Question:
Dear ASR
I’m so moved by Eric’s articles, which I have only recently started to read. I’ve had access to them for three years now, but I was not ready to read them, because I was not ready to take a position on the world events which have gripped us for the past five years.В I wanted to believe that our world leaders would handle the series of crises that has taken place and that there was nothing that I could personally do to make a difference.В I now know that this has been my very cowardly way of coping with terrible and frightening news… stuffing my head in the sand and hoping for the best… hoping to avoid being asked to get involved.
You said the following words in your article entitled “Beyond Belief,” on August 1, 2006:
It may indeed be difficult to get people to believe
there’s an energy shortage until they actually show up
at the gas pump and there’s nothing left. A lot of
people who had their houses washed away now believe in
climate change. Many are now observing that you cannot
make war on terror; all you get is more war, and more
terror.
Most people don’t set aside their beliefs and come to
astrology until they really need it.
Okay, I get that now…В and now I need it. Please help me to understand something very fundamental. How does a spiritual person respond to the acts of terrorists, like the bombing of the World Trade Towers? What should individuals do?В What should our world leaders do?В What should George Bush have done? How do we respond in a crisis like that in a way which is constructive, not destructive? I want to be taught a different way of looking at this, to understand different ways of reacting to this. I want to be better articulate how our leadership should be handling this. I want to learn what I can do to help others find a more constructive way.
I know how incredibly busy you are, but any light you can shed out this, I would greatly appreciate!! I am ready to embrace my responsibilities.
Thank you for the amazingly insightful gifts you give to your readers every week.В We are so lucky to benefit from your passion and intelligence.
My very best,
Heidi
Answers:
Dear Heidi,
You have asked one of the most important questins of our time in history: What is the correct response to what we witness?
You have also described one of the most common experiences: beliefs getting in the way of perception.
From my perspective, there is just one thing we need to do in life, whether we call ourselves spiritual, political, or whateer: be aware. We need to be aware of the world, and we need to be aware of the ideas we carry around in the world. I recognize that this can seem like a lot of work. I have a little advantage as a writer: I am always looking at my ideas in writing, and I’m constantly trying to describe both what I feel and what I see.
I’m not the only one who has discovered that some process of art or writing, anything from taking pictures to writing letters to the editor to writing a blog, is a good way to keep aware, and to keep learning. We need to be aware of when we’re actually processing information, or when we’re just swallowing it whole. Most of the time, we just kind of plug in and start swallowing whatever we’re told.
This is, I think, one of the fundamental ‘spiritual tests’ of something like the Sept. 11 incident — which is penetrating the veils. Well, you could say the spiritual aspect is supporting a compassionate response to whatever happens, and such does not include revenge.
But then there is what you might call the ‘esoteric’ side: the aspect of what some call the spiritual journey that involves looking between the cracks, behind the veils and under the layers. This is the side of spirituality that addresses occult issues. And for sure, Sept. 11 and so much of what we have witnessed since thenВ really begs to be looked at this way.
So, if you ask me, a spiritual person is able to observe when they are being lied to; and they are brave enough to look closely at what has happeped, no matter how much of the drama of history may have been thrown in front of the truth. No matter how much we’ve been manipulated. And no matter how many people have been killed in the name of ‘democracy’.
We do need the courage of God to do this.
Eric Francis
Dear Heidi,
I know what you mean, the news can be overwhelming. Your past technique of avoidance doesnt seem to work for you anymore. To me from your letter it almost sounded like you have just found yourself in a foreign country, having left all your contacts “back home”. This I know is a fragile and alienating feeling — creating a new ideological home.
I think staying in one’s truth is what gives us our power. From where you are now, I am not sure, but I dont think you are in the position to whisper into Bush’s ear and tell him what to do. But you are surely in the position to whisper to yourself, and for that you need strength.
I say take care of number one. That’s you. Take a class that you have always wanted to like Yoga or Spanish for example. Your mind is wide open. Feed it with good food that supports you. Surround yourself with like-minded, people who have also found themselves in a new land and feel sort of awkward. You won’t have to explain anything to them, like why you are there and why you want to stay.
From this place I think you will find where and how you want to act. We need you!
Thanks for writing,
Deirdre
Dear Heidi,
How does a spiritual person respond?
Precisely by being spiritual. She responds from spirit, with spirit and for spirit.
The language of spirit is love. Expressing our love for humanity is participating of the collective well being, so you are right there with many others who feel like you.
I have a couple of ideas that might help you direct your intentions into tangible actions.
These are based on the principle of vibrational medicine, which in an oversimplified definition, states that our thoughts, intentions and actions have a vibrational frequency that affects the world, and that we can heal and be healed by them.
Ritual is such a powerful creative language of love. Why don’t you design some space in you house, apartment or property dedicated to this intention of yours?
You could create a small altar, with the elements that resonate with you, and that you feel are conected with the world, humanity and earth. A global altar, i would call it. This will be a sacred place in which you honor your love for humanity, and your need to connect on a deeper level with the world. You can pray, meditate for peace, dance, keep intentional silence; you can dialogue with yourself about your desires to participate and contribute… many ideas may come up on how to do it. You could invite friends to connect with this space, and start a discussion on why you are doing this.
I would use the vibration of peace and love focused into global peace.
You might feel isolated and lonely, but believe me, you are not. You are conecting to aВ collective effort, you are making a personal commitment with the world. You are investing your time, your energy, your love for others. You are openning a space in your life for this desire to respond.
This is just an idea on making your commitment tangible. But, i assure you, that if your start, you’ll feel that you are doing something. You are healing yourself and the world on a same breath.
I hope this resonates with you,
Paloma
Hello,
I’ll add this – which I think is a brilliant parody because it makes fun of our so human condition of being helpless in the face of enormous global tragedy. This is from The Onion’s very daring issue right after Sept. 11 — which came out two weeks later (as they had a scheduled vacation). You have to hand it to them — they have balls to be the first to get people laughing that soon after the whole thing went down.
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28148
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