In the Beginning of the New Way~

What better day to start a new thread,
as the “End of the World” is full and it is time,
as Lady Lavendar suggested,, to give ourselves a fresh outlook.
 
And because today is World Shift Day ~ what better
day for new beginnings ~ as the gift of each new day,
actually is the beginning of a new way`
today and everyday.
 
So henceforth, let us call anything previous to this day,
the 17th May 09 ~ the old days and ways.
 
In the beginning ~ I declare a New Way !

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Lovely Sandy.

I am sure we all have a personal dream of what peace on earth is like.  Mine is a world of small self sustaining villages, where everyone knows each other, and the village shops return once again… the baker, the fish monger, the florist, and the farmers.  

The concept of growth is spiritual in nature, there are no companies whose sole purpose is profit making… why do we impose economic growth on ourselves?  Who says an economy must grow to be successful?  Can't an economy just be?

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Sandy, as this is a new way, I will try to listen more attentively, and be less dogmatic.

Dave, the world of your personal dream is one where everybody has a place, whereas our current world seems to alienate many. may I suggest that there will always be some for whom the village is not enough, but I'm sure our new way can accommodate them too.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Hey Chaparral,

I agree with you entirely.  The beauty of a new world of peace is that it will honor the hearts and callings of every human on earth.  There is no one answer of what peace looks like… except that whatever it is…  our collective hearts will sing with joy.

Perhaps for me, I was raised in a smaller town, with a beautiful Main Street, and happy people who knew each other.  

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Nice, Dave and Chaparral -nice to be on the same begining !

Perhaps our positivity will bring hope to the hearts of those
who may still doubt -at least we can spread a little sunshine.

Being raised in a small town is definetly an advantage -and I too
have had a rural up-bringing to a become a city folk -who longs
 for that kind of eutopia again.
But yes, there are always those for whom the bright lights hold
more attraction and it is in the cities that peace needs to settle most.
Large cities however can be broken down into smaller settlements
within them and peace can be made in small segements.

It is just a matter of joining the chain together, link by link.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

hmm … joining the chain together, link by link … and cutting off from the chain that is not pulling in the direction you want to go.

It is important to connect with those you connect with, but it is also just as important as disconnecting from those who you do not connect with.

Discernment and judgment is critical in this beginning of the new way.  As the decision of the individual become more and more powerful, the definition and the structure of the new way must let go of the “old way” in order for it to be released back into the collective unconsciousness (or simply away from your conscious experience) in order to find its place of connectedness to the “new way” in a positive linkage. 

Some reminders from the Velvet Babies' title cut song, “End of An Era and Visions of this So-Called Etheral Bliss” … no video, but the track is on iTunes … is what I listen to when I feel the moment seems not to reflect the future I envision.

“Just keep moving forward,
marching into the future.
Don't look back.
Don't think twice. 
Don't rewind.
Never regret.
Don't worship the dead.
Stop asking why?
Stop holding your breathe.
Don't ask for justice.”

Release of the “old” that does not connect with your vision of this moment and the future is important.

Dealing with residual connection gunk, as it were, is often where we get stuck in our notion that life is hard, needs to be full of suffering, etc. 

Its kind of like, what do we do now that we STILL have a President who is expanding and increasing war, even though he said he was against war?

We can't necessarily just let it go, and we must do something to move the present reality into the vision of peace we have for our world – how do you cut that link?

How do you remove the “war mentality” link from our consciousness to allow it to flow back into the collective unconsciousness to be restored, renewed and realigned to the vision of a non-violent peaceful reality?

peace & harmony,
elaine
'freedom must be exercised to stay in shape!'

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Well -I had never thought of discarding old chains -
couldn't we just replace the links?

I don't think every single person has to get along -but each group
of people must have a communicator (link) -to connect with the
next group ( chain) .

I agree with letting the old go and not looking back -and that is
the hardest part to attain, for many people really do live in the past-
not having hope for the future.
So we must show them a rosy future, paint them a picture of
rosy new vision, in order to eradicate and replace those old thoughts
and memories of war.

Hope will never die !

