We are living in a time of tremendous change and upheaval, on many levels. We are experiencing these changes in virtually every sphere of our lives: 1) Physically, in the natural/material world with a seemingly never-ending series of environmental crises - which also correlates with our bodies and the litany of health-related challenges so many people face now due to poor nutrition and the impurities in our air, water, and food supplies. 2) Interpersonally, in our relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, as many people are forced to confront life-altering roles and responsibilities brought about by aging parents, families losing their jobs and homes, retirees running out of money, and children growing up in a high-tech, latch-key world largely devoid of values. 3) Socially, as obsolete cultural institutions inevitably rot from within due to fraud, corruption, sex-abuse scandals, and endless war, and long-standing government regimes topple under the forces of revolution. 4) Globally, as the booming world population experiences the planet actually shrinking thanks to the instantaneous connection speed of the internet - and simultaneously wonders what will become of the human collective.
So that's the backdrop. All things considered, we've not seen changes of this magnitude since the 1960's, which, according to noted Bay Area astrologer Jessica Murray, were the cause that created the echo effect we're experiencing now. Apparently The Beatles, JFK, RFK, MLK, and Vietnam were only the beginning. Murray says "we've incarnated into a time of explosive social turmoil. I think our souls wanted action." But amidst all this chaos and turmoil, more than anything else these times we live in are an opportunity: a chance for incredible personal and spiritual transformation. The echoes of the 60's we're hearing are a clarion call to go deep within, to change ourselves and our world.
Given that these changes are occurring whether we want it or not, and whether we like it or not, the real questions then are these: how can we maximize this opportunity, so we not only survive the changes but actually thrive within them? How can we be, and what can we do, to really go deep, to suck every last drop of the juice out of this time, and embrace the chance we've been given - the chance of our lifetime. Because this is it. The time is now. There is no turning back, no going back to the old days or the old ways, no shrinking from this moment. Shakespeare said "all the world's a stage" and we are living in a time when each must play their part in the drama unfolding before us. Are you ready?
I believe what is most needed, what is required of each of us, in the years ahead - and just to clarify, I'm looking at the next 10 years as an absolutely critical timeframe in our joint evolution - is consciousness. But what do I mean by consciousness? Why is it so important now? Why is it the single most indispensable principle we all must cultivate at this time? There are several ways of understanding consciousness. Superficially, it means being awake, being aware, and paying attention. On a deeper level, consciousness means activating all our senses - and not just the 5 we most commonly use to go about our everyday lives. Consciousness means being present - Be * Here * Now - to a degree that you can actually transcend time and space and realize the Divine beauty and perfection that is all around you.
While consciousness alters the way we experience the outer world, it begins within. It begins with you. When you awaken, become aware, pay attention, and are present to what is unfolding around you, then you can access certain abilities and make certain connections that in turn enable you to consciously, proactively, intentionally, create your new life. You literally become a conscious co-creator, working with God/Goddess/All That Is to create the deep transformation you want to experience in your life. The result is like a ripple that becomes a wave on the ocean...as the positive effect of each person waking up impacts everyone else it touches. This is not an ego exercise - in fact, quite the opposite. Contrary to typical motivational techniques, this is not about setting goals, or making plans, or mapping out your success; although you may do those things. This is about surrendering to the flow that is already present, already happening all around you right now, and aligning yourself with that flow to create a new life, a new humanity, and ultimately a new world.
We can begin by consciously tuning in to the material world, which is reflected in our physical bodies and the natural environment. Proper diet, exercise, and health will all be critical in the challenging times ahead. Gardening in general, and growing our own food in particular, are both wonderful ways to simultaneously heal ourselves, increase our physical vitality, and consciously connect our souls to the living spirit of our Earthly Mother. Consciousness in relationships means setting aside petty disagreements of the past, practicing forgiveness, and recognizing that only by uniting in the spirit of cooperation can we create the lives we want. Emotionally, we all want and need to feel loved and appreciated. What better way to experience those beautiful, positive vibrations than to radiate them out to others as frequently as possible. It never ceases to amaze me how differently people respond to one another when they sense genuine caring and compassion.
Consciousness in society means recognizing that the old paradigms that were based on fear and greed are dying - and then letting them go. If they weren't sustainable in the first place, there's no point in trying to resuscitate them. Better to let them die, and instead focus our individual and collective energies on fresh, new ideas and bold new inventions that serve our greatest needs without enriching the few at the expense of the many. Similarly, we all must be courageous enough to look within ourselves and with all honesty confront those ingrained thoughts of division, selfishness, and superiority that we've held. Our lower nature actually thrives on unconsciousness...feeling, thinking, saying and doing the same things over and over. In order to be cre-ative and pro-active, we need to stop being re-active.
Consciousness in the global community means opening our minds to realizing that we are all much more alike than we are different, and opening our hearts to let that new sense of unity take root and grow. The divide-and-conquer politics of the past are history; humanity can no longer afford the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual toll of living a fundamental lie by thinking ourselves separate and not equal. As we consciously evolve and awaken to our true nature as spiritual beings living in a material world, we will learn to apply our new-found wisdom to the well-being of the collective. Yes, we each have our own karma, our own lessons to learn, and each person must walk their own unique path to their highest destiny. But we all share this planetary classroom, and our mission is to create heaven on Earth, together.
The essence of consciousness is that of the Divine reflecting upon itself, in perfect peace and harmony. When we finally recognize that we are part of that Oneness, and that we can choose to experience it in every moment - within ourselves, within each other, within nature, and in Spirit - then the infinite universe of perfection, possibility and potentiality opens up and welcomes you in. It's all there, just waiting for you. Still your body and it's there. Close your eyes and it's there. Silence your mind and it's there. Open your heart and it's there.
Wake up!
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