The world is full of problems. To understand why, it is necessary to stand well back and observe with a consciously open mind.
Personally, what I see is a very disoriented and disconnected world with little or no cohesion. Religion has offered us ‘the way’, as has politics, science, and the business world, yet harmony and cohesion are as far away as they ever were. Evidently problems cannot be solved piecemeal, so we need to connect with what will enable us to gain an overall understanding of how things could work in harmony, in cohesion. How would we do that other than in open-mindedness, complete humility !!! Putting aside all expectations, all assumptions, all opinions ………….. being prepared to listen with a mind committed to openness, to stillness.
Over the last two and a half thousand years there have been many spiritual teachers, not just Jesus Christ. They all had the same message, which has been ignored. Everything manifest has a vital part to play, it’s like a symphony but which can only work when orchestrated by Life itself. Surely, therefore, the most urgent matter right now is to become a conscious player in the symphony of life.
Anything less, evidently, does not work !!!
‘Synthesis’ is a word that might be used to describe all that Life actually is, but is yet to be realised by mankind.
Synthesis – a process of combining of every last ‘thing’ that exists, into an integrated, inter-dependent movement in a dynamic, rhythmic, organic process ……… orchestrated by Life itself.
Yet, the integratedness must be only half of the picture. Try breathing in and not breathing out. It’s impossible. Everything manifest has its opposite. It’s a basic law of life. In its widest sense therefore, Synthesis must encapsulate both synthesis and its opposite, antithesis – like the swing of the pendulum, and within which is to be found all of life in its myriad experiences……….the coming and going of the seasons, night and day, the waves on the sea shore, our own lives, even civilisations. Nothing in manifestation lasts forever – thankfully !! And, by this means, eventually, things work out, things resolve, things come to fruition ……… and move on !!!
So, small s synthesis is about things/elements in life involved in building, growing, combining, working together, increasing in cohesion, harmony, each part having a participatory role, selflessly (necessarily) in contribution to the well-being of the whole ………….. bringing things alive, and to fruition.
Autumn is the time of fruition/ripeness and then comes antithesis, the force which necessarily breaks things apart ……….. destruction, de-composition, disconnection, separation, chaos, death – of the form or structure, thus producing multiple identities in separation from the former wholeness ……… preparatory to re-building or re-generation. How would one exist without its opposite …….. coming together ……… falling apart ? In the garden the compost heap has the necessary role of de-composing things in preparation for nourishing plant life the next Springtime.
So, every facet of life has an essential part to play and therefore we need to re-assess what we mean, what we understand by ‘good’ and ‘bad’, acceptable and non-acceptable. As previously mentioned, everything has a part to play, MUST have a part to play ……………… either con-structive or de-structive !!
In further illustration ………… one of my particular interests is in the use of herbs as a reliable natural means to lasting health. Sadly, the real meaning and value of herbs has been forgotten and today they are largely underrated and often intentionally misrepresented, particularly by those with vested interests in the drug scene. Today we are given to understand that health is controlled …………… by dependence on drugs! But, do note, drugs are not agents of wholeness, they have no life-giving properties.
For tens of thousands of years herbs have been used as one of the principal means to health. Prior to European government recently choosing to interfere with and control their use, invading their freedom of choice, people would refer to herbalists steeped in this ancient and honourable craft to support on-going health within their lives. Each herb, as created by Nature, can be described as a wholeness, yet part of a greater wholeness, like ‘wheels within wheels’. The wholeness of herbs, consumed regularly or in season and in suitable proportion, inevitably contributes towards improvement in and maintaining of the on-going, well-being of body and mind, of human or animal. Herbs contain the regenerative (healing) power of Life, health being a ‘living wholeness’.
To be more specific, the regular and entirely safe use of given, ‘approved’ herbs that have been used for centuries, can support the healing of any and every form of sickness in existence. They do not have dangerous side-effects and are not a threat to life. Furthermore, regular use of certain herbs reliably enhances the body’s immune system and it’s own ability to protect itself against any form of infection. Herbs nourish the body as does any other foodstuff. They are designed by Nature to facilitate the body’s ability to maintain its own integrity and well-being. Herbs do not create addiction and dependence.
In my own practice I use combinations of some six or seven different but complementary herbs to serve the individual needs of each person or animal. In my experience such mixtures are far more effective than using single herbs.
Embracing the recognition that life is about an everlasting movement between the opposites, we can then see that sickness must have a vital role to play ……… in health. Sickness does not just happen, say as a result of bad luck or a stray virus. Sickness occurs when wholeness/health is sufficiently disturbed or when the way things have been functioning no longer serves a purpose and no longer works, is unsustainable, as is the way we live our lives in modern-day society, for the same principals apply. The practice of automatically using anti-biotics to interfere with and control the disease process must therefore be highly questionable and can weaken the body’s integrity ! It is evident that the now excessive use of drugs and chemicals on humans, animals and the land is progressively destroying life on this planet. Have you ever seen the Disney film ‘Fantasia’ where Mickey Mouse, as the sorcerer’s apprentice, loses control, having meddled with forces he did not take the trouble to understand ???? More fool him !!
It follows then that whilst such practices as science, medicine, religion, finance and politics continue in the current mode they can never make more than piecemeal contributions in the attempt to solve problems, which inevitably has no more than a very short-term effect and more often than not creates more problems than it solves. Hence the evermore complex and stressful lives most people are currently living.
