The Dawn of a New Humanity

(or how I learned to stop worrying and love life)

The New Humanity

Something has happened in recent years. Individual and collective human consciousness has begun to embark upon a journey of enormous transformation - one that has no parallel in mainstream human history, and finds reference only in ancient records, artefacts and folklore. Reviewing the literature that documents this change (for better or worse, often residing in the 'new age/ body, mind, spirit' sections of your local bookstore), it becomes clear that the underlying theme is one of convergence.

The advancing elimination of spatial and temporal boundaries offered by new technology has given human interaction a new complexity. Our behaviour and self-identity has become increasingly founded upon the potential of group dynamics and interdependency. It may be argued that within the advanced capitalist/consumer society this presents a profound and unintended irony. While such a society may precipitate an overtly materialistic tendency in the behaviour of the population, the dynamic, co-dependant and distance defying nature of commercially driven communication networks resemble (as we shall see) nothing if not the energy fields existent above and beyond the physical realm.

The inevitable cross-assimilation of information and the global sharing of ideas and culture that stems from these conditions has allowed for a profound realisation. Namely, that there is an unerring historical correspondence between certain beliefs and experiences of the distant past, and beliefs, experiences and scientific realisations of the present. This conjunction has invoked (particularly in the west) the sound of a spiritual alarm clock that will eventually awaken mankind to its ultimate heritage. What is this heritage? As we converge and discuss our own psycho-spiritual experiences, while simultaneously cross-referencing with a rich tapestry of known precedents, a series of truths become self-evident. Though the finer points of such 'truths' are of course open to different interpretation, the following section endeavours to represent a timeless and immutable wisdom (an 'ageless' philosophy as opposed to a 'new age' philosophy) which underlies experiences of both the past and the present:

Simultaneous Unity and Diversity

For some, this precept may appear to be paradoxical. It states that while physical reality appears to present itself in countless separate forms; beneath the diversity, there lies one uniting source of consciousness that binds all conscious entities together. This is the central understanding of 'Animism' - the oldest known religious/philosophical tradition. The natural world on our planet is, from a higher perspective, an infinite display of physically evolving 'vessels' in and through which individual systems of higher and more rarefied levels of consciousness may manifest, correspond and evolve. These individual systems of consciousness have in the west been termed as 'souls', though there are many such similar concepts in a wide range of cultures. To simplify and extend this idea we may differentiate between two coexisting states:

- An eternal, infinite and unchanging SOURCE of being (pure unconditional love)

AND

- A neutral, illusory spectrum of temporal and spatially bound forms. Forever in flux, the spectrum is projected by the former (into which it divides and MANIFESTS) and is governed by a series of laws and patterns.

The lower spectrum of manifestation contains within itself a representation of the duality of the SOURCE and the MANIFESTATION. This pattern is often understood as the yang/yin principle. An example of this may be found in the human brain, which is comprised of two hemispheres, each responsible for and representative of either of these aspects. Further examples of this duality in manifestation include: male/female, outer/inner, active/passive, thought/feeling, objective/subjective, day/night, life/death, mind/body, becoming/being, reason/faith, contraction/expansion, etc. The yang element represents the external, conscious, diverse, tangible, and sense detectable aspect of MANIFEST existence. The yin element represents the internal, unconscious, interconnected, hidden, and creative nature of the SOURCE of creation.

'Male'

(While reference may be made to 'male' or 'female' aspects, this is not to stereotypically apply such labels to men and women in any fixed sense. Ultimately they are universal principles, and as we have seen ,our true identity -pure consciousness, can be regarded as androgynous or beyond duality.) On our planet, the yang (male) element relates to the active ability of the entity to survive in its physical environment, and perceive manifest reality. Furthermore, it is the perception that allows the hidden source to actively express itself and attain self-realisation. In human life, this faculty develops from early life and is vital for adjustment to the physical plane. Many individuals however, experience resurgence (particularly in adolescence) of the other principle.

'Female'

Yin (female) is the creative principle that lies behind the arts, and infuses the 'wasteland' of the divisible world with meaning and mystery. By ingesting psychoactive narcotics, the often dominant yang element is suppressed or rearranged, giving the yang element greater influence. In representing the gateway to the interconnectedness of the source, it facilitates the means by which we experience super-sensory or paranormal reality, and the negation of apparent separateness. Yin is also the principle behind our dream states and 'alternative' healing practices.

The Source of all True Religious and Spiritual Traditions

As the conscious entity comes to recognise, experience and understand the correct order and interplay of these elements through cultivating and balancing their principles, it may generate within itself a third element of reconciliation with the eternal, infinite and unchanging source of being. In this process, the soul is transformed from latent, potential divinity into actualised, perfected divinity. It may be deduced from this realisation that the purpose of creation is the conscious merging of spirit into matter, and the return or ascent back to the source. As this evolution occurs, the manifest world of forms also evolves and adapts to match this evolution of consciousness.

