Bio
Latest
This Year
Last Year
Older
Music
Links
Profile
Notes
E-Mail
Diaryland
Naivete March 11, 2008 @ 10:58 a.m.
IE, the state and nature of being naive. (I don't know if or how you can get accent marks into posts, but its a French word).
Why is it so important? Why does it come up in so many threads here on the site? Why am I making a big deal out of it? Because its one of the biggest things holding back otherwise spiritual people from fulfilling their dreams and really helping and healing the planet.
I want people to understand is that you don't have to subscribe to either of the extremes of optimism and pessimism. There is not only a way to moderate or balance them, but to embrace and integrate both of them. Its called the whole picture, and it includes both forests and trees.
Whenever we start out and are new to something, be it as big as beginning a life on Earth or just starting a new project, study, discipline, endeavour, or pursuit, there is always an initial romanticism that comes with the launch. Its symbolized very well by the first major arcana of the Tarot: the Fool. The fool has a certain enviable power because he is not yet aware of the necessity for limits and practicalities and such. He will go where angels will not dare to tread. He's optimistic and bright-eyed and full of new energy and inspiration. And he's so star-struck he doesn't notice that he's about to walk over a cliff.
When we're young, many if not most of us in Western culture are exposed to hydrogenized and bleached fairy tales that have been cleaned up for modern sensibilities and have thus lost a lot of their former charm and power. I'm afraid Disney's stuff is the worse for this. They convince us that all we have to do to make our dreams come true is believe and behave, and eventually everything we hope for will come true (with a whack from a scantilly-clad blonde fairy, of course). As we grow up and life proves to us again and again that things are not so simple, we often become disillusioned, dissapointed, and give up on our hopes and dreams.
What the real stories were trying to tell us so often though, even with the censorship, is that dreams take WORK. They require a lot more than just belief - they take patience! And frequently if not always, the work involved to make them come true is very, very UNromantic. You have to fail many times to learn how to succeed. Luck and timing play a big factor too, because oftentimes you will have to come short and be rejected not once, but twice, thrice, four times, and more! Making dreams come true can be a real BITCH! And the more other people and the outside world figure into it, the harder it is.
I am not saying that we shouldn't teach our children to believe and hope and dream. What I do think is important and often lacking is that we don't teach children the means, method, and attitude necessary to make their dreams come true and realize their goals. Is it any wonder there are whole societies now filled with adults that are so easily discouraged, taken advantage of, and resigned to their own personal definitions of failure and hopelessness? Its a fatherly inspiration that is often lacking in Western culture.
After the ball is over and initial romanticism fades away, everyone who pursues a goal or dream faces hard obstacles. And almost anyone who pursues anything worthwhile will find themselves hitting the wall at some point, absolutely convinced that they cannot and will not succeed, and having no clue what to do. Take what advice you can, think outside the box, and give yourself the space and breaks you need. But most importantly, stick with it: doggedly. Because you are only going to get through that desert by trudging on. Eventually, long after your expectations, when you have dedicated yourself to the path for its own sake, you'll unexpectedly discover yourself on the other side. Often, its only then that you can look back to realize and appreciate all the real and meaningful growth and development you've gone through.
So, why is this such a big issue for indigos and spiritual types? Because the New Age, both in the sense of the time and the movement and the ideals and the people supporting it, is really just starting to move beyond baby steps. Everything is still beautiful and romantic because the kind of perspective and change that has been advocated by people stuck to their armchairs has not really been implemented and applied on a mass scale yet. We have a whole generation of people now who have grown up and discovered this philosophy and potential, and are all optimistic and bent on changing the world. But they do not, for the most part, really know what they are up against. And without the practical advice and training that will see people through thick and thin, many are just going to collapse and fall apart at the first sign or real resistance and difficulty.
Understand that I am not saying the world cannot be changed and that we're up against impossible odds. I don't believe that for a second. But in order to overcome our enemies, whether you perceive those as your own personal demons, the demons of society at large, or even particular people, lizard or otherwise, you have to know and understand what you are up against. You must educate and train yourself thoroughly. This means gaining a comprehensive understanding of humanity, the world and yourself, because "As Above, so Below" is one of, if not THE, most important tenet that Hermes bequethed to us, and it is the key to the "Operation of the Sun" that unites Heaven and Earth.
Learn your history - both well-known and otherwise. Really find out and understand the real history of this world - what has worked and what has failed and WHY. Understand what mistakes are on the verge of repeating themselves and how to create something truly new, innovative, and lasting - something more than just a fad or another "ism". Train your body and heart to mirror and support your mind and soul, and cleanse yourself on every level and in every way. Discover what "purity" is really about and LIVE IT in every part of your life. Understand the nature of the poison that courses through the world and learn to see past the lies and glamours that institutions and individuals use to mask how really vulnerable they are to the world at large.
Be ready and able to work - hard. Because the world, and even your own psyche, are not going to give up their illusions without a fight. The era of quick and easy answers is over - let it die. Let the era of wholeness that leaves NOTHING out of the picture begin.
"Details in the Fabric" - May 31, 2009
Not So Quick Questions - April 6, 2009
The Morning Stars - Lords of the 15 - April 9, 2009
Sincerity and Faith in Magic - April 10, 2009
Not So Quick Questions (2) - April 14, 2009
|
CURRENT MOON moon phase |
