This is a continuation of our series on Living Transformation, in which we are examining a series of principles essential for creating a new future for humanity. Previous posts in this series can be found here, here, and here.
We don't have to look too far afield to know that we are witnessing the unraveling of the old order. Its systems are crumbling, even as its so-called "leaders" desperately attempt to keep it going. It's like the proverbial "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic." No matter how the chairs are arranged, the Titanic is sinking.
Humanity is already moving into a new paradigm, even as we are standing in the rubble of the old one's demise. In this moment of time, when the chaos and disarray are still mounting and we cannot yet see the formation of what will follow, we can wring our hands and fall into fear, which is how the old domination model has maintained control throughout human history.
Or, we can turn our eyes toward building a future that embodies the principles of "we're all in this together, how can we best serve humanity and the planet?" instead of "how can I profit and benefit at all costs?"
Creating a future that works for everyone and not just the privileged few will require a major shift in consciousness on the part of those who stand to benefit the most by maintaining the old order. It will require a shift in how we view the world and our place in it, how we view our relationship with the earth itself and whether or not we have a responsibility to serve the earth vs. pillaging its resources, including ourselves, into oblivion.
Do we really want to perpetuate the old paradigm espoused by some of today's politicians who preach that we are not here to serve the earth, the earth is here to serve us? This is the epitome of the old paradigm, crafted in a time when the human population could be measured in thousands instead of billions. That kind of thinking long ago outlived its relevance and clearly will not serve humanity going forward.
In our awakening to the work that lies ahead for all of humanity, it is imperative that we get what is being required of us now. We can no longer "live by the sword" as of old. Our "sword," in all of its iterations, from bombs to pepper spray, is being blunted and replaced with awareness.
Take note of what happened at the UC Davis campus in the wake of the pepper spray incidents there a few weeks ago. After brutal pepper spraying at the hands of campus police, students lined up in silent protest as the university's Chancellor, Ms. Katehi, walked past them from her press conference, held to explain and defend her actions. She was forced to hear, in the silence, the true voice of the people. In meeting their eyes, she was forced to see that they were present and wide awake.
The sleeping giant is awakening.
Take note of what happened on the steps of the state capitol in Virginia this week, when thousands, mostly women, came in "silent" protest at the new legislation mandating sonograms and vaginal probes for women seeking abortions. They too stood in silence as their state legislators filed past them on their way to take up discussion on HR-1, the bill in question. As a result of this demonstration by the people, state legislators chose to postpone their discussion. They may ultimately pass this legislation against the will of the people, but they cannot pretend they don't know that the sleeping giant ultimately has a vote.
David and Goliath
These new "weapons" are being used in the confrontation between David and Goliath wherein David, aka the people, is putting Goliath on notice that we are awake, we are watching and we are listening. And we are aware. It is the very thing Goliath fears the most. For in our awakening, we can no longer be manipulated into fear and instead are claiming our voice and our responsibility to use it wisely for the benefit of all.
The sleeping giant, aka humanity, is coming out of its collective slumber and beginning the journey through its own birth canal. We are in the labor pains of delivering ourselves to an entirely new way of relating to ourselves, each other and the planet. In the process, each of us is being called to awaken our own sleeping giant within.
Having just crossed a major threshold in my own life, turning 70 last week, I am aware as never before of the unlived life still awaiting my discovery. I know that I am here to be part of this grand unfolding wherein together, we human beings step up and into a higher expression of consciousness. In this new paradigm, the awakened giant becomes Cupid, using love as the only weapon necessary for the healing of humanity and a return to wholeness.
I welcome this transformative process along with its birth pains. It is our collective labor of love and we are all here to be midwives in the process. It's time to scrub up and begin delivery. Our future is about to arrive.
I welcome your thoughts and comments on this topic. And/or come pay a visit to my personal blog and website at Rx For The Soul. You can reach me for personal contact at judith@judithrich.com.
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Blessings along the path.
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Stretching, Life awakes
Smiles
It seems that virtual nymphs have nibbled my previous comment to pieces leaving the shredded remains for the electronic predatory sprites to feast.
So here is my second attempt nymphs and sprites beware!
Since humanity's dawn the future has been and still remains here. Who knows until when.
I'm so glad your morsel survived and made it to the page!
A question: if the future remains here, is it not then the present? In that sense, it never comes for it's always only now. And in that sense, the title of my post is a bit of a misnomer for it implies that awareness is someplace other than right here.
Who knows until when? When this whole human game is over and we've all graduated to the next classroom that awaits us,, time will be irrelevant. At least that's what I make up about it.