Within the above paragraph we may locate the fundamental meaning behind all of humanity's true religious and mystical teachings. The most obvious example of this can be found the 'dying god' traditions throughout the ancient world in which the 'female' role is fundamental in the cyclical resurrection of the active 'male' aspect, through the application of divine love. Once the source has manifested, there is a tendency for it to become immersed in an active 'male' preoccupation with matter. It must then undergo what is known as 'ego death' and rediscovery, via the 'feminine principle', of its true identity and place in the greater scheme of things. This is also the understanding behind alchemy, which has had a profound effect on science and understanding throughout the world.

The troubadours of the Middle Ages encoded their songs of courtly love with this profound understanding. In their songs, the positive qualities of the 'active' male role (assertion as opposed to machismo - chivalry as opposed to condescension - manipulation of physical reality as opposed to immersion in materialism) must infuse, serve and be inspired by the positive qualities of the 'passive' female role (unconditional love, as opposed to 'clingy' smothering love - faith as opposed to superstition - Psychic awareness as opposed to ungrounded 'flakiness'). This balance is also the true meaning behind the 'fertility' rituals of the ancient world, and the related Grail tradition, particularly the stories in which the King is injured by a lance (male) and is recuperated by a chalice or 'grail cup' (female), thus returning life to the once 'barren' landscape.

It should be acknowledged that although the male element 'serves' the female element, it is NOT a subservient relationship, and both aspects need the influence of the other in order to function in their positive role. This is evidenced by the yin/yang symbol, with its interlocked proportions. Many in the 'new age' movement overemphasise the feminine principle at the expense of the male, which is just as destructive as if it were the other way round. Underlying this quest for balance is a fundamental and universal set of laws that regulate and promote the evolution of consciousness.

Karma and Reincarnation

Though the term karma derives from the Hindu tradition, similar doctrines may be found amongst philosophical and religious traditions throughout the world. . In simple terms, this law states that through free will, our reality in the present moment is merely a natural 'effect' stemming from previous 'causes'. The law of karma is also an expression of the eternal singular source - karma is underpinned by equilibrium and unity and is a system that seeks to redress imbalance and express unity.

When an entity affects the state of its environment through its thoughts, words and actions, it must inevitably experience a reality that reflects the intention or intentions, whether conscious or unconscious, that lay behind them. From the highest perspective, Intent can be seen to be either an agent of LOVE or FEAR, or progression towards or away from the source. When we look at the world with only our five senses, it is very difficult to perceive the inner motivation behind human behaviour. For instance, someone might give money to charity either with a selfless intent of LOVE, or they may do it to make themselves look better in the eyes of others (really a FEAR of how others see them). Therefore, depending on the intent they will either experience a 'future' reality affirmation of love, or the fearful illusion of others judging them.

As soon as a thought, word or action becomes manifest in the lower spectrum of temporary and spatially bound forms, it becomes essentially a neutral phenomenon. It is just pure energy, whizzing around the cosmos, interpreted by our nervous system according to our own predilections. From this perspective, there is really no such thing as 'good' and 'bad', only the logical and impersonal process of cause and effect. Similarly, there are no 'victims' (incidentally, this does not mean that we should let others 'suffer' because they 'deserve' it. After all, what does that say about OUR intentions?)

We can see that consciousness may therefore have a tendency to adversely react to (i.e. perceive as 'good' or 'bad') neutral and illusory phenomena that it itself has created, and in doing so create more neutral present moment realities, calibrated to reflect and tempt a re-enactment of this previous intention. The only thing a conscious entity can ever do 'wrong' therefore, is to misinterpret an external, essentially neutral reality, as reflecting anything other than its divine and whole nature of LOVE. We may remember that in the Garden of Eden, it was humanity's recognition of 'good' and 'evil' that led to its 'fall'.

Intent is of the utmost importance, and in the eyes of the universe, no intent is left unnoticed. Individuals must be prepared to fathom the depths of their sub-consciousness (Know Thyself) in order to uncover conflicting intentions and break the chain. We often mask and bury FEARful intent in a labyrinth of mental constructs and external behaviour, never realising the real engine of our conscious experience. Our 'gut' response to situations, and our core inner beliefs, hold greatest sway over our lives. We can read all the great books and teachings of the world, but it makes no difference if this knowledge doesn't sink into our deepest core level of belief.

It is this habitual cycle that keeps entities on Earth locked into a continual round of death and rebirth from and into the physical plane (The Law of Reincarnation). Interestingly the etymology of the word 'habit' comes from an Egyptian word for 'shadow', indicating an area that we don't know or like about ourselves - that has no light. Furthermore, Rupert Sheldrake (scientific researcher into morphogenic fields), and Michael Talbot (Author of The Holographic Universe) both describe the physical world as being held together by 'habitual' behaviour as opposed to fixed laws.

