Friday, February 8, 2008 at 12:12am
Expanding our consciousness
Column: Our Place in the Universe
Even though the moon was just past full and winking at me through the clouds, I still stumbled on the path. Occasionally I will use my walking stick at night to keep my balance. I find it much more difficult to navigate the narrow path of the labyrinth at night than in the light of day. That is, until I opened my eyes to see.
Sometimes I'll reach out with both hands and extend roots from my palms deep into the earth to keep my balance. But this time I tried to do that, extend my roots into the earth, with my eyes alone, and walk on the path as if it were broad daylight. The path became palatably broader, lending a more secure reality to my footing. It also added another layer of "ah ha" to my consciousness.
This seems to be the time in our lives to be expanding our consciousness. There is a range that can be seen from the much quoted "Power of Positive Thinking" to the popularity of new age, Buddhist or Yoga techniques to enhance our "personal best." Shifting from the traditional religions of our parents, instead spirituality is becoming more acceptable as a part of life.
Even my mom in her 80s is willing to receive my Reiki treatments and try out the meditation CD that my sister sent her. The medical profession in general is more accepting of the success that alternative measures have had in aiding the healing process, and is even willing to admit the influence that a religious way of life has on recovery.
The culture we seem to be evolving into with our entrance into the 21st century is one in which humankind is seen as a mediator between the substantial and the non-substantial worlds. "Cultural Creatives" is the term coined by Paul Ray to explain this new breed of human. He/she is a person who is deeply spiritual but not dogmatic, committed to technology and prosperity but not at the cost of the environment or the community, and willing to understand the world holistically and inclusively while realizing the dangers of corporate globalization.
I see a few red flags that must be brought to our attention as we get on with the business of uncovering new memes. One is a conceit or hubris that can go both ways when we acknowledge that we are indeed the microcosm of the larger macrocosm. Either we will say that our species is one among many species, and in a false humility abnegate our responsibility to contribute our unique gifts of compassion and knowledge of the whole of creation, thus contributing to the creativity of the cosmos.
Or we will see ourselves as creators above the laws of the universe, and, as we have been doing, continue to create things that are outside the law and therefore harmful to the rest of creation. Although our technology has invented innumerable time-saving and incredible products, some of these can be neither recycled nor reused, the destruction of which release deadly toxins that foul all other natural resources. This is neither wise nor compassionate. It is a pseudo-creativity leading to destruction, based on selfishness.
I can see two patterns that have emerged with this understanding. One is that any ideology we follow must become a way of life and not just a way of thinking. A way of life involves traditions, rituals and practices that don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. In other words, for example, don't promote women's values at the expense, or to the detriment, of masculine pride or position. One does not negate the other, but both are needed for a complete life.
The other pattern is that of the relationship between "I" and "we," or the purpose of the individual and the purpose of the whole. In traditional cultures, the individual's purpose was decided by the purpose and needs of the community. In one way, this enhanced a sense of community and solidarity. However, the individual's needs were met and set by the community, with the individual's uniqueness playing little part.
Once again our habit to take something to the extreme arose as we then turned around and extolled individualism, often at the price of turning our back on socialization, common decency or respect. The root is most important for the clarity and strength of the connection. Without "I" there is no "we," but the purpose of our lives comes into existence and multiplies only in relation to the whole. Both are needed, and both live for the sake of the other. It is the connections that "I" make that produce the result of a beautiful life.
Next week I want to talk more about how this idea of an expanded consciousness can take place practically, realistically and intentionally, guiding and shaping our way into the future.
— — —
Anne E. Ulvestad is a free-lance writer residing in Maryland. Having gotten her MA in earth literacy, she is now embarking on the further adventures of a Ph.D. in Wisdom Studies. She is available for public lectures and group presentations and rituals on Spirituality and the Environment. Anne can be reached at {email anne@ourplaceintheuniverse.com}anne@ourplaceintheuniverse.com{/email}. © Copyright 2008 by Anne E. Ulvestad.
Sometimes I'll reach out with both hands and extend roots from my palms deep into the earth to keep my balance. But this time I tried to do that, extend my roots into the earth, with my eyes alone, and walk on the path as if it were broad daylight. The path became palatably broader, lending a more secure reality to my footing. It also added another layer of "ah ha" to my consciousness.
This seems to be the time in our lives to be expanding our consciousness. There is a range that can be seen from the much quoted "Power of Positive Thinking" to the popularity of new age, Buddhist or Yoga techniques to enhance our "personal best." Shifting from the traditional religions of our parents, instead spirituality is becoming more acceptable as a part of life.
Even my mom in her 80s is willing to receive my Reiki treatments and try out the meditation CD that my sister sent her. The medical profession in general is more accepting of the success that alternative measures have had in aiding the healing process, and is even willing to admit the influence that a religious way of life has on recovery.
The culture we seem to be evolving into with our entrance into the 21st century is one in which humankind is seen as a mediator between the substantial and the non-substantial worlds. "Cultural Creatives" is the term coined by Paul Ray to explain this new breed of human. He/she is a person who is deeply spiritual but not dogmatic, committed to technology and prosperity but not at the cost of the environment or the community, and willing to understand the world holistically and inclusively while realizing the dangers of corporate globalization.
I see a few red flags that must be brought to our attention as we get on with the business of uncovering new memes. One is a conceit or hubris that can go both ways when we acknowledge that we are indeed the microcosm of the larger macrocosm. Either we will say that our species is one among many species, and in a false humility abnegate our responsibility to contribute our unique gifts of compassion and knowledge of the whole of creation, thus contributing to the creativity of the cosmos.
Or we will see ourselves as creators above the laws of the universe, and, as we have been doing, continue to create things that are outside the law and therefore harmful to the rest of creation. Although our technology has invented innumerable time-saving and incredible products, some of these can be neither recycled nor reused, the destruction of which release deadly toxins that foul all other natural resources. This is neither wise nor compassionate. It is a pseudo-creativity leading to destruction, based on selfishness.
I can see two patterns that have emerged with this understanding. One is that any ideology we follow must become a way of life and not just a way of thinking. A way of life involves traditions, rituals and practices that don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. In other words, for example, don't promote women's values at the expense, or to the detriment, of masculine pride or position. One does not negate the other, but both are needed for a complete life.
The other pattern is that of the relationship between "I" and "we," or the purpose of the individual and the purpose of the whole. In traditional cultures, the individual's purpose was decided by the purpose and needs of the community. In one way, this enhanced a sense of community and solidarity. However, the individual's needs were met and set by the community, with the individual's uniqueness playing little part.
Once again our habit to take something to the extreme arose as we then turned around and extolled individualism, often at the price of turning our back on socialization, common decency or respect. The root is most important for the clarity and strength of the connection. Without "I" there is no "we," but the purpose of our lives comes into existence and multiplies only in relation to the whole. Both are needed, and both live for the sake of the other. It is the connections that "I" make that produce the result of a beautiful life.
Next week I want to talk more about how this idea of an expanded consciousness can take place practically, realistically and intentionally, guiding and shaping our way into the future.
— — —
Anne E. Ulvestad is a free-lance writer residing in Maryland. Having gotten her MA in earth literacy, she is now embarking on the further adventures of a Ph.D. in Wisdom Studies. She is available for public lectures and group presentations and rituals on Spirituality and the Environment. Anne can be reached at {email anne@ourplaceintheuniverse.com}anne@ourplaceintheuniverse.com{/email}. © Copyright 2008 by Anne E. Ulvestad.