What are your thoughts about that? Curious minds (mine) want to know......
So happy to see you as "regular" in these parts. Cara has already coined the term "cafe" for her community, I like to think of this place as a kind "wisdom well" where readers come and fill their cups and leave some wisdom behind. Welcome!
Namaste,
Judith
And yet our present is our past. It takes a brief period for an event to be consciously registered. While we perceive it as present time it actually has already passed.
And the future is an absence that perpetually moves away from the present. What then is with us is the fact of its receding.
The future and the past are mere concepts. What has passed is no longer and that which comprises our future is not yet. Neither exists. But what of the present. As soon as it occurs it is gone ceasing to exist. So that even the present moment is nothing more than a concept. And yet things exist through time and events play out through this secession of moments.
"Who knows until when? When this whole human game is over and we've all graduated to the next classroom that awaits us. . ."
And when the game is up, there might not be any graduation. Who can claim with certainty that this here is even a classroom? Then what is the point of the ras lila (Skt. cosmic dance)? All that we can reflect upon with any certainty is that this life lived throughout human time is a polyglossia narrative of multi woven stories that in their retelling are retold ever anew
How is Wisdom Well Salon for a name? It might be too wordy though.
I bow to you with joined palms
As individuals, we have a choice to contribute to the birthing of a more whole-some, " aware" humanity and " love as the only weapon necessary for the healing of humanity" fits well. Hate and greed and grasping vs sharing hasn't worked. Love combined with wisdom is a key to opening the birth canal.
Hope you are feeling better Judith.
Thank you all for your comments.
P.
If I weren't already a fan, I'd fan you again. This deserves to be read by everyone passing this way.
Thank you for the kind thoughts. I am feeling much better. Must have been a 24 hr. bug. Thank G-d it had its way with me in short order and went on to greener pastures! I've no time for such nonsense as being sick. I've got a lot of living to pack into these 20 years!
Many blessings your way my dear,
Judith
I thought it was 25 years !! :)
Thankful you are feeling better.
Blessings back @ you.
Patricia
What you wrote appears to be more than one... thought. :)
I liked your presentation of the birthing process as a path to transformation's fruition. Fair warning, I will blatantly steal it for my own examples in the future!
However, I believe there was one small comment you made that many women might find inaccurate: "These changes can at times appear to be unpleasant..." According to my wife and other ladies in my family, some WERE unpleasant! But, you were correct that the end, the amazing product virtually always supplants those memories. New life will do that you know!
You have another fan!
Lawson Meadows
I like to think ( dream?) that we are all " one thought" in the "mind" of the creative Life Force and that all thoughts come from the same Source so, there is nothing to "steal." However, Judith is the conduit as her call for us to be "midwives" was the incentive. It was merely a simplification of what I read in her article. Another example of how we are all connected :)
I am certain that with your loving and wise energy, you will be able to word it much better than I ever could. I read and value your comments and I marvel at your " gift" of expression. The idea of " tipping dominoes" keeps replaying in my mind ever since I read that.
Thank you, & the fanning is appreciated !
Warm regards,
Pat
Regarding our attachment to “stuff,” I thought excerpts from a couple of posts I made to DaMoKi.com a while back might be of some interest…
“Gimmie more Stuff:”
“It seems much of our culture is mired in the worship of stuff to the point of self-evaluation and self-worth being dependent on which stuff we have. In the end, our children would receive greater benefit if we focus our efforts on educating today’s parents regarding the bad stuff about stuff. This would enable them to adjust their behaviors and influence their children in a manner that would prime them for a future filled with a greater appreciation of the inner stuff over the outer stuff, and the relative value of each… the inner stuff is all that matters when you are driven by your passion down the road toward your purpose in life."
“The Next New Thing:”
“The ability to gain internal satisfaction, approval, and even status, and then measure oneself against your potentials and capabilities, may not be the next new thing, but it would be the next ‘Right’ thing. When you rely on your talents, behaviors, self-evaluation, and judgment, you are better able to learn from mistakes, heal your wounds, and reach your potentials as you pursue our passions.”
The question is, who is in charge of our transformation, us or our stuff? :)
Lawson
“This would enable them to adjust their behaviors and influence their children in a…”
“The question is, who is in charge of our transformation, us or our stuff? :)
I think we can both agree it’s the million dollar question. As best I can answer; If the individual doesn’t start with that question, answer honestly and make it their aim, then no telling where they’ll end up.
See my reply to J&C.....
I know this sounds like a Hallmark card, but it's absolutely true! And I now have a long history of evidence from which to speak. So listen up.....y'all.
