I was listening to RN yesterday talking about the quest of living for today only - which I interpret as being related to instant gratification (a term penned by Scott Peck in The Road Less Travelled) - where we don't take into account the impact of consumerism and self-gratification on the Bigger Picture and the Future of the planet - and our species - the grandchildren. Another program on RN discussed how even politicians in Australia at this time appear to have their focus on self-gratification and over focus on living for today only, where they set out for a moment of fame for themselves and their party with no long term plans or picking up of threads. They cited how there have been so many different leaders in many of the leading parties in the last decade after previous decades of the same leaders steadily guiding the way.
This got me thinking about the spiritual trend at present to live in the NOW and how this may look from a SPP (Shamanic Path and Practice Perspective) and The 8 Ways that guide it. The third Way (Mana Wa Hele) means Live In The Light. Living in harmony with time and change will allow you to stay in your power. The words themselves carry multiple meanings, which is the way of Hawaiian language. However, the meaning that was channelled to me is: Mana – power; Wa – time, turn, seasons, change; Hele – come, go.
When combined with the Fifth way, we begin to be guided how to manage urges of self-expression and self-gratification with disregard to how this may impact what happens next or the future for generations to come. The Fifth Way is - Ku Ala – Be Present. Walking consciously, in awareness. (Ku – to stand; stop; remain. Ala – to awake). I have been further guided that this means to be present with one's Self, time, and space - or the environment you live in.
Summing it all up, it is possible to see the power that comes from being in flow with time as it is now - not looking too far ahead, and not being drawn back into the past. However, at the same time, having the capacity to step back and look at the (possible) energetic impact of one's thoughts and intentions, words, actions, and reactions. I bracket ' possible' because you can actually choose all of these carefully - toss them round in your head and look at how the future may or may not unfold when you throw them in the mix. However, most of us unconsciously think, speak, act, and react - and even when this is the case - you can still 'be present' with the energetic impact of all of this.
For me the key to living well in a spirited and loving way is Self-responsibility and awareness of one's energy – and noting its impact on beyond you and your world. It takes mastery of firm principles and great trust in your personal values to be able to speak authentically from the heart and take the risk of letting others know your truth in this moment of time. And it takes incredible wisdom to understand it may not be the only truth that there is - that when you step back from having it all your way - from self-gratification right now - and look at the Bigger Picture - observe how much energy you are consuming by holding on to your desires and beliefs, you may actually realise the power of 'letting go', and accepting there may be another way that will benefit you and all parties involved.
Connie Henson and Peter Rossouw (in BrainWise Leadership - Practical neuroscience to survive and thrive at works, 2013, p50) explain that when ‘BrainWise’ teams think together, sharing ideas and concepts and trusting in their differences, a powerful synergy of creative ideas and insights can emerge. If only our politicians could learn to do this well – where a round table could see leaders from all fields tabling their own creative concepts without attachment and holding back criticism on opposing ideas – rather seeking out the wisdom and best bits of all that is in the mix to create a synergetic solution that considers not only what is good right now – but is best for future generation and the planet.
It has been my dream for current models of politics to be seriously challenged. It is time, in my view, to create a panel of the wisest people of the land together– long-standing and respected politicians from the past, and those who aspire to be leaders in the future – the young elders not yet corrupted by power. The policies that are argued in parliament without easy solutions can be given to these “Wise and Budding Leaders and Mentors’ to debate over, to explore and expand, between wise elder and young elder minds, for synergetic, wise solutions that reflect past, present and future circumstances be found for the good of all.