Waking up

In the beginning, it was all about survival.

And then art, commerce and rational intellect.

Now?

What's the next stage of our evolution?

You'd like to think something more worldcentric but it doesn't feel like that.

It feels like we're reverting to type; namely, we're in egocentric mode, where it's all about me, me, me.

I know there are small pockets here and there where people have come together in community and still others where a meme of rediscovery (of a more beautiful world) has built and continues to build a purposeful Tribe but it's still so small compared to the rest of us.

Even in the workplace, it's shameful to see how little we collaborate internally, let alone outwith.

Of course, once again, I'm merely reporting on a blinding-flash-of-the-obvious, but then again, it can't hurt for me and everyone who cares about their community or better still this beautiful planet to move from the handwringing mode -- "I'm powerless to effect change" -- to a space, virtual or otherwise, where they choose to care, they choose to make a difference and they choose to get off their hands and do something else apart from look out for number 1.

But then again, knowing our species, I suspect we'll have to wait long after I'm dead and a shock of such epic proportion for us to wake up to the mess we've made of this once magical place.

Blessings as always,

Julian

Photo by Mike Enerio

Back to nature

I'm just back from my daily walk with Alfie and Fidget.

I managed to stay dry right until the end when the heavens opened; Alfie didn't mind; Fidget looked like she'd had enough.

For me, the daily walk isn't just a way of raising my heart rate and enjoying the fresh air -- both very important -- it's a way to connect, deeply.

In fact, I'd say it was in the same vein as meditation.

There's always a temptation to get it over with, but these days I nearly always take a moment to stop, breathe in and out with a strong sense of purpose and listen to my environs. It grounds me.

I don't take this for granted. I realise how fortunate I am to have Dartmoor on my doorstep and to have the time to walk this way.

Actually, I'm pretty sure that even if I didn't live here, I'd find a way to connect with nature, even if I had to do it in some other way, e.g. gardening.

Think about your own experience with nature. I'd be very surprised if it hasn't and still does touch you. Without getting too Woo Woo on you, the reason possibly that you feel a deeper connection with life is because your thinking drops away to nothing. In that space (which I call presence) you feel one with your surroundings.

(Imagine being able to hold that state of presence through the travails of life without having to seek out nature.)

As we all start to think about what we'd like to do for 2018, if I must make a plea it's to go back to basics and look at nature as part of your life beyond an attractive place to hang out.

I know I will.

Blessings,

Julian

What do we really know?

“This is your life and it's ending one moment at a time.” 
― Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

You'd think this far in, we'd have it all worked out.

Money.

Love.

Health.

Faith.

Connection.

Work.

Less.

Even less.

But we're way off the mark.

Look around you, what do you see?

Poverty.

An individualistic world.

Greed.

Hate.

Violence.

Bigotry.

Repression.

The death of our planet.

It's no wonder some people decide enough is enough.

I always remember though something Jon Kabat-Zinn said (and I paraphrase):

"The way we look at you [the patient], we always take the view that so long as you're breathing, you've got more going for you than you have wrong with you."

I know, hardly startling but then again, whilst there's life there's hope.

If you've any desire left to make a difference, then now is the time to apply your energy to making your dent. You might volunteer at your local charity, you might change your life or you might start a blog to build your Tribe of new-world zealots.

It doesn't matter what you do as long as you do something.

For me, the worst thing you can do is carry on finger-wagging (mostly from your couch) and expect someone else to pick up the tab for our narcissistic ways. 

Dream on my friend.

Dream on.

This coming year, I've already been moved by another startling revelation -- one that's struck me many times before: if I'm going to make a difference, I need to do much less; and the things I do do, will be suffused with as much of my life force as I can muster. Will I p*ss a few people off? Undoubtedly. But in the end, the more we maintain the status quo the more we're the problem...in so many ways.

Photo by Clemente Ruiz Abenza

It sure is a mess

The planet.

Our consumption.

Our love of war.

The gap between rich and now very poor.

The media (and message) we consume.

You see, if we're going to imagine and then build a more beautiful world, we have to stop this craving to fit in and maintain the status quo.

Speak up.

Speak out.

And then act.

I mean, even something as mundane as the food we eat or choose not to eat, can have a profound impact on the planet. Less waste, less plastic, less harm.

Likewise, more appropriate language, better stories and walking our inclusive talk can do more than create another vacuous training programme.

But in truth, if you're going to do anything revolutionary (to you at least), you've got to look within.

Who are you at your deepest, most profound level?

The stuff you own, or something more fundamental?

Just imagine if you arrived at a point (with that question or something similar) with a recognition that you're everything you see -- bound up in the same way as the waves with the ocean. In that space, do you honestly think you'd sh*t in your own back garden? I very much doubt it.

Blessings,

Julian