I write about humanity's problems as a species in all sorts of ways in this space, but really if you want to get straightforward about things all we're ever actually talking about here is a lack of awareness of what's true and the need to eliminate that lack.
I would just add / emphasize how much there are economies and incentives built off of people not being aware. Buy this, give attention here, and you will be given a counterfeit joy or freedom. It will be awareness, and it will be shifting power structures, too.
That said, yes, the beginning starts with your own sense of focus: "Only after you can maintain inner sincerity can you free people from confusion; by maintaining truthfulness in yourself you can teach people to shed delusions."
Awareness——the one Ring to rule them all! Living awake ain’t easy. It takes effort, courage and opportunity. This is probably the first time in history many, many people are free from existential threats long enough to see beyond their conditioning. Can sufficient political power be generated soon enough to redirect government, economy and military before they destroy civilization is an open question, but it will be answered by people alive today!
Awareness requires a high level of security and you are going to see less of it in the United States which has low levels of security for people in terms of wages, job security, support from employers, quality education, affordable medical care i.e. the sort of things which remove levels of fear from people and give them time to indulge in things like self-awareness, instead of putting their energy into mere survival. To that degree the average American faces Third World issues in ways citizens in other developed nations do not.
Education and awareness aren't sufficient. hasn't worked for racism and all the other isms. Self interested solutions sounds logical and rational, but system and our investment in its production aren't logical and rational. The Shadow Knows the Id Rules.
And a lack of awareness means a lack of awareness of our collective oneness.
A lack of awareness means a lack of access to the pure awareness that we are in essence.
Identifying with the voice in the head makes this “me” voice compulsive. This incessant personal narrative, like a torrential river, blocks awareness of awareness itself that is always here waiting to be felt/experienced.
This egoic condition distorts our perception of reality so that even the compassionate and well intentioned are operating largely out of the survival brain centers. Even the very ‘woke’ are blind to our tendencies to favor hierarchy, domination, submission, prejudice, competition, deception, expedience, in group vs out group behaviours etc. ( all useful short term crisis survival traits).
It is fitting that ‘woke’ is past tense, indicative of the ongoing reality distorting control of the ego. Distortion ends when we fully inhabit the only place there is....the Now.
Sufficiently aware is one thing, the complicated work of coexisting and organising and feeding and healing and problem solving another. Awareness of the current problems doesn't mean the ego and problems of childhood trauma ect immediately go away and we we all are lovley share and are never violent greedy or cause pain to others again. I've met some pretty toxic/narsasisric 'aware people' that talk about these things. The work of a peaceful paradise is harder than people can conceive and criticising what we have easy....of course we could be doing way better. But we also have been pretty violent and distuctive in the past....and wanting a paradise, controling pushing for it, ect isn't the way to get one, control and fear of suffering will always get in the way. Sufficiently aware isn't the same and consiousness...and maintaining consiousness is tricky.... It isn't about creating a perfect world, it's accepting this one....to shed a light on manipulation and control in our society is one thing. To expect people to be responsible for themselves and their freedom and other people in this moment is another... most of our alternative communities have serious external problems, our gatherings families, friendships and relationships with ourselves too....and we are ready to be responsible, free and do better than what we have right now....
A very good analysis and useful additions by @JesParent and @Bevan. My contribution along their lines is that this post is missing the fact that most people are unaware by choice because it's "easier" to allow oneself to be unaware/blinded/dumber than it is to be aware/smart.
It seems to me that society structured as a series of narcissist-codependent relationships and that system "works" for the dependents who basically prefer that others do the driving.
Caitlin's piece is a tonic -- a breath of hope and idealism with its feet in the Sixties. But unawareness that human beings carry a brokenness that they, and others, must be forgiving of and compassionate about is, I think, necessary realism. With that truth acknowledged, let the fight to make living a beautiful and fair endeavor for all life evolve!
Two elemental forces make life happen. Eternal Awareness and Infinite Energy. Tao. First we must recognize life happens only now, past and future are memories and possibilities. It is the Awareness side of Life that has been so long neglected, and the propagandists are continuing to do their utmost to keep this simple truth from being commonly recognized. World 5.0
Correct, and all of the solutions can only come from a place of radical transparency, but using a currency system that is not rooted and encoded as Power and domination. It's not just knowing that a problem exists, but having the resources and the Power to effect the change you wish to make is the key. Here's an intro to a new game of life: common-planet.org
Caitlin, you are really on a roll with the inclusion of the spiritual sanity aspect of socio-political issues. Glad to see it. I'd be interested to hear you ina conversation with Marianne Williamson. I just heard her podcast with Cornell West and they were in this same zone too.
