grew so dominant. It's gotta go and it's gonna go. Because it's not making sense. And it can be known that it's not making sense. Hence it will be known.
You are right! Of course it makes no sense.
The thing about the income inequality that fries by potatoes is the confusion regarding attempts to interweave two concepts: income and happiness.
I agree with your gotta and gonna go imperative regarding the moral or even logical conclusion relative to deserved spoils vs those which are not, as parsed by net worth or income. However, I would point out that “it” probably does make sense to many of those who believe they “deserve” what they got, albeit wrongheaded that thinking really is when the focus is money… things… stuff.
On the other hand, I believe we all deserve to be happy… regardless.
Lawson
You are the ones. It's all about you.
Personal story: what I've been doing here I've tried for a long time and in many places, this is most definitely the first time anyone understood. The old routine was be driven off, lied about, ridiculed. If I were driven off now, so many could take my place. That's a good thing.
But then, you already knew that, didn't you?
Well said: though unfortunately, for many, encouragement might need to be phrased, "Be not afraid to learn from each new day." Too many are struck with a case of mental or emotional timidness and lack the awareness necessary for real acceptance of that which is new to them, and of course there are those who simply fear change...
Lawson Meadows