Development

It is apparent that the world is in great difficulty. Every day there is more ecological destruction, economic instability, pollution, incurable disease, overpopulation, nuclear contamination, violence, misunderstanding, misuse of power, etc.

Two basic questions are “How did we get into this situation?” and “If we know how that happened, does it give us a clue of how to get out?

”If we think of the earth without people, none of these issues would exist. Somehow human beings have created many beautiful things on earth and many, many problems. Humans have created the present situation.

What is it in the development of people that has
created such a crisis?

If one looks at a child when it is born it is primarily free flowing energy. There is not a judging mind that comes in and says, “Shall I cry now?” There is no duality, only moment to moment living. From very early on adults begin to impose behaviors and values on young beings. The innocence and aliveness of a young child begins to be clouded over. The values of society, the church, politicians and educators are imposed on children. Once they are in school this process is usually intensified in an effort to contain their aliveness and get children to behave and “learn.” Everyone becomes “domesticated.”

Children are taught to trust the values of others rather than their own senses or inner knowing and creativity. Slowly children become both more dull and passive, or they go the other direction and become rebellious.

The process of passing on beliefs and structures is needed to a certain extent for us to live with each other and function in a complex world. On the other hand a great deal of what is “taught” to young beings is not truly tested against experience and does not serve the individual or the larger community any longer. We will be wiser and happier when we look at our “conditioning.”

In “fully conditioned” adults, much of the aliveness is gone. They are very oriented to the outer world for answers and fulfillment. They do not trust themselves, generally are not happy, and feel isolated. In this state no one makes very good decisions about anything, big or small.

At a certain point a person has a choice to remain in this state, in pain and unfulfilled, yet surrounded by the material possessions of the 21st century, or to begin the inner journey of sorting through the layers of conditioning to re-discover the well-spring of energy, delight, and inner knowing which helps one feel a part of life again.

When this happens, everything changes - values, lifestyle, self-trust, relating to people and work. We begin to develop awareness and harmony with people and the world around us. There is more consciousness in all life choices. We see and become part of the bigger picture.

In order to reverse the process of conditioning, there are two general approaches: first working with the inner aliveness/spirit so that it might grow again; and second, sorting out the values, beliefs, and behaviors that one has swallowed whole – keeping the best and letting go of the rest.

The inner process is one of relaxation, awareness/witnessing, and a state of non-judgementalness. (These words are one definition of meditation.) This is the magic formula for the inner essence, spirit, being, truth, naturalness, depth and creativity to flower again. Relax and become a witness to your experience. Gain a little distance and perspective. Note your inner and outer judgements. Use methods that “still” and center your body – deep relaxation, silent or Osho active meditations, Tai Chi, deep inner awareness, inner imagery, etc.

The process of sorting out your beliefs, habits, and borrowed knowledge can be supported by a variety of tools and processes. For example, one can experiment with: keeping an honest journal, deeper sharing with a trusted person, using healthy emotional outlets, exercise and massage to relax and vitalize the body, being in a support group, moving beyond the familiar in any area, using active and silent meditations, finding deeper priorities and values, and just plain being more aware inside and outside - more and more of the time. In a certain way “awareness is all that is needed.”

Karuna Kress Ed.D.
Director, The New England Institute for Transforming Consciousness
karuna@neitc.org

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