This is a great post outlining many things.
I would just add / emphasize how much there are economies and incentives built off of people not being aware. Buy this, give attention here, and you will be given a counterfeit joy or freedom. It will be awareness, and it will be shifting power structures, too.
That said, yes, the beginning starts with your own sense of focus: "Only after you can maintain inner sincerity can you free people from confusion; by maintaining truthfulness in yourself you can teach people to shed delusions."
Awareness——the one Ring to rule them all! Living awake ain’t easy. It takes effort, courage and opportunity. This is probably the first time in history many, many people are free from existential threats long enough to see beyond their conditioning. Can sufficient political power be generated soon enough to redirect government, economy and military before they destroy civilization is an open question, but it will be answered by people alive today!
Awareness requires a high level of security and you are going to see less of it in the United States which has low levels of security for people in terms of wages, job security, support from employers, quality education, affordable medical care i.e. the sort of things which remove levels of fear from people and give them time to indulge in things like self-awareness, instead of putting their energy into mere survival. To that degree the average American faces Third World issues in ways citizens in other developed nations do not.
Education and awareness aren't sufficient. hasn't worked for racism and all the other isms. Self interested solutions sounds logical and rational, but system and our investment in its production aren't logical and rational. The Shadow Knows the Id Rules.
Yes, thank you always for your clarity.
And a lack of awareness means a lack of awareness of our collective oneness.
A lack of awareness means a lack of access to the pure awareness that we are in essence.
Identifying with the voice in the head makes this “me” voice compulsive. This incessant personal narrative, like a torrential river, blocks awareness of awareness itself that is always here waiting to be felt/experienced.
This egoic condition distorts our perception of reality so that even the compassionate and well intentioned are operating largely out of the survival brain centers. Even the very ‘woke’ are blind to our tendencies to favor hierarchy, domination, submission, prejudice, competition, deception, expedience, in group vs out group behaviours etc. ( all useful short term crisis survival traits).
It is fitting that ‘woke’ is past tense, indicative of the ongoing reality distorting control of the ego. Distortion ends when we fully inhabit the only place there is....the Now.
Then woke becomes awake.
Sufficiently aware is one thing, the complicated work of coexisting and organising and feeding and healing and problem solving another. Awareness of the current problems doesn't mean the ego and problems of childhood trauma ect immediately go away and we we all are lovley share and are never violent greedy or cause pain to others again. I've met some pretty toxic/narsasisric 'aware people' that talk about these things. The work of a peaceful paradise is harder than people can conceive and criticising what we have easy....of course we could be doing way better. But we also have been pretty violent and distuctive in the past....and wanting a paradise, controling pushing for it, ect isn't the way to get one, control and fear of suffering will always get in the way. Sufficiently aware isn't the same and consiousness...and maintaining consiousness is tricky.... It isn't about creating a perfect world, it's accepting this one....to shed a light on manipulation and control in our society is one thing. To expect people to be responsible for themselves and their freedom and other people in this moment is another... most of our alternative communities have serious external problems, our gatherings families, friendships and relationships with ourselves too....and we are ready to be responsible, free and do better than what we have right now....
A very good analysis and useful additions by @JesParent and @Bevan. My contribution along their lines is that this post is missing the fact that most people are unaware by choice because it's "easier" to allow oneself to be unaware/blinded/dumber than it is to be aware/smart.
It seems to me that society structured as a series of narcissist-codependent relationships and that system "works" for the dependents who basically prefer that others do the driving.
Caitlin's piece is a tonic -- a breath of hope and idealism with its feet in the Sixties. But unawareness that human beings carry a brokenness that they, and others, must be forgiving of and compassionate about is, I think, necessary realism. With that truth acknowledged, let the fight to make living a beautiful and fair endeavor for all life evolve!
In the shortest way I could best articulate myself: thank you for raising awareness.🙏🏼🙏🏼
Two elemental forces make life happen. Eternal Awareness and Infinite Energy. Tao. First we must recognize life happens only now, past and future are memories and possibilities. It is the Awareness side of Life that has been so long neglected, and the propagandists are continuing to do their utmost to keep this simple truth from being commonly recognized. World 5.0
Correct, and all of the solutions can only come from a place of radical transparency, but using a currency system that is not rooted and encoded as Power and domination. It's not just knowing that a problem exists, but having the resources and the Power to effect the change you wish to make is the key. Here's an intro to a new game of life: common-planet.org
Thank you.
Caitlin, you are really on a roll with the inclusion of the spiritual sanity aspect of socio-political issues. Glad to see it. I'd be interested to hear you ina conversation with Marianne Williamson. I just heard her podcast with Cornell West and they were in this same zone too.