Build Temples of
Love
One of
the things that I wonder about is just how much people really understand the extremity
of our situation at this point of time. I see many (most) clients suffering
from high levels of anxiety. children are anxious,
can’t fall asleep… people attribute this anxiety and fear to a plethora of
causes-media, liberal propaganda, right wing propaganda, their spouses, the
economy… everything but the real cause.
We are
anxious because we stand at the precipice of crisis. The harbingers of
disasters have arrived-climate change, unseasonably high temperatures, species
dying off, floods, storms, and accompanying social break downs of families,
social supports,.
At the
same time, I am seeing a great increase in depression. Almost everyone who
walks into my office claims to be suffering from depression. Why? Is it
possible that when we get burned out from being anxious, we go to the next
stage of coping-the freeze response, which over time becomes depression?
We are becoming
depressed because there is much to be sad about.
In the
words of Miss Marple, sometimes the most obvious suspect is the culprit.
Surprize!
I have
the sometimes dubious gift of being highly intuitive and catching glimpses of
possible futures. I say dubious because, as an oracle, I ‘see’ the future- if we
don’t change. It is a dance of death. It is so horrific that I begged to be
released from the vision. Eventually I was, but not until I reached out for
help from a spiritual teacher. I ‘saw’ what the world will become if we don’t
choose change. It isn’t just what could
happen, but also how we will feel- angry, vindictive, violent, cruel and aggressive.
In the face of worldwide disasters, in an instant, we will become uncaring. Compassion
and empathy will be seen as weak and dangerous and abandoned the way rats abandon
a sinking ship. We will bow down to selfishness, entitlement and hatred of the Other.
These qualities are already on the increase and I see them developing in the
young like a virus which no one can name but which we are all, at some level,
aware of.
Matter
is gifted with the unfailing directive of achieving greater and greater consciousness
and evolution. This is the first law of matter-all matter. And this law, as binding
and unforgiving as the laws of gravity-will prevail. It isn’t as if , when you
drop a precious tea cup, suddenly gravity will relent and not draw it down. No,
it will fall as easily as an old pen or clothing stripped off at the end of the
day. No matter if a relatively new species called homo sapiens, decide they don’t
want to get on board. We will simply be wiped out. It has happened before, it
could happen again.
That is
the dark heart of these times. In this season of fall, when we consider the
horrors and revelations of death, we must also consider its opposite-re-birth. As
we dig up our gardens, throw unwanted material on the compost heap, we also
plant the winter bulbs for spring-narcissi, garlic and the tough winter greens
to bring us through the dark months.
By this
I mean that we spend some time in this season of opposites and paradoxes-in the
contemplation and action of building up all those relationships which carry the
seeds of the future. The future you want to see, experience, the future you
want those who will follow us to have. Traditionally, people stood and faced
the west at this time of year, and had conversations in ritual form with their
ancestors. All those who have gone before, all that we have been before we
arrived here in the present moment- our long climb up from inanimate form, to
plants, to animals and finally into humans. Our pinnacle, from which we prepare
either to evolve into the greatness of who we can be, or develop into the fear
which captures us with anger, greed and sloth. Old fashioned terms, but still
alive and well in our beings.
Try This!
1.
For the next week, look for ways to build temples
of love. Let’s start with ourselves. How do we love ourselves more? Forgive,
understand, become more intimate with? Go out a soul catch love. E.g. Just now, I heard the neighbour chopping
wood. This reminds me that sometimes I have to make a great effort to keep the
fires of love alive within myself. I have to work at my fitness, my mediation,
writing, being creative, taking time for family and friends. Those activities
all take effort, time and resources. I have to be willing to give those resources
to my own self development.
2.
For the next week, look for ways to build temples
of love with others. Do soul catching to help you. Not shopping at stores who
make up what I call, the evil empire-the box stores who build temples of
needless consumption, treat their employees oppressively and plunder the earth
for materials to support their harmful systems. You know who I mean, now
withdraw your support. E.g. Just now I
heard my husband talking to a woman who is giving him supervision with a new
counselling theory. As I was writing this-he said “How much do I owe you for
the hour?” This reminds me that building temples of love with others, costs
money. And I have to be willing to spend that money on others, rather than just
on my own selfish comforts. Sometimes I have to spend money on research and
development, gifts to family and friends, supporting those businesses who
conduct production in an honourable way, even if it costs more.
3.
Build temples of love for the world –the earth,
the global view. This can be a ritual of intent for Gaia, taking time to join with people who have similar
spiritual views, funding environmental projects, taking time to live within
your own life in an environmentally responsible
way. Soul catching can help guide you along the way. E.G. Just now, I noticed how quiet my house is. I think one way that I can
live, using material responsibility is not to consume so much, just simplify,
notice the free gifts of the world-sunshine, walking through my neighbourhood,
b being quietly friendly and helpful, spending time in my garden with awareness.
Stepping back, saying, I don’t need this-I can make do with what I have. Appreciating
the quiet abundance of my life.
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