Coming Soon, Not
The grey sky has bits of light but the predicted storm is clearly on the way. The temperature at 64 degrees fahrenheit is consistent with temperatures earlier in the week. The air feels cooler. Today is Friday.
It is all happening now, not later today or tomorrow or next week. The idea that things are coming sometime in the future, misses the point. Life. The "sometime in the future" never happens - the "right time" is never now. And now is when life happens. An old teaching: If one is living, one doesn't ask the question, "What is the purpose of life?" The one who keeps looking for an answer in the future will never find it. It is like searching for your eyebrows - you can look all you want, but until you look in the mirror, you won't find your eyebrows. So, it's good to reflect when you can.
The reflection is looking into what is right here - the place, the people, the conditions beyond the reach of any given source, but is the product of all things that make up our universe. The answers we are looking for are sometimes based on the need for information, but the deepest answers do not exist outside of oneself. This makes things challenging in today's world.
Everything in contemporary society is set up to make things less arduous for living and the result is that human beings in modern society have benefited from things becoming more "convenient"– and this has made us numb and dumb. The numbness is in our self-centered way of thinking about how the world is doing - her health and her well-being. This week, she is sent out big alarm signals as the rain and winds moved through nation/state borders as if they don't exist. In reality, the borders are yet another convenience so entire populations of people can be managed, rallied to support their divided identities, and perpetuate stories that often cause fear about meeting and living with "the other" - whomever that may be. Some of the customs are beautiful and should be shared across all of humanity.
So, how are people doing? It's not altogether unknown. In fact, lots of things are very clear. Many are facing a time in which they will have to choose: continue as we have been, or, make room for another way. The next development must be one that invites people into a space of seeing exactly how they are connected to a whole that is not entirely human, but also may be in relation to other beings on this planet - plants, water ways, animals. There are those who are taking on the huge tasks to change institutional orientations and practices. Others are focusing on the aspect of our existence that goes to spirit and big visions and dreams are being put forth with an opening for people to enter. Still others are hunkering down, too disturbed by what shows up when they look around - it's understandable. It is getting scary out here.
And many are nourishing young people, giving hope and encouragement along with skills and tools to move the world into a new enlightenment. Cheer them on.