As I mentioned before, I have undertaken a campaign to read as many of the current books on 2012 as I can. One thing I've noticed: while the writers disagree on exactly what is going to happen and on what level of being, they all agree that something big will happen on or around 2012. Whether it's major changes on the planet itself, or 'merely' changes within human consciousness, something is coming.
What they also have is common is not giving any strategy as to deal with these changes.
Some say doomsday, some say heaven on earth or elsewhere.
All well and good. I don't know about you, but 'big changes' of any sort tend to 'freak me out' just a little. What? Where? When? Is it the Rapture? Am I going? Etc. etc. Our tendency as humans is to start wondering and worrying. Should I bother to pay my income tax?
I have been thinking about 'the end of the world' all my life. I dreamt about it constantly as a child and expected it to occur in my lifetime. I was one of those kids who went through nuclear attack drills. Hiding under the desk, come on. I also expected contact with beings from other planes, planets, dimensions.
Having grown up a Catholic, I was taught that the Virgin Mary had appeared to shepherd children in Fatima with three letters. The last and final one was to be opened on what just happened to be my 12th birthday, in 1960. I heard about this when I was 7, so I had a few years to think about it. The night before my birthday, I went to bed with my rosary expecting not to see another day. Imagine my surprise when everything went on 'as normal'. After awhile, I wondered if somehow I had heard wrong. If my child mind had imagined it. It was many years before I met another person who had heard the same thing and anticipated the same event just as I had.
There have been other situations throughout my life. I have always felt I was preparing or waiting for 'the end of the world'. Thus I have developed several methods of both preparing for it and dealing with the fear or stress involved.
According to many, we are already in the conjunction to the Galactic Center and whatever is going to happen, is already happening. Look around you and pay attention. What is happening?
1. The Economy as we have known it - is collapsing.
2. Organized religions have so distorted the message of their original Messengers, that people committing crimes in the name of religion.
3. There are no guarantees.
4. There is no such thing as security.
5. All the 'knowns' and 'givens' are vanishing.
6. Rapid and constant changes are occurring.
7. Weather patterns are changing and beginning to affect all aspects of life.
8. Things seem to be 'falling apart'.
Whoopee, I'm excited. Oh yeah? More like - Yikes! Now what?
I will start writing about some of the things that I have found to help. I would love to have your ideas and feedback.
Among the current 'beliefs' is that we create our reality. I believe we create with our thoughts and our emotions. Thus, what we are feeling, in relation to both the changes that are occurring and those that will come, is extremely important. Living in fear and dread is not healthy, nor will it bring about the most positive outcome possible. It is not helpful to feel guilty about not being able to be positive either. You feel what you feel. But often our feelings are based on things we imagine to be true, not what is actually happening.
One very strong pain-killer on the market functions well because it breaks the relationship to time. It puts you into present time. Now this is great if you have chronic pain, because you are neither remembering all the pain you have been in for the last several hours, days, weeks, month etc., nor are you anticipating continuous pain. You only feel the pain of the moment. Ah ha! A strategy for dealing with fear. No, not taking this medication. Rather, learning to stay in present time.
One of the things that will happen for sure on December 21, 2012 is the end of a 5125 year cycle in the Mayan Calendar. Mayan scholars say it is a cycle within huger cycles. Kind of like the end of a 1000 year cycle in our calendar. Yes, they have caused turmoil in people's minds in the past, but the world did not end.
Some say, that the concept of 'Time' itself will end. That we will all live in the eternal present. Sounds like Nirvana!
Start now. Practice being present. Hmmm.... Haven't the Buddhists been teaching this for centuries? YES! Exactly. All the religions of the world contain kernels of TRUTH. Aside from the politics that have crept in, religions were usually brought by enlightened Masters, Messengers, Angelic communication, etc. and contain methods for improving LIFE here and now and the hereafter if there is one. Learning to be present is one major strategy for improving your life right here, right now. It can't hurt you. Why not try it?
When you find yourself falling into fear about what might happen, change your focus on what is actually true right now in the moment. Experience and feel what you have right now, not what you lack. Try to see how your perspective on whatever is happening in the present has to do with your attitude. See the glass half full rather than the glass half empty. Have gratitude for what you have. As you are able to do this, your experience of the moment seems to expand and fill your mind, leaving less or no room for the negative thoughts. Practice this constantly throughout the day in different circumstances until it becomes second nature. Here is a guarantee. To the extent that you can stay in present time, your life will get better right here, right now. And... folks, that's all we've got.
Love and blessings.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Hand Clow and Calleman
Finally finished reading a book by Barbara Hand Clow, called: "The Mayan Code: Time Acceleration and Awakening the World Mind." Hard to get through. That should tell you something. Hard to understand her point. Seemed to be based on one of those arguments that goes something like this: "It's true because I say it's true." A tautology, I think they call it. She seems to think that just because you say something or worse yet, it gets published, it must be true.