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

business voodoo/elaine:

Discernment and judgment is critical in this beginning of the new way.

Don't they belong to the old way? Aren't they, in a way, what started the wars in the first place? What wars have they ever stopped, definitively? The trouble with discernment and judgment is, they can only ever be as sound as the one(s) doing the judging; and we are all human. So it comes back to the individual, doesn't it?

Its kind of like, what do we do now that we STILL have a President who is expanding and increasing war, even though he said he was against war?

In my opinion, what we *do* about this situation, the first step, we back off a bit and observe. We ask ourselves: Is this thing that I think I'm seeing, absolute reality? Or is it my reality, my perception? Not the same thing at all, even if *my reality* reflects that of many other individuals.

We can't necessarily just let it go, and we must do something to move the present reality into the vision of peace we have for our world – how do you cut that link?

A vision of peace is only that, a vision. The question is: Now, in this moment, are you/am I a living example of peace? If what we're looking for is future peace, it will always remain elusive, in the future. But if we ensure that our every interaction, our every relationship is imbued with peace—a peace that lives inside our individual selves—that's where world peace has its start.

How do you remove the “war mentality” link from our consciousness to allow it to flow back into the collective unconsciousness to be restored, renewed and realigned to the vision of a non-violent peaceful reality?

To my way of thinking, the war mentality already is in the collective unconscious. Would we be embroiled in these global wars, local wars, personal wars—wars at every level—if it weren't? We *remove* the link by seeing it is there, in us as individuals. We *remove* it by becoming peace, we as individuals. In fact, we don't remove it at all, we heal it, we transform it, the link that we are. A chain becomes whole not through mass hypnosis or by some as yet uninvented technology, but link by link by link. We lead by example, we spread peace by living it in our own lives.

As for removing individual links (cutting [a link] off from the chain that is not pulling in the direction you want to go), is there a hope of achieving global peace with even a single link left out in the cold?

Ruth

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Very intersting Ruth.
If, the war mentality IS in our consciousness-we must start
the change there.
Living, breathing peace and practising it in our lives is the only way to change it.
We all must BE it -no more petty, childish arguments -which have the basis
to esculate into full blown war!
We do not call the wars though, it is the Governments and Religious
Leaders that do that.
What we have to do is NOT support them, not vote them in,not
participate in their actions.
THEN we can stop war and be at peace…

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

A peaceful way must always start with ourselves, when we attain this we naturally spread peace to whoever we meet, so the key is communicating our peace - “the new way” - however we do need to constantly work on our own inner peace!

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Sandy:

We do not call the wars though, it is the Governments and Religious Leaders that do that.

I don't see the governments and religious leaders going to war. Without us, the individuals, is war possible? If not, then where ultimately does the responsibility for war lie?

What we have to do is NOT support them, not vote them in, not participate in their actions.

And take the consequences… Are we willing to take the consequences?

THEN we can stop war and be at peace…

War cannot be stopped in the future. Peace cannot be achieved in the future. There is no future, there is only now. In a sense there is no we, there is only I, and what I can do, right now in this very moment. The responsibility rests with me.

Ruth

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

That is true - the Leaders do not go to war- but they call it,they are
responsible.
People respond for many reason's though I am sure there is not one
individual soldier that say's hey lets go to war on which ever Country.
They sign up to defend -and yes serve - and we need them as peacekeepers
as well as for natural and other disasters.
It is their life and their income and they must uphold to do their duty.

So therefore, we cannot put it on them to resist -or if they did,
it would have to be a total rebillion with the entire army refusing
to go to war.
The chances of that are remote -so in order to help them, we the
general public, must show our dissent at the polls.
And if Leaders renege on their election promises, they should be
held accountable -and sacked!
Can we do this -yes if we only stood together- and I wonder what
it will take before people are no longer afraid to rebel.
Or what action will be so repellant to us that we will demand change?

Tai says peace begins within -which it does, but I guess we have to
find new ways to not only share that -but also to become pro-active
in the ways of the world instead of apathetic.

Wow- this new way is a massive task -but we can do it, globally,
Country by Country uniting .

