Though the openhearted do not favor war, it is nevertheless currently necessary. Until humanity is struck with the proverbial 2 x 4 that summarily activates an awakening, how can we choose anew?

Transformation is not easy, to say the least, and for most, begins only after a painful awakening. Profound, lasting change begins with a sudden, unexpected event. Quite suddenly, it shatters that which appeared stable but was actually held in place by fear and illusion. The event arouses, disturbs, causes upheavals and even destroys unsupportive paradigms, relationships and infrastructures. The resulting challenge, demand, loss and pain force reflect upon what is true. Such honest, humble reflection inevitably paves the way for new understanding, perspectives, and ways of being and living. And what was, can never be again, for the soul, once free, will never go back.

As radical change unfolds within individuals, it expands into the collective. This was clearly demonstrated in the mid 1960’s. At that time, did we who witnessed massive rioting, abuse and such, trust... that in time, that rude awakening would inevitably birth a whole new way of being? No, but we rode it out because freedom coursed through our bodies until it was implanted.

Now, according to several studies, about one-fourth of the US population is comprised of Cultural Creatives*. These are the people that have begun to open their hearts, follow their own inner directives, improve and refine themselves, and explore unlimited possibilities. These self-governing people permeate cultures throughout the world. Perhaps you are one.

Yet, as a species, we have far to go. Even so, let’s remember that in humanity’s million-year life, a few decades is only a mere breath or two. That initial awakening of the sixties was successful, but it required severe measures and the loss of life to enunciate its point, whereas now such measures oppose the ultimate objective. This awakening calls us to courageously devote ourselves to embodying the outcome we want i.e., if we want peace, we must be peace.

We can't stop the war but we can love. Moreover, instead of seeing the war as the end, see it as the beginning. Because it is. Instead of resisting, resenting, worrying and such, let us smile as much trust love in our hearts as possible. In time, our devotion will be verified.

“If you keep thinking ‘Man has abused you,’ holding it as a much-cherished grievance, your anger will never be allayed. If you put down that fury-inducing thought, your anger will lessen. Fury will never end fury, it will just ricochet on and on. Only putting it down will end such an abysmal state.” - Sunnata Vagga

*From "The Rise of Integral Culture," in The Noetic Sciences Review, Spring 1996; and The Integral Culture Survey: A Study of the Emergence of Transformational Values in America by Paul H. Ray.

A Gift
Have you been enduring a frustrating time? Do you sincerely want change, but don’t know how to do it? Once a month, I’m offering the gift (no-cost) of one session to one person from my mailing list. If you want this support, please review my website to see if my perspective and style are compatible with yours. If so, email me by June 1st, explaining why your life must change. Keep it to 100 words or less. I will choose one, and personally respond to each. You are cared about.  

© 2003 Marianne Weidlein

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