As I prepare to teach my course on the Maya and 2012 this summer, I plan to read all the books I can on 2012, even those I think are fringe, because I want to familiarize myself with the "literature". Reading Hand Clow's book was drudgery because she just repeated herself again and again. And, since I have a grounding in academe, I expect someone to make an argument before coming to a conclusion.
Her main point seemed to be the 'truth' of the ideas presented by Carl Johan Calleman in "The Mayan Calendar and the Transformation of Consciousness." Just because someone has a Ph.D.in one topic, does not make him/her and expert in everything. I read that book very carefully and for the life of me, I don't understand how he arrives at his 'discovery.' It is one of those constructs for which there is no evidence in Maya belief systems past or present.
Just as there are 'weirdos' in our culture, there are often 'weirdos' in indigenous cultures. Why is it that we think that every Mayan knows the esoteric knowledge of his culture, when most Americans don't even know their 200 year history, let alone the philosophers of Greece? Many years ago while working on my B.A. in Anthropology I had to read a book called "Marginal Natives" for a class. A valuable book, it showed me how anthropologists are fooled and led astray when studying indigenous cultures - either intentionally or by choosing 'informants' who just want to work with the anthropologist, but who know nothing about their culture. In fact, one could make the argument, that only a marginal person would dare speak to an outsider in the first place. What do they stand to gain within their culture by talking about hidden knowledge? At best, they make a few dollars for their efforts, at worst, they are killed by their peers. It's not just anthropologists who are lied to, fooled, given the run-around. I have done my share of fieldwork with native people in California and Mexico. I have had people tell me one thing over coffee and then when the tape-recorder got turned on, tell me something completely different, denying having ever said anything else. I have also watched native people deliberately fool people for a laugh. Haven't you ever done something like that?
In any case, Calleman has developed an elaborate concept and Hand Clow has run with it. After reading both their books, I still don't get it. The only part that makes any sense to me is that time does seem to be accelerating. Everyone I know feels the same way. Of course, most of the people I know are over 50, so that might be why we feel this way.
One thing I found intriguing in Hand Clow's books was a concept of memory of catastrophe that exists within our psyches and has been handed down genetically from around 9,500 B.C. It causes us to be born with a certain amount of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), which affects our entire lives. Since we all have this memory, we are easily driven into fear about the 'end of the world', because way back in time, our ancestors experienced it due to floods, asteroids, or other catastrophic 'natural' events. Since we all have this memory deep within, it can easily get activated. Because many are billing '2012' as the 'end of the world', we are reacting in fear instead of seeing it as a beneficial time of transformation.
What do you think? End of the world or time of spiritual transformation?
As I prepare to teach my course on the Maya and 2012 this summer, I plan to read all the books I can on 2012, even those I think are fringe, because I want to familiarize myself with the "literature". Reading Hand Clow's book was drudgery because she just repeated herself again and again. And, since I have a grounding in academe, I expect someone to make an argument before coming to a conclusion.
Her main point seemed to be the 'truth' of the ideas presented by Carl Johan Calleman in "The Mayan Calendar and the Transformation of Consciousness." Just because someone has a Ph.D.in one topic, does not make him/her and expert in everything. I read that book very carefully and for the life of me, I don't understand how he arrives at his 'discovery.' It is one of those constructs for which there is no evidence in Maya belief systems past or present.
Just as there are 'weirdos' in our culture, there are often 'weirdos' in indigenous cultures. Why is it that we think that every Mayan knows the esoteric knowledge of his culture, when most Americans don't even know their 200 year history, let alone the philosophers of Greece? Many years ago while working on my B.A. in Anthropology I had to read a book called "Marginal Natives" for a class. A valuable book, it showed me how anthropologists are fooled and led astray when studying indigenous cultures - either intentionally or by choosing 'informants' who just want to work with the anthropologist, but who know nothing about their culture. In fact, one could make the argument, that only a marginal person would dare speak to an outsider in the first place. What do they stand to gain within their culture by talking about hidden knowledge? At best, they make a few dollars for their efforts, at worst, they are killed by their peers. It's not just anthropologists who are lied to, fooled, given the run-around. I have done my share of fieldwork with native people in California and Mexico. I have had people tell me one thing over coffee and then when the tape-recorder got turned on, tell me something completely different, denying having ever said anything else. I have also watched native people deliberately fool people for a laugh. Haven't you ever done something like that?
In any case, Calleman has developed an elaborate concept and Hand Clow has run with it. After reading both their books, I still don't get it. The only part that makes any sense to me is that time does seem to be accelerating. Everyone I know feels the same way. Of course, most of the people I know are over 50, so that might be why we feel this way.
