Life Attractions

Consciousness and "A New Earth" - What's The Connection?

 James Walker, in reviewing Eckart Tolle's book, "A New Earth" gives us insight on Oprah's endorsement of Tolle's book.  Walker asks, what's the connection between Oprah and Tolle?  He says, "The key, I think, is the link Oprah makes between finding yourself and saving the planet.  This is a powerful new connection, especially in view of the concern about climate change and environmental degradation."  Walker continues -

"So, what is the connection, according to Tolle?  That he thinks there is one is clear from the title
of his book. It is "A New Earth", not "A New Self". The subtitle is  "Awakening to your life's purpose",
so the hint is that your life's purpose might have something to do with bringing a new earth into being.

But, when you read the book, the bit on the new earth comes only at the end, at what he says is pretty brief.  There will only be a new earth if we change our own consciousness, that the physical universe is the
manifestation of consciousness.  The book is really about changing your consciousness. . . . And about
changing your consciousness Tolle is a master.  The chapters on the ego, and how to release it, are superb. Everyone will find something of value here, especially if you are just starting to think about these things. Tolle is a brilliant popularize of ancient spiritual wisdom."

From James Walker, Synchronicity Institute Newsletter, May, 2008. see. www.synchronicityinstitute.com

  

Hope: The Stirrings of Consciousness

One large source of shift, may result from the stirrings of consciousness. James O'Dea shares that It is becoming increasingly apparent that once people see the damage being done to the whole, they can no longer pursue the self interest of the parts. For example, the overall well being of the community as a whole must take precedence before the financial gain of any one part. No longer can companies pollute at the expense of the community. Similarly, a child cannot grow into a responsible adult without support from a caring family and community.  The deeper patterns and connections must be addressed.

The book, "A New Earth," by Eckart Tolle has become a common household work since its endorsement by Oprah this spring. Why?  Perhaps it results from the stirrings of consciousness. Often, there is the belief that change needs to come from strong leadership or a power outside ourselves.  But, this may only perpetuate the battle.  Is it possible that a more long-term solution may result from an increased awareness within ourselves? Is it possible that ordinary people can make a difference in their lives by taking small constructive actions, one moment at a time?

This solution gives us more power and choice.  We can choose to look at what we have and the strengths that exist within ourselves and our communities.  This type of examination gives us an opportunity to rethink and release old patterns and grow anew.  Later, we are able to look back at the situation, and determine what has been accomplished and gained.  Withstanding and recovering from adversity may be a matter of perspective.

Tolle, Eckart  A New Earth:  Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. New York:  Plume books, 2005.

 

Adversity: Dispair or Stimulus for Growth?

It is often believed adversity leads to depression and despair.  But what about stimulating growth? There is very long tradition of viewing suffering as offering the possibilities for positive change, such as in the work of Maslow (1998).  This is not to say, that growth will be an inevitable result, but that personal distress and growth often co-exist. Critical life crises can offer possibilities for change.

Barbara Marx Hubbard (2003), adopts an evolutionary perspective to give a deeper meaning to adverse events. Indeed, she argues that large scale disaster and adversity often precedes quantum change. She argues that change does not always occur step by step.  Instead, significant change can occur in leaps. When this happens, whole new systems emerge. For example, once there was no life, then life appeared.  These leaps are preceded by crises. 

She calls these crises "evolutionary drivers." They are vital stimulants that trigger astounding "design innovations" that bring forth new capacities. From an evolutionary perspective, problems and crises are "necessary to overcome the inertia of the status quo and fulfill the primary tendency of evolution to move toward greater complexity, consciousness, and freedom."  She further argues that all leaps move towards greater wholeness. For example, we no longer can think of Planet Earth just in terms of different countries. The planet now is integrating in to one complete system.

The new system that prevails is the one that best allows beneficial cooperation.  It is the system in which the self-interest of the separate parts is served better through cooperation rather than separation. Therefore,
approaches that promote conscious choice for the benefit of the whole will bring more positive outcomes, as opposed to approaches that leave things to chance or to self-centered gain.

Barbara Marx Hubbard believes that we are currently undergoing a quantum leap. She says: "The power we have inherited to radically affect the material world will either destroy us or evolve us. We cannot continue even one more generation of over populating, polluting, being at war and using weapons of mass destruction." We are at the threshold of a major step in evolution or devolution."

Hubbard, Barbara Marx.  Writings from Gateway to Conscious Evolution, 2003. Website: www.evolve.org.

 

Maslow, A.  Toward a Psychology of Being, Third Ed. NY: Wiley, 1998.

Beyond Denial: The Transformation Challenge

As we look into our world, we can no longer live in denial. When we face this moment in time, we feel challenged in every way. The air is challenged, the oceans are challenged, the economy is challenged.   The masterpieces of our life our challenged in every way. And yet, James O'Dea  President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, says we "were born for such a time as this." -- "Decipher the hour. This moment in evolutionary time calls you to be a witness.  You are called whether you are young or old.  Otherwise, you would not be here at this time." He has summarized the situation quite well.
 
We are experiencing an awakened consciousness. People see the need for transformation are ready for transformation at all levels from individual to the collective. This transformation is more than good ideas. It also affects our heart,  --  mind, body, and spirit, and no singular form of transformation works for all. How it works has its own mystery. It can be a subtle shift that creates a new perspective, an earth shattering experience that breaks us out of denial, or it can be conscious stirring that precipitates a great leap of faith. 
 
More than anything, this transformation recognizes that our own truth has great depth. Today, our own truth can reflect contemporary scientific investigations as well as the spiritual wisdom of the ages. Consciousness can flow from separate individual thoughts to global connections and a much broader receptivity.  This blog explores these truths and the hidden attractors behind them.  All can help to create the transformation needed in our lives.  

James O'Dea.  www.Shiftinaction.com  "You were born for such a times as this." with music by Garry Malkin.