Yes the responsibilty begins with me/us , Ruth -but when we know
we have achieved that within isn't it our duty to encourage and enlist
other's -to be a Peace- Force?
Not to lead them, but to ask them to come alongside us,
shoulder to shoulder, acting as one.
We were one, we seek to be one again in the Universe.

Yes ?

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

The leaders most definitely do start wars.
 They play upon a pre existing culture, using well understood tools (propoganda, army training etc)
 to play upon well understood human survival traits (adrenalin, the herd instinct, comradeship, submission to authority etc)
 and then they tell us more lies to sustain our efforts to kill each other.
Our failing as a species is to fail to see through this cheap and shabby trick, and to rise above it. And nobody that ever Wanted to be a leader (we all know the tiny handful of exceptions) has chosen to do anything serious about it.
 We desire to be united, and “they” desire to divide and rule.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Chaparral,

I like your use of the words.. to rise above it…

The use of fear is a base human emotion, where love is a higher wave… and one that transcends fear.

While love, and peace do reside within us… methinks that we must not only rise above the actions of the fear mongers, we must also rise above our own fears.

Sometimes we want our cake and eat it to.  We want a healthy economy, we want a satisfactory job, and we want the comforts of life.  

While we are all prepared in our hearts to stand up against war, are we prepared to lose our homes, or our jobs, or even our freedoms and lives in the name of peace?  For those who seek to control us, control our freedoms and comforts as well.

Martin Luther King did. Mother Teresa did.  Nelson Mandela did.  Jesus did. The Kennedy's did.  Gandhi did.  They were prepared to lose everything, and at one point in their lives… they all did.



Unless we are prepared to give up everything… we will be destined to abhor those who inspire war, and at the same time… depend on them for the comforts and security in our lives.  They know this in their minds… and we know it in our hearts.

This is the reason there is such a small handful of leaders of truth and peace… because the majority of humans are too afraid to give up everything in the name of peace.

When, or if we do, we can change the world.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

The leaders start the wars and we fight them.
They get a fight going, and we jump in.
They make the plans, we carry them out.
Who is responsible? Who carries the weapons? Who does the killing?

I am not saying the leaders aren't responsible for what they do.
I am saying that we are responsible for what we do. Or don't do.

We are the leaders in the New Way. Are we up for the challenge?

Dave said: Unless we are prepared to give up everything… we will be destined to abhor those who inspire war, and at the same time… depend on them for the comforts and security in our lives.  They know this in their minds… and we know it in our hearts.

We talk/dream about, yearn/ache/hope for, peace. But are we prepared to lose our homes, or our jobs, or even our freedoms and lives in the name of peace? (Dave again)

For some reason I'm reminded of this short poem by Rumi:

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

I can't speak for everyone -but I, myself am prepared to do that,
and have in fact done so..
I have walked within the shadow of death -and it has
cost me a lot of my freedom.
But not my freedom of speech, which we do have, although we
have to learn to do it wisely.
But, when I called on my friends, some of them betrayed me,
because of their own fears.
So I guess what I learned from that, after paying the price, was
to not depend on anyone, at the end of the day, but myself!

Yet in my heart, I long for that support to take on the world,
to protect and defend ourselves, to make a war free zone.
I have never lost my hope, even though at times it has clouded,
that we, as the  human race can achieve all that is good, all that
is right.
The bottom line- is our consciences-and we have to prick the
conscience of our fellow human beings to give them the strength
to lose their fear -and to get over their selfishness in putting more
value over their material goods than over the suffering of their fellow man.
I think our economic troubles may just help with people seeing things
in perspective -the universe moves in mysterious ways…

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

There have been a number of experiments to demonstrate that people can be easily persuaded to do bad things. I guess we could all be manipulated, especially if we are not forewarned.
Surely there must also be “manipulations” of behaviour to persuade people to do good things, to set them up to make good choices.
All this talk of economics bothers me. The truth is that if you study civilisations before the advent of cities, people had a much more comfortable life than you would imagine. Humans are very intelligent creatures, and throughout history have discovered many ways to avoid discomfort. Apart from a few specific problems - higher death rates during childbirth for one - which we can now reduce, a less economics driven lifestyle would not be much less comfortable for most humans, and could be a lot more healthy for many.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Excellent point Chaparral !!!
If we are manipulated into bad behavior -then the same can apply
to good behaviour.
We should work on a plan of good behaviour “manipulation techniques!!

