Many of us know that we have reached the end of the consumer society and the end of the model of growth as we know it. Even our pyramid scheme, the way we use money, will not be able to rescue us.
Economic growth as we know it is now over. The matter minded ideologies of communism and capitalism are "left-over" skeletons of a past and examples of "limited dogmatic thinking." The notion of capitalistic "greed" will soon be considered a mental malaise as it has brought untold suffering to literally all life on earth. The party of superficial abundance is over and we are on the brink of developing a new post-carbon civilization. The sooner we face this reality the better will be our chance to re/co-create a new socio-econimoic model based on spiritual and neo-humanistic values for the good and benefit of all life. How to accomplish such a transition, the birth of a new post-carbon civilization, however, is a question many of us are still struggling with. We need a new model which guarantees food, clothe, shelter, medical care, education, work, and spiritual values to one and all people, and that... as always, in the spirit of service and blessedness for all beings. The human body is valuable, as it is perfectly designed for spiritual pursuits of self-realization. In addition, to ease the load on the planet, it becomes clear that not all of us need to create ever new well deserving kids who will suffer unlucky incarnations right now, in an overly changing negative paradigm, leading them into unfavorable conditions of further unfathomable suffering. Indeed, if we think about it, we come to the conclusion that we are free to develop other living models to help the planet to survive into happiness. For instance, becoming a service minded, creative single yogi or yogini, who chooses to even remain childless in order to serve and help the planet earth to go through this huge transition, may be a huge help of setting an example of new ways of living, especially in the West. Even the traditional notion of the archetype, "the traditional married couple," or the heavily Disney advertised "ever loving girl- and boy-friend archetype," needs to be seriously challenged and questioned. Who can really live up to these models, which are nothing but immature attempts to sedate and project our conflicted emotional body in and onto another person (what a burden!), as the perfect reflection and hence attraction of our own personal dysfunction from imprinting of earlier years of life? Most of us know already that this model, sold by capitalism as the ultimate dream of happiness, rarely works out without maturity and spiritual training. Perhaps in near future many more may choose to voluntarily make space for all beings of the planet so that we all may have a chance to live together in balance. Our choices to create children will perhaps be given a "compassionate LET GO," as we realize how easy it is to really steer this body towards its well-designed purpose the happy self-realized states of conscious presence, often known as "Anandam" or "true happiness." Much wisdom, virtue and self-restraint will be required of us in future as we need to learn to be examples ourselves of how to go through dramatic global transitions with the highest spirit and intention. At this point, we may need all the pointers we can get to train our heart and mind to see everything as sacred, no matter what happens, and even in the midst of a possible destructive transformation, which is a scenario which most of us are not ready to think about.
Quote, "The book 'Sacred Demise' by Baker's central point is that the death of our cultural identity can be a spiritual opening for us, an opportunity to cast off our egocentric way of living (we are a "culture of two-year-olds," she says) and reclaim the ecocentric awareness of our indigenous heritage--a life in harmony with the pulsating vitality of the earth. This is the only way of living that has intrinsic meaning and purpose, that is spiritually and existentially nourishing, and the time has come to reconnect with it.
As with all major transitions in life, this "quantum shift" in consciousness will be psychologically difficult; the loss of "much of what we have held dear in civilization" will engender disorientation, distress, and deep grief. Sacred Demise is essentially an invitation to surrender to this emotional upheaval, to learn from it and allow it to deepen and mature us. Baker describes personal and communal practices we can use to turn cultural disintegration into a collective rite of passage, through which the limitations and mistakes of our immature worldview may be purged and transformed.
Sacred Demise draws on the wisdom of deep thinkers from various traditions; Carl Jung's insights inform much of her discussion, as do the indigenous African teachings of Malidoma Somé, the research of Jared Diamond and the spirituality of Thomas Moore and Eckhart Tolle, among others. Baker brings in many relevant and moving poems, and suggests a series of exercises for self-reflection. Weaving these elements with her own insights, Baker has given us a beautiful vision of humanity reconnecting with our ancient roots and with the Earth, finding spiritual resources to endure the coming apocalypse. For Baker, collapse opens possibilities for transformation."
Perhaps this book will help us to face our fears and prepare our minds better for a time of change. May this change be seen as most sacred.
Link to the book :-) Abundance comes from the bliss of the heart and realizing that 'less stuff means more time for inner happiness.'
When we are able to see ourselves from the highest light, we maybe able to see the other as divine being of the highest light as well. Their tears are ours and so are their smiles. We share all of that. Service then will not be based on co-dependent ego-needs but based on that which enriches the wellspring of inner heart. A rich heart, cultivated with the highest intention will bring forth the bright future we all have been longing for since the birth of the galactic universe.
In retrospect, the party is not over yet. We will only shift the focus to the inside, while doing loving service to the outside - we create from the inside out. It has been done before!
Om Shanti!
