Things Are Getting Better, Even When It Seems Like They Aren’t
We continue to suffer as our small and yet profound changes shift the course of human consciousness
I feel sadness having just read about the carnage left in the wake of the Russian army as they retreated from Kyiv. I’m reminded of the atrocities committed by the U.S. military in Vietnam. War brings atrocities regardless of who the victors and victims are because the truth of it is, when it comes to war everyone is a victim.
But I don’t much like the word “victim.” Because it suggests we’re powerless Beings suffering at the hands of some unknown perpetrator. We are not. We are powerful beyond measure, and our human suffering comes — to a large extent — as a result of us being unaware of our power.
Soldiers receive orders and act on them. And when those orders require them to do inhumane things, they must take on the trait of brutality in order to conform to the type of soldiers they are being asked to be. SS guards in German death camps were asked to do unthinkable things, and so they conformed.
Identity politics is a process of conforming. Once a person “identifies” with a particular party, or a particular slant within a party, their identity is attached to the ideology. Once that happens a person seeks to shape their thinking to conform to the ideology.
Organized religion works the same way. Once a person says I am a this or that, their identity is attached to it, and they will shape their thinking to conform to the ideology.
This is why we hurt each other so much. This is why we suffer like we do. This is why people do horrific things in war, or vote for politicians who could care less about us. This is why we follow the profit-first method of running businesses. This is why we purchase sophisticated electronic security systems to protect our homes, construct fences and walls around us, judge those with lifestyles different than our own, or think of oneself as better than those with different skin color.
This is why we separate ourselves.
And yet, I’ve been writing about how human consciousness is evolving and providing many examples of its progression. I truly feel humanity is on an upward trajectory. And then I read about the carnage in Kyiv. I’m not discouraged by it though. I recognize there is still much work to be done. I am aware of the metaphor of an ocean liner making a small barely perceptible change in course while out at sea, that results in a different destination many hundreds of miles from its original course.
Humanity is like the hugest of ocean liners. It takes great effort to change course, but very small changes result in profound results in the distant future.
The indigenous concept of The Seventh Generation Principle is about turning ocean liners by tiny amounts, because we recognize that our seemingly small efforts now, effect massive differences for the seventh generation unborn.
Humanity is shifting. But it doesn’t mean we’re done with war and separation yet. We continue to suffer as our small, and yet profound changes shift the course of human consciousness and sends ripples of goodness into the future.
I felt sadness from Will Smith’s behavior at the Academy Awards, as I’ve enjoyed and admired his work like millions of people do. But he is human like the rest of us, with a shadow side that if left unchecked will bare its ugly head at some point in time. As Maria wrote recently,
Will Smith’s career as an actor might effectively be over. Producers will likely be reluctant to invest $20+ million to hire him on as an A-lister when his reputation has been so deeply sullied. Or not. Time will tell.
Putin’s days as a leader might be numbered. Or not. Woody Allen still makes movies. Even Roman Polanski. Trumpism is still a thing, although waning.
As mentioned previously, there are many signs of culture changing in the direction of greater equality, inclusion, acceptance, and peace. While others are digging their heels in and doubling down on separation, exclusion, and hate. It’s like that. It’s like the alcoholic or addict who doubles down on drinking and using knowing full well their behavior is crazy. They just can’t help themselves.
Will Smith appears to be a man with an interest in personal development. But it’s hard to be that famous and successful and maintain a sense of perspective — to be humble and kind. It’s even harder for those who drink the seductive elixir of power, who have obsequious minions running around themselves pleasing the ruler, and remember one’s humanity.
One person in power can unleash untold destruction and suffering, but it doesn’t mean times aren’t changing for the better. Perceiving a two-degree change in an ocean liner’s direction requires great powers of observation. Just as it is to perceive the subtle changes in human consciousness. But the changes are there if we look closely enough.