Glad to see you here, as always. How goes it with you these days?
Much love,
Judith
As Sarah Ban Breathnach says "Let's choose today to quench our thirst for the 'good life' we think others lead by acknowledging the good that already exists in our lives. We can then offer the universe the gift of our grateful hearts."
Ms Sarah, besides writing some fine books, also said, "The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do." Which folds in very well with her concept you presented about each of us choosing today to quench our thirst for the "good life" through the realization that, in our minds, and with our grateful hearts, the good life can already be... already is.
Sharing this realiztion with others - encouraging others to do the same - is the point... i believe.
Lawson
You are a sister! Love to you,
Judith
"so many starve with so much food on the table.".... Again yes! And we're talking more than literal food here, aren't we? We live in an abundant universe. All that we need has already been supplied, including all the love, joy, and peace we could ever want.
As you say, our only task is to become aware of the true nature of reality and know that it already is. That's the whole human game on this plane.
A couple of excerpts from a Wendell Berry poem from "Given", about war in general and, I'm sure, the war in Iraq in particular:
Come to your windows, people of the world,
look out at whatever you see wherever you are,
and you will see dancing upon it that shadow.
You will see that your place, wherever it is,
your house, your garden, your shop, your forest, your farm,
bears the shadow of its destruction by war
which is the economy of greed which is plunder
which is the economy of wrath which is fire.
The Lords of War sell the earth to buy fire,
they sell the water and air to buy fire,
they are little men grown great by willingness
to drive whatever exists into its perfect absence.
Their intention to destroy any place is solidly founded
upon their intention to destroy every place.
(Last stanza)
Leave your windows and go out, people of the world,
go into the streets, go into the fields, go into the woods
and along the streams. Go together, go alone.
Say no to the Lords of War which is Money
which is Fire. Say no by saying yes
to the air, to the earth, to the trees,
yes to the grasses, to the rivers, to the birds
and the animals and every living thing, yes
to the small houses, yes to the children. Yes.
to drive whatever exists into its perfect absence."
What is happening today is exactly what Berry encourages us to do..... people are going out into the streets, into the parks, into the town squares, etc. and saying no to the Lords of War and yes to the children. And hopefully, come next Nov. they will speak with a loud, clear voice at the ballot box as well.
Instead of Occupy protests, let's put a few thousand people on TV running a 10K to benefit Planned Parenthood.
We tend to hope our government will lead us to solutions. That's backward. We will lead government to solutions if solutions happen. That's how the world works. And we won't lead anyone anywhere from our couches.
I just organized a little drive to benefit Planned Parenthood in honor of my 70th birthday last week. I didn't want people to give me gifts, but instead donate to PP. Many who did are asking others to do the same, and so it goes.
I love your spirit and the light that shines through you!
Much love to you,
Judith
Many believe change is coming: some welcome it; some don’t. There are those who don’t believe it’s coming; they will be surprised… as they always are.
The investment in personal gain often masquerades as well intended actions; the real purpose of which is manipulation to convince others as to the efficacy of the manipulator’s ideas… awareness is the only defense in the face of imposing forces designed to maintain status quo for individuals both with and without status, money, power, influence, and the wherewithal to affect particulars in the process.
Yes, there is great potential for cultural paradigm change where the sun sets on the old and rises on the new. The danger is the historical tendency to push for change only as far as we perceive it necessary for our individual benefit. My fervent hope is for an expansion of perspective and expectation by the vast majority, where each individual's goal is the confluence of individual and universal gain, leading to the development of an extended depth of field to include both present and future goals, along with a widening field of vision beyond the traditional egocentric perspective of necessity.
As Anne said below; our task is to be aware of, embrace, and celebrate the principles of a caring human community. To love each other as equals is the first domino.
Let’s tip over as many as possible.
Lawson
On a personal note, I'm keeping my comments short as I'm fighting off flu-like symptoms. Think the Birthday Fairy worked overtime last weekend and I'm still recovering. Hopefully, this "thing" will have its way with me and pass through quickly.
All the best to you,
Judith
My heart I gave you one early morning
so long ago when the meadows
were wet with dew
So often now I do recall
a not forgotten distant fall
when all my world was you
And in the morning of our spring
new life began to grow
and he learned so fast
at just how little
we really do know
And then our spring did pass away
as our flower began to bloom
and low in my heart when summer came
I felt the unseen doom
For in distant lands with red stained sands
a spankled banner did lie
and on her stars and across her bars
many a flower did die
Now our fall has ceased its' call
and our blossom is no more
for in distant lands with red stained sands
the peddles from our flower were tore
In silence, each others' hands we do hold
as the worn out reasons for our flower to fall
are again and again retold
Under a flag our flower does lie
so red with the tears
of humanities' cry
And on this flag the colors not three
with stars above and bars below
for all humanity to see.