Lasting solutions will only be found if we are prepared to find the courage to open-mindedly review the fundamentals of how we are living, day by day, our attitudes, our relationships, our style of living, our diet – that we might find a more wholesome, caring and respectful way of living. The quality of our individual health is our own responsibility, not that of someone else. In order to find actual solutions to the multiple problems of living in this day and age, it is necessary to turn, obviously not to those with vested interests, but to those few humble people, with sufficient depth of wisdom to understand Life’s processes, innately, and therefore who can help us find appropriate, natural means to a regeneration of individual health and subsequently, of the decaying civilisation across this planet. To be sure ………. this is not a five minute process, but it is of vital importance.
To repeat, life on this planet is at the stage where orthodox practices are no longer working, the way we have been living is not sustainable. But whilst things are undeniably breaking down, concurrently there will be exciting new opportunities, for re-generation ……. that is how life works. We must simply open our eyes, and our minds, to new possibilities. To survive, periodically each one of us must participate in fundamental change.
Once we are prepared to observe the dislocation and destruction we are presently wreaking upon both ourselves and this planet, it becomes necessary to question how this comes about. I once watched a TV programme where a group of senior Church of England clergy argued long over a given religious subject and completely failed to reach any consensus, due to the fact each one was consumed with their own ideas and opinions on the subject in focus.
Strange question maybe, but ……… can thinking, by which we arrive at opinions, ever reach consensus concerning the matters of daily living? ………….. Apparently not.
Given sufficient attention to the process of thinking, including our own, by which we become entrenched in attitude and opinion, about ourselves and others, we can easily observe how division and conflict ensues. This has given us thousands of years of self-investment (ego and selfishness) with its subsequent exploitation, especially by those who have the power ……… corruption, rape, murder, war, sickness, depression, sadness and suffering. No consensus or wholeness here then !!
So what is the alternative? IS there an alternative? Obviously there has to be, otherwise the Universe, including our own solar system (all part of Life’s creation), would not hold together in the delicate, living balance that it does.
The one consistent message of all the great spiritual teachers over the ages, pre-existent to man’s wilful interference and reduction into isms, has been of the need to ‘turn inwards’ in consciousness. And that to reach such a consciousness requires enormous attention, focus, through stillness of mind – NOT thinking. There are various practices that can help. Chi Gong being one of many. Just for a moment try something for yourself ………… re-connect deeply, with sensation. Become aware of the sounds of Nature ……… of the birds, the breeze, a cricket, a fox calling, the sea, a stream, thunder ………. the movement of a snake in the grass, a branch cracking underfoot; ……………. the multiplicity of subtle tastes …… water, pineapple juice, strawberries, carrots, herbs, like basil or rosemary ……. the smell of fresh air, ozone, perfumes of flowers, a bonfire, rain on dry land ………………… atmosphere, presence ………. of a stranger or one familiar to you, or an animal ……….. and eventually reach …… utter stillness ……….. a state which brings one into the fullest possible awareness and integration with all aspects of Life – so that one IS that Life – no longer any separation. Like the Prodigal Son in the bible story, we take ourselves off into life’s experiences, fully believing we have all the answers, only to find eventually (and in humility), the deepest need to return, in consciousness, to the very source of life, which, inevitably, IS within …… in ‘Being’. Within that stillness our life takes on new meaningfulness, new values, deeper sensitivity, awareness …………… Presence ………….
Consider, for a moment, how did the islanders ‘know’ (without any technology) of the advancing massive tsunami, a few years back, which prompted them to move to higher ground and escape death????
Currently (2011) the whole, cyclic process of LIFE is moving on at a rapid pace – in transformation. There is stupendous movement and change across the planet, obviously therefore the whole solar system, and including our weather and climate – everything is interrelated. The traditional ways of doing things are failing to meet the challenge and, for our own sakes, it is of the utmost urgency that WE open our minds to finding new ways by which to conduct ourselves through these momentous times.
I rejoice in the recognition that old-style governments and world-wide monolithic (dinosaurian ?) business institutions have had their day, they are powerless to prevail !!!! Now, most assuredly, is the time, the opportunity, nay, the necessity, for US ALL to quietly take responsibility in participating in the development of a new, sharing, caring, respectful (cohesive) world.
As has been suggested on numerous occasions in the last few years, it is we who are the ones we have been waiting for. Life cannot change without us changing. We are essential links in the chain.
Within the state of wholeness everything plays a vital part, nothing dominates. The need to dominate, coerce, cheat, steal, lie, misrepresent, is an aberration of the mind, born exclusively out of fear – lack of confidence, in oneself !!
The confident ones are those who have found a stillness and strength within, beyond the outer, raging, fearful mind. A place where one sees, recognises, that to ‘go with the flow of Life’, all things work out.
Therefore, we need true leadership ………. which inspires people to come together in shared responsibility and involvement …… living community. Where is that inspiration to be found, but from within ?
Yes, it takes great courage, to believe in oneself, as an integral part of all life, to ‘let go’, and to flow on freely. That is a wisdom with which we have (or had?) lost touch.
The worst thing we can do is try to make life fit in with our little expectations, because
then we bring it down to our level rather than listening to it and learning from it.
Peter Kingsley http://www.peterkingsley.org/
It’s like an ‘un-kaleidoscope’ which, instead of fracturing an image into things that make no sense, re-assembles things that make no sense into something that is perfectly understandable and workable.
Eric Francis – Astrologer. http://planetwaves.net/
In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired,
In the pursuit of Tao every day something is dropped,
Less and less is done until non action is achieved,
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone,
The world is ruled by letting things take their course,
It cannot be ruled by interfering.
Lao Tsu (500 BC)
Put yet another way, quite the most powerful it seems ……… can we now commit ourselves ……….. to living by what, to us, is most meaningful and true??