I agree we are intelligent creatures- so maybe therein lies the key-
by pointing out just how brain-washed we have become -if we can
help people to understand that, perhpas it will unsult them so much
they will revert to their natural selves?

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

I am sorry for being somewhat contrary, but I am not one who believes we have been manipulated into bad behavior.  We are totally responsible for our own behaviors, and no one can manipulate us if we choose not to be manipulated.

I see it a little differently…

Every human being is by definition driven by two 'cravings'… earthly pleasures and spiritual transcendence.  

Spiritual transcendence requires that we develop the disciplines of living with less, and giving as much as we can.  We do not want or need to own property, fill our lives with physical comforts, or seek to do one better than our neighbors, or improve our standard of living.

Earthly pleasures is the life of aspiring to possess, to own, and to partake in the riches that society has to offer. It is the desire to grow beyond survival, and to become the masters of our world.   It is the default of every and all societies that have ever existed.  Since the caveman, the man has wanted the pretty woman, and the woman has wanted the stronger man to protect her.  

There is no one who has brain washed us from being spiritual beings into earthly pleasure seekers… we have done that for ourselves.  And only we have the ability to rise up beyond the realities of the physical world … and seek spiritual transcendence.

Every spiritual leader of the ages has called upon us to rise above the earthly world… to give up our riches and comforts… to become enlightened… and transcend…

We are all born into earthly life… and we are called to transcend… it is totally up to us to rise up…

We were not born as transcended souls… who became brainwashed by evil men… and were pulled down into the realities of human life.

That's what me thinks anyway.  :-)

D

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

No need to apologize, Dave -for your wise opinion!

“Every human being is by definition driven by two 'cravings'… earthly pleasures and spiritual transcendence. ” 

That is a true statement, but I do still feel pre-programming does
have a big affect on who and what we are.

Don't you think all the marketing has an influence on our brains?
Most especially the “sex sells” strategy?
With continues images of sex- and violence -being trust upon our brains -
and little “spiritual food” -it is easy for the easily influenced to
lose touch with their spiritual selves.
I am sure it does have an effect on clouding our judgement-
don't you think?

; )
Sandy

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

I think the universe is holding its breath, waiting for us to take responsibility for who and what we are.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

I completely agree Rudyan,  100%.

In fact, as I am a person who has an insane love for God… I believe that while God is our creator, God also needs us to pursue the path of love… for God is love, and everything we do to pursue anything but love… saddens God very deeply.  

God gave us a choice… calls us to love… and cries a tear when we do not listen to the call to be closer to the truth of the universe and the love of God.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Of course Sandy, I complete agree that marketing has an influence on our brains.  It is designed to entice us towards the pursuit of earthly pleasures, and away from selflessness.

That does not mean we are brain washed… it means we are constantly tempted, and the vast majority of people want to be part of a 'successful society' so we pursue the temptations.  I have been in marketing for most of my life, and I can honestly tell you marketers truly believe they are serving the will of the people, and that people wouldn't buy into this crap, if they didn't want to.

Marketing is not so much brainwashing, as it is serving the desires within us for earthly pleasure… it is the side of us that chases wealth and accumulation… it is the part of us that is the path of least resistance… 

I believe you will find that the vast majority of people today are losing their belief in something bigger than us… a universal truth, a creator, or even God.  Without believing and aspiring to become part of the bigger truth as a commitment in our lives… humans are destined to satisfy their earthly callings for ownership, fame, success… and yes… the depression that results from it.

In the end, the choice remains inside each and every one of us.

I have often discussed with Siona and some other friends about Gaia being a growing source of light… to help the world see a new way…. not just as a web community… but as a public force for love and alternatives… face to face with the public… So far… I have converted one person with this dream… me.  

