| Why
an Enlightened Community? Sometime
when people are talking, pretend you don’t understand the
language they are speaking. See how much you can get from the
tone of their voice and gestures. Observe the behavior that goes
beyond their words. Just feel the energy contained within the
interpersonal dynamic.
You
can generalize this to large groups. Watching the energetics of
a lecturer (that which exudes beyond the words) can be fascinating.
Yet, watching the energetics of the audience can be even more
fascinating. A group consciousness takes over. This can also be
witnessed in a broad range of animal species: dogs running in
a pack, newborn pups curling up together, the movement of a flock
of birds, etc.
I
found the group consciousness to be particularly disturbing when
viewing the post-911 television broadcasts of the congressional
meetings. A fervor consumed the group, but their attention was
on their concepts and notions. The agitated state of their psyches
(which is the most important factor) went unnoticed. Making major
decisions, such as the declaration of war, while in this kind
of state is terribly unwise.
Societies
as a whole also embody characteristic group consciousness. It
is the mentality or tonal quality of the group consciousness that
determines the nature of thoughts and attitudes. However, this
goes largely unrecognized. Generally, our attitudes are seen as
justifiable by virtue of the thoughts we entertain. Little attention
is given to the fact those thoughts are mere expressions of a
mentality, an emotional and psychological state that lies deeper
than thoughts.
The
group mentality in America at this time is very much about being
an independent thinker and your own person. What often goes unnoticed
is that this is not independent thought, but enslavement to a
group consciousness that professes independent thought. In our
culture, “independent thinking” is respected, provided
it falls within certain narrow parameters, such as social correctness,
political correctness, allegiance with one’s sub cultural
philosophy (including anti-culture), etc. These allegiances are
very easy to see or even feel by visiting any group or fellowship
of your choosing: church on Sunday, political rallies, marches
for a cause, etc. In other words, it is not really independent
thought at all.
It
is not as easy to rise above the tonal group consciousness as
one may think. It is as all-pervading as rain. The weather affects
everyone. Interestingly enough, the independent undercurrent of
modern mentality compels us to believe otherwise. We strive to
live in denial of the influence group consciousness has upon us
in declaration of our own autonomy. The truth is, we are so immersed
in it, we cannot see beyond it.
So,
how do you free yourself from the clutches of group consciousness?
Or, even better, how do you use the dynamic of group consciousness
to propel your evolution forward instead of allowing it to enslave
you? The answer to that is more elusive than one may think.
Generally,
groups assemble in the name of a lofty philosophy—a belief
system based upon a set of ideals. Though the intent is most noble,
there is an inherent flaw in the process. Once again, emphasis
is put upon self-justifying thoughts. The actual tonal quality
of the group mentality goes unnoticed. In fact, imbalances or
incongruities in that mentality can even be exacerbated in service
of the chosen philosophy. Extreme examples of this might include
the rageful mentality of the terrorists. They embrace a philosophy
which justifies their outlashes, a result of the hateful tonal
quality of their group mentality.
I
have found it most disheartening to speak with members of spiritual
groups from New Age and Eastern disciplines. Their words express
the mentality they have mistakenly embraced as evolution. This
is not a criticism of those groups, as much as it is a recognition
of the state we find our species in. It is very difficult for
people who are immersed in, and born of, a particular mentality
to see that. In fact, they see their philosophy originated from
that mentality as the thing that will emancipate them. This is
characteristic of the state of our species at this time. It is
what even spiritual leaders do with the greatest teachings of
the most enlightened masters. People look to them as gurus and
enlightened masters, unable to see they are entrenched by the
same dynamic.
Attempts
to create an ideal or enlightened society have succumbed to that
dynamic throughout history—even societies whose philosophies
are based upon love and the teachings of great enlightened masters.
The foundation of a society is upside down, lest the tonal quality
be addressed and worked with first and foremost. The philosophy
is then the secondary manifestation. For evolution to be fostered,
it is necessary to live in a group where the tonal quality is
the focus. Otherwise, the influence of the group consciousness
where you live will color your mentality as surely as you will
get wet if you walk outside in the rain. There are plenty of communities
out there already who are indoctrinating people into a philosophy
that is representative of the group mentality.
The
focus, then, is to create a community where the disturbances,
imbalances, and impurities in the group mentality are purged from
the greater physiology in a completely natural manner. A philosophy
can be employed to assist that process, provided that philosophy
is held in the context discussed here. If not, then even the greatest
teachings of the most enlightened masters in history will be reduced
to an abomination of what was originally meant. The trick is to
be able to use those philosophies without them using you. Otherwise,
the shovels employed to dig for the gold are mistaken for the
gold (the wisdom within you).
Good
advice is everywhere, but only the wise know when they hear it.
Creating
just one such ideal or enlightened community will stand as a model
for all of society. Just as the sun radiates its influence to
permeate our entire globe, so the influence of this community
will radiate a new way of being that will permeate humanity. It
will free the individuals to rest into their own true divine nature—a
place inside that lies beyond the grasp of notions and philosophies,
a place inside that resolves the conflicts of the limitless contradictions
and paradoxes that have confounded humanity throughout the ages.
It must not be a place that indoctrinates people into an attitude
or philosophy. Too many such communities have already come and
gone throughout history.
The
art of creating such a community is profoundly subtle. Our habit
is to cling to notions and adhere to philosophies as the thing
that will enlighten us. The finesse required to move humanity
beyond that mindset cannot be overstated. However, this is our
purpose: to move humanity to that whole new level of evolution.
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