Nothing happens without there being some form of thought that preceded it at some level. Everything that happens in the universe was at one time a seed idea in the garden of possibility. We lose sight of this as we find ourselves drifting along imagining we are at the mercy of circumstance when in fact we are simply living in circumstances consciously created by others -that is if we do not take an active part in shaping these ideas. There are many differences between us but the one thing that we share is our subjectivity. This subjectivity is uniquely experienced and no matter what group we belong to - be it nation, "race", sex, religion, philosophical belief or political party at the bottom we experience things differently at an individual/subjective level.
At the beginning of this millennium it is arguable that we enjoy the greatest freedom of expression known in history. This is certainly true of the first world nations. For many it is a wonderful time to be living - to be able to exercise our imaginative powers to the full. Yet our increasing knowledge of our environment tells us each day that our ecosystems are rapidly deteriorating - a fact that we ignore at our peril. Each year another 50 species die out - never to be born again??
The majority of people on planet earth live in dire poverty and starvation, pain and suffering. In many areas of the world, even as you read this, many are experiencing the unimaginable agony and horror of war( a situation into which let us not forget mothers bring little babies into the world and children must somehow live) while a minority watch the events on television and react as if this is simply the way of life - the way it has always been. All this when it is a fact that there is more that enough food to go round.
Our Imaginations
Great advances have certainly been made. Yet we humans all have at our disposal a wonderful resource which is with us wherever we go if only we would use it properly-our imaginations. If we do not take heed of this the quality of our lives and those of our fellow species is quite likely to continue deteriorating perhaps to a point beyond redemption. If by some magical means we could be transported back 3 centuries we would be shocked at how sweet and fresh the air would smell and how clear the stars shone at night. But this is not call to return to nature or the past. It is simply to have faith that if properly put to use our imaginations can build a paradise on our beautiful blue planet. It is a call to reexamine all the conditions of our lifestyles especially the quality of our working lives-
Our future
Now is the time to take foresight and to think not just in terms of survival but in terms of the quality of our lives and those of future generations. Our children's children's children.....
Our responsibility
We are all responsible. We cannot leave this up to the experts anymore whether they be scientists or politicians. It is absolutely clear that we cannot simply go ahead using up the earth's non renewable resources and disregarding the lives of other species as we have been doing up to now. Those that say otherwise are merely trying to maintain their own status quo without identifying with the conditions of others. There are no experts in this matter since each existence is equal to all other existences; Each of us is a witness to Life. There is always the possibility that the "experts" may have overlooked some simple fact. If we can pool our creative/imaginative resources, qualities that we all have, the possibilities are unlimited.
Are we in the information age?
Over and over again we are told we are living in the "Information Age". Yet how often do we consider what information actually is. Surely it only has value if it is about things that matter and is something we can constructively put to use. The greatest creation of human beings is undoubtedly language. Apart from those who have serious language impairments this ability to form words out of sounds(or in the case of deaf persons visual shapes) is literally something of a miracle. Every time a sentence or word is uttered an enormously complex act of creation takes place. The ability to use language implies, and is evidence of, an enormous capacity for reflection and creativity. This is the case for each and every use of language. It is a tragedy that with this creative potential in ALL of us we still live in a world of so much suffering. If we would take time to be conscious of this collective endowment; if we fling the channels of communication wide open, we could transform earth into a paradise within a short space of time. This collective resource which lies dormant in humanity is the Aquarian Pyramid which we can now build. It will live and dwell in the very real world of our imaginations.
What you can do
Now is your chance to contribute to this Life "election", by contributing by way of a letter not longer than 2000 words, your solution to the creation of a beautiful earth populated by healthy happy creatures. Your letter will be addressed to the people of the 3rd millennium explaining to them how your ideas captured the imagination of people everywhere showing them a practical workable way ahead that was beneficial to all. A way that did not have to be forced upon people. A way that was enjoyably taken up rather than followed out of a fear of sanction.. (Unless you feel that the latter is essential in which case you will need to express this).
