BUT NOW WHAT DO WE DO?
Each week we have new information and new challenges appearing on the scene. Everything from what to do about school openings, to how the election is looming, to personal family decisions and the inability to plan. More often than not, people are asking….but now what do we do? Deconstructing racism to building the economy – at first blush – they look like distinct and separate decisions – all requiring analysis, evidential understanding and the ability to choose correctly.
I am involved in a very exciting conversation with a very dear friend and an African American man on how to move from reaction to invention – rather than fixing the old to creating the new. Each time we talk, we go deeper into the question of what is happening and how to listen for a new birth of a more global, loving, just society. It’s a funny feeling having a conversation that you know began in your youth and has been incubating until the time is right. All three of us are convinced that the time is right – and that each and every person can contribute to the new world that is clearly begging to be born. We all agree revising the old is not what is up – we also know that just adding things to a broken system is akin to putting lipstick on a pig…you can dress it up – but underneath there is still the need for a breakthrough in thinking.
We are also clear that our human nature is to solve – to fix it – to get going….the discomfort and realization that the world is shifting on its axis – from the environment to global health and staying with that discomfort takes courage, faith that the direction will appear, and a bucketload of kinship (see previous blogs) plus of course, Love.
So what the heck do we do in the meantime and how do we hear the question and stay with the discomfort with trust that the new and transformational is on the horizon.
Its painfully obvious that we must begin with imagination – imagining has potentially been lost in the last 4 months of relentless dealing with frightening and uncertain events. More than ever we need to dream – we need to channel Dr. King and start having a dream again that these tired old problems turn into a beloved community. That we can care for the earth and for each other, in ways never seen before. That we cannot give up, think we are too old, too tired, too boring, too busy, or just not up for the challenge.
For each of us the beginning is personal – requires introspection – and some moments of inspired thought.
Getting there is easier than you think and a simple process can begin the journey. There is no map – we are all pioneers – for those of us in the west – pioneering is not a new concept – just needs a fresh face of courage.
Luckily we are built for insight – for Aha’s , for infinite possibilities.
So here you go – you are after KNOWINGNESS – its kissing cousin is intuition but deeper – it dives into the inner wisdom and produces certainty inside – there will never be certainty outside..if this last few months has not taught us that – we haven’t been watching.
How to Know
Moment of uncertainty arises,
Breathe, turn inward, sink (as far as you can go into the heart of awareness)
Feel around for the Knowing –(it will appear – for some its warmth, or calmness – or a sense of light)
Do the next thing it nudges you toward.
Let it stand (Don’t explain)
Repeat forever
For the rest of your life, shorten the gap between the Knowing and the doing.)
At first it will be noisy in there – and you will doubt what you are getting – ignore that and keep knowing. It may lead you to join our innovative conversation (ask me how).
As the wisdom of Proverbs said long ago….BE STILL AND KNOW.