I will continue to pursue it with all of my being.

:-)

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Sandy,

The reason I create the  distinction between choice and brainwashing is very important to me.

It is easier to believe that someone out there is controlling the world, mongering in power, and keeping us down from being a world of peace.

The very moment we look for who those people are… is a choice to play the blame game… and the blame game will always lose.  Blame is negative emotion, fear based, that is playing exactly the same game as the marketers and politicians… feeding negativity on the human condition.  

We cannot play that game.  We need to stand in the global community, and be love… be peace… and demonstrate an alternative way of living in truth.  Blame and anger, protest and extremism, are all part of the power game… and the truly powerful love to see the minions full of anger… for the rest of society sees us as radicals, and laugh at us for being angry and protesting.

The true radical, is the radical of love… Buddha, Jesus, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi… they showed us the way.  Organizations like Greenpeace, and others… they enjoy the press they get for being radicals… but they really don't change very much.

Love… it is the only way… and the world's problems are too great, too full of hatred, to believe that anger and protest will change anything.

Love

D

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Dave, beautiful posts. I'm reminded that of the millions of sensory stimuli 'bombarding' our senses, it is we who choose what to attend to, what to validate, what to

How we choose and why we choose what we do, is to be known by a deeper understanding of the self: through study, meditation, introspection, seeing how others respond to us  and any [or all] other means available to us.

That's why when two people look at the same program, for example, they see [attend to and perceive] different aspects of it.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Thanks for the kind words Meenakshi,

There is no doubt that there as many points of view, and therefore experience, as there are people in this world.  I certainly agree that when it comes to our choices, the breadth and depth of self awareness creates so many more facets through which to see.

Another place, where I find the greatest joy, is making a very conscious effort to see the world through the eyes of others, by listening, by serving, and most of all by loving and accepting what they see as no greater, nor lesser than my own eyes, mind, heart and soul.  

In many ways… as eastern and western religions and philosophies merge during this period of globalization… there has never been a greater opportunity for the gifts of self awareness, and service to others to help us all become more whole and compassionate.

A wonderful discussion.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

I finally read the beginning posts in this thread. Is it okay to respond to those where you were talking of small towns and villages, Dave and Sandy?
 I wonder if more people in the world live in cities or in villages and small towns? What I like about cities in the U.S., or at least what I see in Miami, is that they are very 'neighborhood' oriented. I know all my neighbors, [which includes some from a few streets down as well], and there's always someone to wave at as we drive by chauffeuring our kids or even grocery shopping! There are neighborhood newspapers..you get the drift.

Perhaps it's a typical suburban life, but it's something that I am really appreciating as wonderful places to raise children. Now where will the kids want to go when they grow?

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Hey Meenakshi,

Have you ever heard of Jane Jacobs?  She passed away a couple of years ago, and for most of her life was regarded as one of the great authorities on the nature of community and cities.

Here is a link to some of her great works:

Jane Jacob's Books

Her basic premise was that the greatest communities, whether they are small rural villages, towns or mega cities, are those that honor neighborhoods, create smaller intimate communities within the larger metro.  She also wrote extensively about the nature of economies, and the economy of nature… that the rhythms of nature, are also the natural rhythms of humanity, and there is an economic balance in nature and in our true human nature.

I really resonate with her deeply soulful perspectives on community, nature and economics.  

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

There are some wonderful points being made in this discussion
and I am so glad to see you all responding, as we search for new
ways to achieve peace.

Like you Dave, I do see Gaia as being part of that and of us being
more than an internet group.
Now we have the ability to share our posts -we are capable of
reaching a larger circle of people, who may be inspired to join us.
We certainly can share more of our words and thoughts and let other's
know of our like-minded existence in cyber-world.
It would be nice to one day jump out of cyberspace and reach
even more people, to offer something even more tangible.
So to that effect we are growing and who knows how far we can go?

Like you say Meenaskhi -those of us who already belong to fairly close
knit communities are lucky- be that of within cities or in smaller
town and communites.
Getting to know and care about each other is something we were
in danger of losing -but I think the tide has turned and we are
reaching out for human contact once more.

