Transition, Gathering and Convergence in 2010
THE transition to some kind of new world order continues its relentless march, gradually destroying our hopes for a return to previous expectations as it does so.
It becomes more obvious that the global economy has created dangerous imbalances. It is difficult to see how the power structures that led us into this mess can possibly lead us out of it without a total transformation of thinking and emphasis. And yet even with all this uncertainty a new hope is steadily arising from the most unexpected places.
Beneath the rubble of our many disappointments something stirs, which is a transformative energy that is more a wandering cloud than anything tangible, but it becomes real enough if you can experience it directly. It would seem that we need only turn away from the discredited illusions of the present systems to find that this energy is ready and waiting to help guide us to a new world order of our own making.
Many more are considering the traditional values of frugality, kinship and community, which is often part of the journey towards a rediscovered spiritual dimension. As the problems and crises of an unsustainable global economy continue to pile up a new consciousness is arising. One that understands the only power structure we can trust is the one we provide for ourselves.
Transition 2010
This new consciousness carries with it a transformative energy that can bring about significant change. This transformative energy is often supported by a mysterious feeling of guidance that seems entirely suited to our direct personal needs and circumstances.The evidence is elusive and fragmentary but once shared it converges around similar experiences like synchronicity, or the arrival of information, knowledge and connections that are exactly right for the moment.
It all adds to a sense of being gently ushered towards greater and deeper understandings of what needs to be done, both for the individual and by graded extension the world in general. Once the strangeness of the experience is overcome and the guidance is accepted, it can promote a new confidence that supports self empowerment.
‘The earth is all before me. With a heart joyous, not scared of its liberty, I look about and should the chosen guide be nothing more than a wandering cloud, I cannot miss my way’.- William Wordsworth
In one of his recent articles Rick Smyre quotes Vaclav Havel, first President of the new Czech Republic as follows, "There are good reasons for suggesting that the modern age has ended. Many things indicate that we are going through a transition period ...it is as if something were crumbling, decaying and exhausting itself, while something else, still indistinct, were arising from the rubble."
Havel the poet and then Havel the revolutionary leader knew something about the power of the individual with a seemingly impossible and indistinct dream. But it is Havel the first President of his post communist country who might give us the greatest inspiration in this matter of self empowered transitions. If not Havel try Nelson Mandela as a model of what is possible when the individual awakens to the full potential of their own power.
Therefore we need to gather the Havel and Mandela spirit en masse and create a positive can do consciousness that leads us to life, rather than accept our present relentless march towards corruption and decay. Fortunately a gathering momentum for life is now powerfully underway.
The Gathering Momentum
In her essay ‘The Great Turning as Compass and Lens’ Joanna Macy describes this gathering momentum for positive and proactive change as The Great Turning.
Whether by choice or compulsion many more of us are turning away from the false promises of an economic, political and social system that is driven by an insane culture of life destroying greed and consumerism. The hypnotic trance of consumerist illusions are being steadily shattered to force an awakening to the dangers we face. Macy describes it as follows;
‘The Great Turning invites us to lift our eyes from the cramped closet of short term thinking and see the larger historical landscape. What a difference it makes to view our efforts as part of a vast enterprise, a tidal change commensurate to the crisis we face.’
I would like to suggest that this awakening to the realities of our present destructive path could be the most important event in human history. It is the point on the Titanic when the passengers finally awaken to the true nature of their predicament. An instinctive ordering then instantly transforms priorities. We are presently witnessing this instinctive ordering of priorities on a global scale.
The power of this transformational process is like a river that grows with each new drop of self empowerment that flows into it.The gathering momentum for life will quite literally decide our future on earth. Therefore it has to be expected that the universal spirit of life will most certainly arrive to support and guide us, if we simply ask for that support with sincerity and confidence.
The river that grows in strength and power is the natural and beautiful image for this convergence of positive intention. Examples of this new consciousness are many and they are emerging from a myriad of different efforts all focused towards mutual support, encouragement and the search for unity and wholeness with our Mother Earth.
Convergence
The Transition Town movement founded by Rob Hopkins and Naresh Giangrande has seen a spectacular leap in interest and participation since 2006. With a small handful of staff based in Totnes in the UK they are creating community based initiatives that rebuild resilience and reduce CO2 emissions.
We learn from examples like this how the momentum for change develops. With that kind of participation nothing can stop this transformative power from flowing towards its final destination, which is a world renewed. But it needs to be strengthened by the addition of many more individual intentions working towards a common goal.
That common goal is best summarised in eternal truths like Love, Beauty, Wisdom and Harmony etc. These are the unifying principles that will guide us towards a new dawn for humanity. Our diverse efforts converge when we each make our best efforts to engage with the spirit of these eternal truths. We take the first step towards that dream when we finally decide to be the change we want to see in the world.
What I do is live
Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
When we do take that first step we become part of this great momentum for positive change. By simply intending to become part of it and then sticking with it, we gradually find that the circumstances, connections and knowledge that we need to support that pilgrimage gathers to converge around us.
With the benefit of that personal experience we can then be sure that our individual transition is welcomed as an integral and critical part of the whole. Best not to believe me or anyone else, it will be better if you go and find out for yourself. Then you will discover by direct experience just how powerful this transformative energy can be.
There has never been a moment like this. Everything depends on what we do next. If we make that pilgrimage with humility, peace and love, then the universal spirit of life will be at our side every step of the way.
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