Evolutionary Consciousness /Conscious Evolution?

Does evolution change consciousness or does consciousness change evolution? Like any spiritual conundrum, the answer to the dilemma is— yes!

Our inner and outer realities mirror each other as part and parcel of one single process. In the midst of the radical transformation that is the present moment, it is fascinating to see the reflection of inner and outer worlds. We have at least two alternatives ways of responding to change. If our inner reality is based on fear, we step back and try to hold fast to the past that, like soft dry sand, is slipping through our fingers. We want to retain the known and familiar. The ‘tea-party’ movement is an excellent example of this phenomenon. If, on the other hand, we are courageous, optimistic and believe in a positive future, we are willing to take a chance and leap into the unknown, with faith that all will be well as a new reality is unfolding.

Life is mysterious and full of surprises. During the height of the apartheid years in South Africa, it was accepted that when the change would come, a bloody revolution was inevitable. A futurist I knew predicted that ‘as went South Africa, so would go the world.’ Miraculously it seems, the change actually came peacefully. Nelson Mandela was the right man for the moment and his efforts were strengthened by the efforts of some 10,000 individuals who helped forge a new culture based on the principles of conflict resolution. Unseen and unknown to most, they worked their magic and the results are incredible. If that futurist was correct, it is auspicious for the world community.

In American public life, transformative change is happening too, despite the apparent polarized divisions. Conflict resolution offers an alternative and new way of finding common ground in areas of dispute. In the personal realm, mediation is becoming a valid alternative to the destructive nature of the power play that is part of divorce. Publicly, the present Obama administration is demonstrating that attempting to reach consensus is a worthy goal, despite some who attempt to thwart the process. New ways of debate and decision reaching are possible. The ongoing specious debate by pro-choice and anti-choice proponents is being reframed. Just as no one is ‘anti-life,’ neither is anyone ‘pro-abortion.’ The issue is about a woman’s right to determine her future and that of her family. A way to bring opposing sides together is to look at what values they share— in this case, neither group wants any unintended pregnancies and so they can come together to focus attention and efforts on pregnancy prevention or adoption advocacy.

Don Beck’s teaching on spiral dynamics is a wonderful basis to start seeing how we function in society. He shows how as individuals and communities we evolve, initially aware only of our basic needs for survival, and then open to the developmental stages of awareness of the magical, followed by an egocentric world view. As we mature we pass from an authoritarian model, to become to community builders, who acknowledge that responsibility is essential to corresponded with rights we claim, and ultimately hope to realize oneness, wholeness and cooperation. We are all at different point on the journey, individually and communally and when hoping to assist others, can respectfully find way to understand what they need in order to find ways to work together to bring about peaceful change.

With a rapidly changing reality influences by climate, technology and access to information, natural evolution offers us the opportunity to awaken to the multilayered nature of reality and in so doing, assist the evolution our own consciousness, finding answers to the perennial questions of the spiritual seeker: who am, why and I here and where am I going?

Nature's Solution?

Satellite imagery has just revealed that a tiny uninhabited island in the Bay of Bengal has submerged below the ocean. The island, called South Tappatti by Bangladesh or New Moore by India, a reservoir of rich oil and gas deposits, is an example of global warming solving a problem that had caused bitter dissent between the two countries.

Are we going to wait for Nature to solve other disputes around the planet that tear peoples apart? In the space of a few short years we have witnessed the changes that can be brought to bear. Katrina, the Indonesian tsunami, Haiti and Chile readily come to mind. These natural disasters plead with us to re-examine our priorities. In the major hotspots of the world where for generations people have died because of human disagreement, powerplay and greed, do we intend to wait for Nature to step in and level the playing field? What, then will we tell our grandchildren, was the purpose of generations of bloodshed? Surely we can find solutions ourselves before it is too late.

Sharing commonalities where they exist

I applaud everyone engaged in an effort to find commonalities between various religious traditions. As we each filter our understanding through the lens of our own experience, we should be cautious about making assumptions based on the ideas of those who are not practicing a particular faith. The descriptive term “Judeo-Christian . . .” should cause us to listen with care to whatever follows this phrase. On the surface, this is a term that signals a common heritage between Jews and Christians. In reality, this is a term not usually used by Jews, but is normally used as an interpretation of Judaism through a Christian perspective. Care is necessary when speaking in the name of both traditions. For example, at a recent interfaith presentation for which I was a panelist, the Christian representative assumed that like all Christians, Jews are looking for ways to avoid being damned to hell in the next life — a false assumption mistakenly believed to be part of the so-called “Judeo-Christian” view because it is part of a Christian belief. Judaism teaches that our focus needs to be in this world, that we make heaven or hell where we are by the choices we make.