So -as long as we all continue in our homes, our hearts and our
streets, we can build a momentum that will continue to grow and
we can look forward to gathering.

One thought I had is -how can be start bringing people with a bit
of clout to their name into our fold?
That would help give us more credibility and more “voice”
in society-
thoughts ??

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Great question Sandy,

The world is so full of noise, it can be very difficult to rise above it and be a meaningful voice in society.

Personally, I avoid being a critic, and a complainer, and taking a self righteous attitude towards the evils of the world.  All that does is makes me frustrated and the same as pretty much everyone else.  

So.. I choose love… I am just as plugged into the problems of the world as anyone else… so through the eyes of love… I try to understand, with God's help, how to be happy that the universe is unfolding as it should.  I smile and encourage people to know that the world is in this shape for a purpose… to teach us, the human race… what power we have… and the consequences of the abuse of that power.  

No one is going to step up and get the world to see the evil's of its ways… because everyone is trapped in the currents of the rushing waters… refusing to rise above and notice that a waterfall is ahead of us.

So.. I got out of the river… I stand on the rocks watching the torrents of white water… and I smile… and hold out my hand to those who want to be pulled from the raging forces of destruction.

People need a safe and loving place right now… and I try very hard to stand there… to love as unconditionally as I can… and to be a lighthouse of hope that others can see, when they are ready to rise up from the waters, and choose love themselves.

I know Sandy that you are an incredibly loving activist… and you are so amazing at what you do… and you must keep doing it.  I guess my only question is…

Are you riding the waves in the river of destruction, trying to get others to understand the river… or are you standing above the river, with your incredibly activist heart and hands held out… for others to grab hold of?

There is no right or wrong answer… just that each of us knows our purpose… and we are happy exactly where we are.

Love you

Dave

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

I love the way you write of love, Dave -and I love the way you describe life.

In answer to your question -which gave me great visualisation -
YES -I am standing on the rocks, above the river -with outstreched and
welcoming arms!

I used to visualise the sky and using giant ' sky hooks” to pull those
in need of a hand, up there too -
but I love the river, and it is more of a place to be, initially.

Love too

Sandy

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Thanks Sandy… you are so kind.

After writing about the river, it made me think… about all the different roles that people play in the river of life…

Let's take global warming as a river with a huge waterfall looming in the distance.

There are those who are white water rafting, racing towards the waterfall, totally unaware of what is ahead.

There are those who are feeding the river, making it move faster, by consuming more fossil fuels, cutting down the forest by the river… not believing there is a waterfall downstream.

There are those who are telling the oil companies and consumers and loggers that there is a disaster coming, in angry hope that they will listen and change their ways.

There are those who are willing to risk everything, and grabbing the white water rafts and trying to pull them out of harms way, when in fact, the people want to go faster downstream.

There are those on rocks in the river, yelling at everyone about the doom ahead… hoping someone will wake up from their denial.

There are those on the side, hands and sky hooks outstretched to help those who have decided to get off the river..

There are environmentalists, engineers, nutritionists and spiritualists who are creating new ways of life that are more in tune with the natural land.  There are new cars being designed, new ways of harnessing energy… new biodegradable materials and waste systems… 

Everyone has a role to play… and those who are conscious just want the world to be a better place, while those who are in denial, or unaware, or do not care, are happy to believe that the world is perfect just the way it is… 

In the end, we are a resilient race… and so far, we haven't plunged over the waterfall into an eternal abyss… at least as a total human race we haven't… but there may be many individuals who have.

