We are coming to the end of an era. Beginning 35,000 years ago when we were savages, we have evolved because of numerous shifts in consciousness to where we are now. This present level of consciousness is characterized by a disregard of our planet, a disdain of other's problems, an unhealthy greed for money and power, and a religion of materialism that has isolated us in our little protected worlds where we fear to venture out. Our spiritual life is non-existent, merely a shell of dogma and beliefs that do nothing but support, and aid and abet our fearful existence of acquisition.
This untenable level of consciousness has been a direct result of the last shift of consciousness, which occurred around the discovery of America. This led to the Industrial Revolution, with all its abuses and isolationism that resulted in fear and greed. This in turn played out in a race for riches that replaced the spiritual qualities we originally began to realize back in the 500 BC era, just before the terribly impeding Middle Ages when true spirituality became nothing but a political tool of the fanatic and violent religions of the time.
In the 1920's a new, major, evolutionary shift in consciousness began, only to be disrupted by the world wars. After WWII, this shift began to manifest again as love and peace, and temporarily came to the forefront briefly during the Vietnam War. After the war, money and power, or the forces of greed, temporarily took over once more, for the last time during the 80s and 90s, but this was the last gasp of the old consciousness. It is now in the declining stage, and will all but be gone soon.
The new consciousness is a ground swell that will become obvious within the next decade, and perhaps become visible within the next five years. This new consciousness is a radical change in the deepest levels of human beings. It will not happen due to external circumstances. And regardless of what happens in the world, a new set of virtues will emerge. There will be a strong feeling of community again, world community, replacing the feelings of individual isolationism. And there will be drastic changes in everything that we have believed in for the last 700 years. This will be a dramatic, liberating change in every facet of our lifestyles. This will be a shift from the obvious external, to the subtle internal.
The politician, who touches the nerve of this new consciousness by portraying togetherness, compassion and an inner journey where feelings toward our fellow human beings override our greed for personal gain, is the politician who will find great success. It is always a matter of riding the wave of an emerging consciousness rather than leading people. The underlying consciousness of the people are always in the lead. There are never great men and women, only men and women who personify the will of the people, or remind the people that they have changed internally and perhaps aren't even aware of it yet!
The politician who makes the mistake of getting ahead of the people, even though the politician may be visionary, is spurned by the populace because the people are not yet ready. And the politician behind the curve gets left in the dust. Obama might be right on the curve - or he may still be a little ahead of the curve for this election cycle. Not everyone is psychologically ready for the inevitable changes that are coming soon. Some aren't even aware of what's happening yet.
For Barack Obama, only time will tell.
E. Raymond Rock of Fort Myers, Florida is cofounder and principal teacher at the Southwest Florida Insight Center, http://www.SouthwestFloridaInsightCenter.com His twenty-nine years of meditation experience has taken him across four continents, including two stopovers in Thailand where he practiced in the remote northeast forests as an ordained Theravada Buddhist monk. His book, A Year to Enlightenment (Career Press/New Page Books) is now available at major bookstores and online retailers. Visit http://www.AYearToEnlightenment.com
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» left by robert melaccio sr. (308 days 22 hours ago.)
E another though provoking article. I liked "It is always a matter of riding the wave of an emerging consciousness rather than leading people". As you know and stated people are desparate for change and as such they are groping for anything they percieve as bringing it about. While I do not like what Mr. Obama stands for, I do understand the nature of his personality and ability to use his energy to muster support. I for one do not think he is the right one for the job. yet, there are no others and in that regard I think there lies their hope. Best Wishes RTM Respond to this comment
» left by E. Raymond Rock(1,925) E. Raymond Rock (308 days 22 hours ago.)
Thank you so much Robert. Your comments are always great! It should be a interesting election, maybe some surprises?
» left by E. Raymond Rock(1,925) E. Raymond Rock (306 days 8 hours ago.)
Thank you so much Barbara. There seems to be a difference between candidates with vision and candidates with agendas. Agendas seem to be more opinionated than vision which is open to new circumstances. With agendas, we are always living in the past and have blinders on to what is happening right now. It’s a kind of laziness. Living in the moment requires tremendous energy because the moment changes moment to moment.
I tell my meditators that meditation practice is what familiarizes one with the moment and how to live in it. Without meditation, which slows down thought processes, opinions, and agendas so that one can observe them, it’s difficult to see the relevance of all of this.
You seem to intuitively feel something, and that is the important thing. Let’s keep on our toes so that our vision doesn’t turn into agendas where we end up just like the old guard, steeped in greed, hatred and delusion. I always contended that change begins inside us, and that movements and governments can’t do it for us.
Thanks again……….e
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