Both traditions teach, in their own imagery, metaphor and symbolism, about caring for the human family and the Earth. While there are areas both faith communities share and on which everyone can build, it would seem more credible to hear how Jews interpret their own beliefs than have them filtered through the perspective of any other group and mindset. In so doing, it is possible to find authentic commonalities shared by both traditions, releasing many misconceptions about Judaism. This applies to all religious and spiritual traditions. As responsible spiritual seekers, we need to be careful about our assumptions.

Nature speaks silently

My prunus tree is in blossom. On the bare branches that seemed so lifeless a few short weeks ago, the woody arms of the tree are now hidden by an explosion of delicate, pale pink flowers. Their fragile beauty moves me deeply. The fact that they are so short-lived intensifies their beauty. In the morning they may be gone as we expect much rain over the next few days.
I was able to savor their beauty and watched the bees darting from one deep-throated blossom to the next. It struck me how insignificant human beings are, how unconcerned with with us and our lives are the bees, as they go about their activities, in silence. It reminded me of Yellowstone a couple of winters ago when I had the privilege of being there with my husband — a winter wonderland indeed. A blizzard the previous day left the earth covered with feet of pristine and sparkling snow. We walk over to Old Faithful to watch the eruption, and miraculously found ourselves totally alone with the geyser in all its magnificence— except for a herd of bison, white- faced from foraging beneath the snow. We were overwhelmed with nature’s majesty, and the over-riding silence of the experience, that was interrupted only by the occasional snort of a bison and the bubbling of the heated water beneath us. As a coyote silently padded through the snow, seemingly oblivious of both the bison and of us, I was reminded of the words of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel:

“There are three aspects of nature which command our attention: power,loveliness and grandeur. Nature’s power we exploit, its loveliness we enjoy, and its grandeur fills us with awe. Those who are not affected by the vision of earth and sky, who have no eyes to see its grandeur and sense the sublime, however vaguely, are not human.”

Sacred Humanity

As women walking the path to the conscious evolution of a sacred humanity, we are aware of the qualities of the Sacred Feminine in ourselves and in the world—a respect for wisdom of the natural world, of which we are a part; for the deep connection we enjoy with one another; with the ability we have to love unconditionally, as a mother loves her new born baby without having seen or knowing anything about that child; the ability to learn from one another through the use of story – stories told, heard and felt. The Sacred Feminine pays heed to the invisible realms that give birth to the inexplicable coincidences, synchronicities and serendipities that give meaning to our lives— all of which can be summed up in the term connective intimacy

And what of the Sacred Masculine? We are all too aware of the secular masculine qualities on which our society is based— hierarchy, competition, domination and destruction, judgment, power and control over others, violence, linear thinking that is wedded to science, and a greedy consumerism as the only was to function. The ManKind Project, acknowledging the abilities and talents of the Sacred Masculine, teaches authenticity, responsibility, accountability, commitment and service as the path to follow. Such characteristics are desirable in us all and will lay the foundations of a harmonious society.

The Sacred Masculine, diverting the energies previously focused on our physical survival, can now hone in on honor, duty and respectful service— to the natural world, the global family and to the Divine, without the conviction of predetermined concepts. A penchant for scientific enquiry used in conjunction with an intuitive curiosity may lead the way to an enlightened vision of a peaceful future for all.

Building a community in cyberspace

Everyday I learn more about the potential and possibility of what we can do in cyberspace. I am so gratified by the growing community that is connecting on my fb page, Dancing In The Footsteps of Eve. I have linked to Mystic Revelations, a wonderful source of beautiful words and images. I would like to link to other web pages and sites that are concerned with conscious evolution and women's spirituality. Let me know if you would like to link to my page.

Sacred Stories

Were we created because God loves stories? We create our personal stories that tell us who we are— to ourselves. We also create our personal stories to tell the world who we are and what we want others to know about us. The sacred stories that we believe— about who we are, why we are here, and where we are going— set the stage for our personal tales. How does your personal story (that you share with the world) begin? Mine starts with "what if?" Perhaps these words, that seem to sum up my inner journey, should be on my tombstone. "She lived with 'what if' as a motivational impetus in her life."

I think back to what seems like another lifetime ago in the early 90s, when I was trying to promote my calligraphic designs and my brother suggested the 'world wide web'. "Sure," was my answer, "I'll do that— what is the world wide web?" I learned. Around that same time, a friend who was a published author attended a spirituality workshop I was leading. "You should write this all down - write a book," she said. "Sure, I'll do that - how do you write a book?" and she showed me.

I wonder if we knew what will be involved in the decisions we make, would we be willing to start the many ventures that make us who we are? I am so glad that I jump in, naive and and optimistic, on the many paths and adventures to further spiritual growth.