Interesting … 

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Meenakshi -good questions-
Some time in the last ten years the number of people living in “cities” passed 50% of world population. Sadly a lot of these live in slums or shanty towns. Ever ones to buck a trend We moved our family to the country. In todays world that means owning a car, not my idea of the New Way!
 My kids thought that the countryside was a dump, never went for walks and wondered why we had bothered, most young people here move to towns. However, I don't regret moving.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Thanks for the info, Chaparral. So I guess that the 50-odd% living in closeness in cities feel [and may well be] more influential for earth than the 50-odd % spread out in villages and small towns? I wonder….
I think one of the reasons people prefer large cities, is intellectual stimulation; and also the richness of meeting diverse people. Now that we have the internet/www to bring us closer, perhaps people will be able to tolerate and enjoy more spread out places? Let's see! It depends on infrastructure also.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Ah!  There is so much here, but I must attend to my job's paperwork.  I connected to Dave's small villages, since I am on the ground floor of starting an ecovillage in Maine.  A lot of stuff to talk about regarding this.  I feel that Peace is only going to come about when we challenge, peacefully and lovingly, our dualistic philosophy.  In gender relations, for example, when we bite off the fig leafs, we could begin to see ourselves as opposities as in a mirror image instead of being in opposition as in the absurd notion of the “Battle of the Sexes.”  Just so, in the shock and awe campaign of an American President we must see the eyes of Bin Laden's terrorist campaign to bring a people into submission via fear.  When do we see ourselves in each other's eyes?  Is this the road to Peace?

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

http://lavendergaia.gaia.com/blog/2009/5/transformative_learning_in_an_elegant_elusive_way?printable=1
I am going to cross post my studies here to hope it is okay…
Loving you all and echos of love to all…

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

this has been my dream , my hope , and my love for all for along time to build these world wide , let's work together in harmony to build our dreams , together as one.
Thanks all , and thanks Sandy Dave and all members for always being my friend .
with love,
L

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Eco , town , village , city, community , and globally…
For our children and their future, as one.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

So, thanks to Chaparral -we know that 50 per cent of our
population now live in the cities -no wonder they have grown
so large!!
But, Meenakshi -I think you have “hit it on the head” -when you say
that now we ARE connected by the internet -there may not be the need
to connect so much in the cities, and there may be a popupation shift?

I hope so, like Dave- I feel there you can't beat a small community!
Wonderful to hear you are starting an eco-village in Maine,bensoph-
you are more “hands on ” than any of us and I hope you will keep
us posted?

Godess/Lady Lavender -I am had trouble trying to access your link-
I am not sure what the problem is?

Is it possible for us to attain better values and peace, by
a mass exodus from the cities?
With the economy and work situation -what better time to make
the change?
In the “old' days -people used to move to wherever there was work
-yet being bogged down with big mortages has trapped us -
are these things happening to help us make the changes?
I believe so -the universe  is moving to help the people of the planet-

thoughts?

Peace and love to all -
Sandy

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Hi Sandy,

you ask goot qwestchuns.

I agree with Meenakshi that there are many points of view, and equally many people who want to live in big cities to experience diversity, community, intellectual pursuits, and lots of other things that stimulate the body, mind and soul.

The real question to me is what is causing the shift from the smaller towns to the bigger cities…

I think the reason … just my opinion… can be explained by the Walmart phenomenon… that bigger is supposed to mean bigger, cheaper, richer, better.

Walmart is the largest retailer in the world… and their model is quite simple.  Volume means buying power, employment power, cheapest prices etc… put everything in one place, and the world will come knocking on our doors.  Walmart needs other big corporations to supply them, ship their goods to the stores… finance their needs… and yes.. I will say it… close down main street America so that everyone can buy the same goods… lower quality, cheaper, and an impersonal experience… because they can save $2 on a giant can of corn.

When kids finish school… whether that means dropped out, graduated high school, or graduated university… they want a job, and they are drawn to the big cities because they believe there is more opportunity there.  Also.. kids of all ages are called to experience the world… and moving from a small town to the big city is a huge experience.

So.. what happens?  Big cities are where big companies hire lots of people.  Big cities need more hospitals, more fire stations, more police, and more government… there are big sports teams, big theater districts, and the suburbs grow like little villages to reside… but without the main street of old… the money of big cities comes from the economy built by big corporations… and more people come to the big cities… 

So… again in my opinion… the big cities have so much to offer, and continue to draw a developing world away from the agrarian societies of the small cities to the megacosms of big cities that fuel the industrial / information age.  Farmers cannot compete with the global food companies… and the small farms and corner markets die away to Monsanto and Walmart.  The money goes from the hands of the craftsman, to the pockets of shareholders.