Rolf Krogsæther C.1975
Wow, this was written over 35 years ago. You've been a voice for consciousness as long as I have. How good it is to know there are kindred spirits on the path......
Many blessings, dear friend,
Judith
Yes the poem was written in 75 though published with a small collection in 1978. Not popular stuff in 78.
Many blessings to you also Judith and as I have said before, a thankfull joy to be here.
Rolf
Very much so. I really wouldn't want to be in a position whose power depends on its continued ability to manipulate the worldviews of others, or even of the majority.
Because what could be more fragile than that? It seems pretty clear to me that the manipulators are coming closer to the end of their roads. It's abundantly obvious that their approach will no longer work. It's just not reliable to build a worldview that can be proven wrong with a handful of mouseclicks on wikipedia.
If I could fan you again, I would. And you are definitely Fav'd!
It boggles the mind to see and hear today's pols mouthing one thing, when their every word is recorded and can be played back to remind them of what they said in direct opposition the day before. Awareness and information is what will tear down the walls of hypocrisy that perpetuate the old order. And it is already happening......
A key word that leaps out to me is awareness, and the power of it. That awakening into greater awareness, and love being the awakener.
The press that tells us what is going on has been in the hands of the old school, relatively small in number. The voices - even silent voices - of the greater majority far outnumber them. That gets to be really interesting from my point of view.
Silent action speaks volumes. We see the numbers of people who show up to protest on our mobile phones, or any of the other social media formats. They do get reported.
I feel that it is not for us to be overly concerned with what is taking place, but to embrace the principles of a caring humanity - and to celebrate that human community, appreciating what it is to be alive and collectively endowed with so many strengths, qualities, creativity and inherent goodness.
Blessed times indeed!
With loving and joy to you,
Anne
We have never actually met face to face, and yet I know that who you are embraces "the principles of a caring humanity - and to celebrate that human community, appreciating what it is to be alive and collectively endowed with so many strengths, qualities, creativity and inherent goodness."
You literally ARE a celebrant! What an amazing way to contribute to the uplifting of the human condition. Good work! :-)
I'm grateful for our connection,
Judith
I too am very grateful for our connection. I hope you are feeling better now - bugs be gone!
With love,
Anne
We can point to the rule-based systems of law and science and praise modernity. And we can observe those of capitalism and communism and say how dreadful it all is.
The change of paradigm to the postmodern as expressed by new age spirituality movements, comprises a restoration of the human individual spirit which replaces both the materialistic atheism of modernity and the institutional religiosity of premodernity.
But there is more to the change of paradigm than that. There is also the shift from collective compliance systems to consent-systems which, taking the form of extreme individualism, give rise to great sympathy for anarchism. The far right of the Tea Party and the far left of Occupy are both anarchist.
We are also moving from the objective to the subjective. In the spiritual movement this is a move to free the individual from ideological imposition. But in the political culture it is becoming a process whereby people are manipulated by playing to their known prejudices. Politicians change what they say according to the demographic. Marketing is ubiquitous and non-factual. We were citizens, now consumers. Feelings are everything. Truth? A modern illusion.
Counter-pressures to the new paradigm are seen in the rise of activist atheism (modernity strikes back), and literalist religions (premodernity strikes back).
That the far right of the Tea Party and the far left of Occupy are both anarchist may be true. But it only proves that these extremes may not be where the real political action is. Because being political doesn't necessarily mean being on the Street. It means to participate consciously in the process of democracy and global communication. Anarchism is ultimately not political at all. It's lazy.
"Anarchism is ultimately not political at all. It's lazy."
Great point! Well said...
Lawson
You are concerned with the world as you would like it to be, as you think it should be. I am concerned with what I see going on.
You say neither activist atheism or religion are on the rise. I see a war of civilizations based upon the revivalism of paradigms of premodernity. Atheism is on the rise across the West. As is religious extremism. Soft views are on the decline. Irrationality is on the rise. This is polarization.
Science blending with new age notions is a trend within the paradigm. It is one set of a great series of changes underway. Its significance may be marginal, perhaps something more. Time will tell.
Changes in paradigm do not comprise one set of actions fulfilling one set of desires of one group. Life is not so simple. Much is happening out of our control. Your notion is limited to a single small area of events. Not nearly approaching the whole.
The whole is unpredictably chaotic. More so each day.