One thing I found intriguing in Hand Clow's books was a concept of memory of catastrophe that exists within our psyches and has been handed down genetically from around 9,500 B.C. It causes us to be born with a certain amount of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), which affects our entire lives. Since we all have this memory, we are easily driven into fear about the 'end of the world', because way back in time, our ancestors experienced it due to floods, asteroids, or other catastrophic 'natural' events. Since we all have this memory deep within, it can easily get activated. Because many are billing '2012' as the 'end of the world', we are reacting in fear instead of seeing it as a beneficial time of transformation.
What do you think? End of the world or time of spiritual transformation?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Ek' Waynal
In the course of my research, I discovered a hieroglyph the Maya used which represented the Galactic Center. True to Mayan languages, the glyph has many meanings including: the "black hole", "star portal", and "place of dreaming". It is the place the shamans go in vision quests and dreams. It is also where your "double" resides. It is read Ek' Waynal.
I have created a graphic using it and am offering some products for sale. These will eventually included T shirts, mugs, caps and tote bags. For now, I only have buttons and magnets. Click the Cafe Press button in the sidebar.
I have created a graphic using it and am offering some products for sale. These will eventually included T shirts, mugs, caps and tote bags. For now, I only have buttons and magnets. Click the Cafe Press button in the sidebar.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Apocalypse Any Day Now
Currently devouring a book by Lawrence E. Joseph called Apocalypse 2012: An Investigation Into Civilization's End.
In my research, I have, until now, stayed away from titles which seem to predict doom and gloom because I do not want to buy in to that mindset. However, on the side of objectivity and thoroughness, I decided I had to read everything there is (as much as is humanly possible)
I am having a hard time tearing myself away from this one. Joseph, a journalist and science consultant, is an excellent writer. He keeps you hooked.
The book basically presents scientific data concerning such things as: volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, the activity of the Sun and other astronomical facts that show compelling evidence that "something" could definitely happen anytime.
It is full of facts and still reads like a mystery novel. I highly recommend it.
Towards the end of the book, he mentions the numerous cultural and spiritual traditions that point to 2012 as an "end date".
For me, the most interesting material is on how volcanoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes are interrelated and connected to Sun activity. According to Joseph, it is not just global warming but solar system warming that we have to fear and.... buying a different car is not going to make any difference.
He also stresses the fact that not only are the experts in these various fields, not looking at the data from the other fields, they are not even aware of it. Each scientific community insulated from one another, speaking their own arcane language, talking only to each other. This is exactly why it took us so long to interpret the Maya Hieroglyphs.
For decades the various disciplines - linguistics, archaeology, art history, cultural anthropology and biology among others, each did their studies of the Maya. It was not until the late '70s that they began to speak to each other about their findings and to share information. Because of their collaboration, there has been incredible progress. So much so that there is now a dictionary that includes the Mayan, Spanish and English words (more on this later).
What will it take for the different sciences to do the same in regards to upcoming disaster scenarios for planet Earth?
Strangely enough, although the case for THE END is well made, I feel good. Hmmm Why is that? Well, since the pressure is off me to try to "fix" something, I realize that living fully in the moment is ALL THERE IS! And so, I intend to. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" Meher Baba preached and now I see why.
In my research, I have, until now, stayed away from titles which seem to predict doom and gloom because I do not want to buy in to that mindset. However, on the side of objectivity and thoroughness, I decided I had to read everything there is (as much as is humanly possible)
I am having a hard time tearing myself away from this one. Joseph, a journalist and science consultant, is an excellent writer. He keeps you hooked.
The book basically presents scientific data concerning such things as: volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, the activity of the Sun and other astronomical facts that show compelling evidence that "something" could definitely happen anytime.
It is full of facts and still reads like a mystery novel. I highly recommend it.
Towards the end of the book, he mentions the numerous cultural and spiritual traditions that point to 2012 as an "end date".
For me, the most interesting material is on how volcanoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes are interrelated and connected to Sun activity. According to Joseph, it is not just global warming but solar system warming that we have to fear and.... buying a different car is not going to make any difference.
He also stresses the fact that not only are the experts in these various fields, not looking at the data from the other fields, they are not even aware of it. Each scientific community insulated from one another, speaking their own arcane language, talking only to each other. This is exactly why it took us so long to interpret the Maya Hieroglyphs.
For decades the various disciplines - linguistics, archaeology, art history, cultural anthropology and biology among others, each did their studies of the Maya. It was not until the late '70s that they began to speak to each other about their findings and to share information. Because of their collaboration, there has been incredible progress. So much so that there is now a dictionary that includes the Mayan, Spanish and English words (more on this later).
What will it take for the different sciences to do the same in regards to upcoming disaster scenarios for planet Earth?
Strangely enough, although the case for THE END is well made, I feel good. Hmmm Why is that? Well, since the pressure is off me to try to "fix" something, I realize that living fully in the moment is ALL THERE IS! And so, I intend to. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" Meher Baba preached and now I see why.
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