I have been afraid and hopeless and convinced that nothing that I say or do will make a difference for years, and I am waking up.  Complacency and hopelessness are so clearly linked.  A culture using media and consumerism to distract and prevent us from hearing our internal truth is not random.

What I see, when I am willing to see and speak is a way of life moving so fast towards a brick wall we will barely have time to soften the impact before we hit it.  I have not wanted this to be true, have not wanted to feel the feelings that arise in the face of this destruction and the unconsciousness that I see all around me (including in myself).

I want to believe that humans are inherently good and that if we were free from our habitual conditioning, we would be kind to ourselves and others.  However, the conditioning is potent, the addiction to power and “my life the way I want it”, profit, separation from nature and ignoring consequences is strong especially in the dominant US culture.

Paradoxically, I am hopeful, that maybe this multiple system failure, maybe something so obvious and big will be the catalyst for the change that is needed in order for sanity, justice, and kindness to prevail.

My prayer is to be willing to stand in the power of the energy that moves through this body and to open ever more fully to the power that wields the sword of my clarity.

It's not a matter of "if" change is needed right now.  Obviously, change is needed now.  I hope that there is time and enough of us to tip the scales towards a sustainable future.  Consciousness itself, who we truly are, will not be affected by the destruction of the species, but I would prefer human intelligence to win this struggle with our own unconsciousness.

It is no surprise to me that we have "anger problems" in this culture which are so obviously a natural response to a violation of one's boundaries misdirected at a system that is difficult to touch.  I believe that much of the violence in the under-privileged is mis-directed frustration at a system that is unfair and oppressive.

And as I learn more about systems of oppression, I have to ask myself: how am I an accomplice of this system?  This system is part of the reason that I have the privileges that I do.  I have a good life.  Am I willing to jeopardize that by acting on what I know to be true?  Can I stand in the face of disapproval and possible loss, to speak?  Am I willing to give up my privilege for justice?  Am I willing to give up my insulated life for the benefit of all beings?  Are you?

To vision a future that is truly sustainable, it must work for all humans, not at the expense of 90% of the humans on the planet as is the current modus operandi.

It is possible to re-claim power that has been given to "the authority."  And it happens moment by moment.  It happens in beginning to notice; in beginning to listen to the call of pain echoing through the psyche-scapes of so many.  It begins with standing in the Truth of who we are as vast untouchable consciousness while staying connected to the human lives that are at stake here.  It begins by staying connected to one another, listening, gathering, honoring, being honest, being human and being seen.

It begins by taking action.  Now.  To commit to live more fully as the person you imagine being "if only…"  What is one thing this person would do?  You could donate money, bring reusable bags to the store, buy organic, create sustainable community where you are with the people you love – now, before we are forced to see how much stress this system can actually take.  Gather, vote, demonstrate, and affect your local policy.

There is power in the many.  There is power in standing in Truth and stating our perceptions and acting on our convictions.

May you find your voice and use it to speak the Truth.

 ~Arlyn Deva Heideman December 11, 2006, revised September 15, 2007