If we want to understand the fundamentals that are driving the design of our world's habitats and the appeal of the big cities … follow the money.

I believe that cities and small towns will all have thier benefits.  

In an ideal world… the world will be much better off… when the community experience of “main street”, with artisans, bakers, fish mongers and the local pharmacist… can be experienced everywhere… in the smallest towns… and in the biggest cities… and that people are making a living doing what they love to do… and earning a decent wage for exactly that.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

There were many reasons why some men originally chose to live in cities, and there are reasons why families were forced to leave the land during industrialisation. That is the past, but this space is “the beginning of the new way”

There are many advantages to cities, for me much of it is cultural - I love music and art but am very fussy about which music and art. There is no artistic culture in the countryside where I live, little in local towns (none that I like), even when I lived in a small city (Oxford UK) I was so fussy that only six concerts a year were truly unmissable. I don't see this as just a money thing. A “local” population of a million people can support the activities I desire, but a spread out population of a few hundreds or thousands cannot. There will always be more work in densely populated areas, and economies of scale.

There is a growing movement to reduce food miles, and increase “remote” working - via internet etc so finally some lucky few may have a chance to return to the countryside or small towns.

Also there will always be fools like me attempting to scrape a creative life where none exists because “there are some things you can't put a price on”

If I were to uncharacteristically slip into optimism, I would say that If people are empowered to leave cities most would probably choose to stay. Cities have survived because they provide things that people want. However, with massive overpopulation of the planet, people will continue to be forced into slums (no slums in Oxford compare to those in poorer countries) and who wants to live in a slum?

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

Good points, Chaparral. There are always many sides to any issue, so cities are the same. On the one hand they have so much to offer - there are always many high quality concerts in Montreal, the only problem is which ones to attend :), live theatre, etc etc

But then there is the  intimacy and quality of relationships in small communities, the beauty of specialisation and depth in small shops as opposed to your Walmarts (shudder).

On the other hand, the thought of going to twenty-five different shops each week fills me with a kind of despair as for me, shopping is a necessary evil, to be done as quickly as possible.

Fascinating discussion, thanks,

Nicole   

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

I have to say though; that I would not feel peaceful in the confines of a small town or village ; I would have to be in the mountains [where I dwell in my heart!], far away from “civilization” or in my peaceful spot in a large city, where anonymity gives the greatest freedom; and the presence of friendly neighbors, the greatest support.
And that's the reason why living in another country is so liberating. You are allowed to be different - that's what is expected of you, and you can therefore just be - yourself. [Of course, they'll think you're “typically” of your country and your countrypeople will think you're …strange!]

I see large cities differently, perhaps! Now what about those little villages within the infrastructure that the city provides? With small shops and not large businesses that kill small ones? I'm also thinking that in India, where we don't [yet?] have Walmart, the reason that people come to large cities, is to find jobs. As Dave said, follow the money.

Re: In the Beginning of the New Way~

It appears, then, that money is the biggest factor -although
do we realise that it actually costs a lot more money to live in the cities?

Thankfully (by the sounds of it!) -we don't have Walmart in Australia-
Woolworths is about the biggest retail conglomerate and they are
causing great distress in the small towns, by moving in.
Although the communities lobby to keep them out, they are not successful
and the samll business's go “down the drain”.

It is the big companies, that send the small shops broke and we in
Australia do our best to support our local business's to keep them solvent.

Yes, I guess the city lights will always be attractive- offering culture
and entertainment as they do.
Taking that into account, the smaller towns would therefore only
be attractive for those yearning a simpler life.
Our youth especially leave the country towns, as there is not enough
for them to do, to live their lives to the fullest.

So, it is all understandable ,economically and life-style wise -I guess
it just depends what we want from life?

The greatest changes therefore, must come from our hearts.

What touches your heart the most ?
How to touch the heart of other's the most?
Have we wrapped and hardened our hearts and if so,
what would the universal key be to unlock them, I wonder?

As this thread is getting slow to load- I shall begin a new =Part Two
for change-

Peace and love
Sandy