Paradoxically, it is also important to think of habitual behaviour as being an inherent property of the lower forms of manifestation. Without habits, you would be unable to read these words, or unconsciously look both ways when you cross the road. We can think of habits, in their proper proportion, as being the scaffolding that holds the construction of a building together. However, when the building is finished (or in the analogy of consciousness, the lower-self is sacrificed and consciousness rises towards its true identity) the scaffolding (or habitual responses) can be cast aside.

We can now relate the understanding of these universal laws to our earlier understanding of universal duality. Starting with the inner intent of love (female), we can actively address (male) the shadowy illusion of imperfection, and rediscover the knowledge that we were perfect in the first place (divine). Clearly this order has been woefully transgressed. 

The Great Misunderstanding

The great misunderstanding of human history relates to our belief that our worth and enjoyment of life is solely defined by external events. That our inherent value is lacking or non-existent, and by rearranging our exterior circumstances we can be redeemed.

It is not difficult to see how this image of our-selves may have benefited established power structures down the years. For the medieval church the concept of 'original sin' made the laity dependent on the priest for salvation. In the modern capitalist/consumer society there is a similar relationship between the consumer and the product. Ideologies have come and gone (or have been cynically manipulated into being), but it's still the same old theme of insufficiency.

Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Even our language points towards the reality. When we say that someone has DIS-EASE, we are inferring that the natural state is EASE. The problem therefore, is a lack of ease, not a presence of illness. Similarly the word 'educate' comes from the Latin, EDUCERE, meaning to bring forth/ draw out. In 'educating' a child, we are therefore merely helping to manifest what he or she already knows. We have to rediscover that our inherent natural state is one of BLISS and PEACE and WISDOM. Without the knowledge of our inherent worth, we will be forever searching perceived illusory threats. We will believe that stepping outside of the consensus world-view can harm us, and will rely only on our intellect, or the esteemed intellect that a consensus of ignorance and fear has elected to positions of authority.

War and Peace

From this new perspective, we can see that the only way to change the world to the heaven it could be is to let our intentions reflect the understanding that it already is heaven, no matter what our mind or senses may tell us to the contrary. This is not to condone the behaviour of others, or bury our heads in the sand, but to recognise that attempting to change external circumstances alone reflects the intent of lack and fear. This is exactly how the elite have conditioned us to behave, and history records it has not worked once. This is why revolutions and regime changes have always led to equally or more oppressive regimes - simply as a mirror of the original fearful intent to change externally what we don't like internally.

Instead, we need to identify those things that we object to, and use them as a means to recognise and diffuse our own false sense of powerlessness. For it is only through being in and amongst the world, EXPERIENCING the reality of the situation (no matter how dark) and putting into practice our intent, that we can excavate the blockages that mask realisation of our internal perfection.

The Cinema

Throughout history, teachers and sages have devised allegories in the form of stories and legends to encapsulate the ageless wisdom. The following story (really a modern update of Plato's cave story) should help to clarify and inspire.

Imagine it's a nice sunny day and you stroll into a cinema to watch a film for the first time. When the film starts, someone behind you lets you know that this film has a twist - "You are the film director and the film will respond to whatever emotional and mental responses you have towards it", "especially whatever is at the back of your mind" they add cryptically.

You're in a good mood so a pleasant film starts up - but you've never seen a 'non pleasant' film, whatever that may be, so your curiosity is piqued. The film slowly becomes a horror movie. You become so scared and engrossed in the film that you forget that you are the film's director and that you are also a paying customer that can leave the cinema any time you want. You might get so scared that you eventually jump out of your seat and try to claw out the eyes of the evil monster on the screen. Forgetting what you were told when the film started; this only makes the monster even MORE scary.

Of course, the scary scenes can't go on forever, and after a while you can muster up a pleasant scene to deviate your mind - oh the relief! But in truth, it is only a 'pleasant' scene because it's the opposite of what is in the back of your mind - more gory special effects. For this reason the film usually has a depressing ending. However, when the film ends, you are so engrossed in the drama of it all, that of course, you call 'action!' - and a film starts up again. The plot may be slightly different, but it's still scary.

By now you've really lost the plot - all the while you are really there in a nice air-conditioned cinema with a beautiful sunny day outside. Occasionally someone taps your shoulder to remind you of this, but more often than not, you irritably push them away - you can't even remember what a sunny day looks like, and besides, not all the scenes in your film are that 'bad', are they?

After time, it's only natural that you'll get tired of all the ups and downs. Slowly, you remember what the person told you at the start. At first, you are not sure if that's what they really said, but in a spirit of adventure, you start to treat the films like an experiment. You compare what is on the screen with what may be in the back of your mind - all the time being careful not to get scared again. You realise that you can't know what's in the back of your mind without truly exploring and understanding the film plot, and equally, you can't change the film plot without first changing what's in the back of your mind. Suddenly, in a flash of light, you are there in the cinema again. You look around you and see lots of people you seem to recognise, all of them riveted to the screen, and all in the same predicament that you were.