“A gift resides in every moment”

With the impending inauguration of Donald Trump as president, the world is at a precipice.  There is a sense of surreal, almost comic unreality about this moment, as our government literally merges with reality TV.  What will come next is unknown.  Many are filled with fear and anger. Others who supported Trump are hoping that something good will come of his ascent to power. But one thing we can all say for sure: things are going to change.

Truthfully, the night that Trump won the election, I was filled with a kind of jittery glee. Although I was aghast at the outcome, this feeling was balanced by a strange calm knowing. The message that kept coming to me was: Now things are really going to happen.  No —  I didn’t think Trump was going to change things for the better. Instead, I felt certain that the world would now finally be forced to face  big cosmic choices. The big test is now upon us.  And the truth is, it was going to come, sooner or later.

If Hillary Clinton had won, things would have, more or less, been “business as usual.” Yes, things might have improved gradually  in areas such as civil and women’s rights, but in general, life would have gone on much the same as it has over the past 40 years. Most importantly, the corporations would continue to rule and most of us would revert back into a state of complacency, consumed with the usual distractions of life.

With Trump as president, however, the cosmic forces of yin and yang will now reach a peak. We are at the apex of a polarity — perhaps one of the greatest polarities that humanity has ever faced.  In the balance are greed and fear versus gratitude and love.  Selfish hoarding and separation versus trusting generosity and union.   As I discuss in my book, Active Consciousness, huge shifts are always hallmarked by such critical moments, such intense pulls between polarities.  The question is: which way will things go?

In general, things tend to move toward evolution, not de-evolution.  One thing that I feel certain of, however, is that the outcome depends on all of us. Like I said, the big test is now upon us.

Currently, many of my friends are mired in anger, bitterness, and fear, trapped in never-ending binge watching of YouTubes that only serve to exacerbate their fear and hand-wringing.  In fact, some of them are angry with me for having any kind of positive attitude at all. However, their state of mind — anticipating and fixating on the worst possible outcome — just helps bring it into being!  That is the way the world works.

No, the only way forward is to take this opportunity and seize the day. What an opportunity for humanity!  This is our time.   By working for positive change — in a positive way — we not only help to create what Charles Eisenstein calls “the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible”‘, but we also keep our sanity and our peace of mind.

Of course it won’t be easy. Trials are upon is. But it can hopefully be invigorating.

My vision:  The emergence of a deeper, more profound, and wiser version of the 60s revolution. 

Now is also the time to keep in mind the teachings of so many wise teachers and leaders of the past.  We need to remember that:

– The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!
– Violence and anger only beget more violence and anger!
– Love is the answer.
– Trust. Let go. Ride the waves of change.
– Follow your intuition, guidance, and what you love.

I’ll leave you now with two poems written by my friend, Vermont poet and activist, Namaya.

“Rise up and celebrate the new Year