Dec 19 2008
Master-Minding For Change
Last night I went to an inspiring meeting at Manna Cafe. It was the first of many master-minding meetings all about joining with like-minded people to create ripples of change, rather than remaining in an apathy bred by television news and consumerism.
It’s always a bit nerve-wracking getting together with a new group for the first time, and having no idea where things will go. But the evening unfolded with some wonderful insights, as well as lively debate. We talked about projects we are involved in or envision doing, and the seeds were sown for future collaborations.
Most of all, I went away with a feeling of empowerment. Listening to the news and walking through the streets seeing people’s credit-crunch depressed faces can have a hugely sagging effect on one’s positive visions. It can start to seem like nothing you do will make a difference.
In fact, there was a recent discussion on Radio 4 about the idea that growing one’s own vegetables at home is, in fact, a futile endeavour often destined for failure, and certainly doesn’t save you any money. I could feel my as-yet-ungrown lettuces wilting alread - this was one of the main reasons we held out for a place with a garden: to grow our own veg.
This is typical of the media’s tendency to burst the bubble of any conscious efforts to empower ourselves, and break out of ‘the grid’. Today, enlivened by last night’s meeting, while walking through the Christmas shoppers to do some non-Christmas-related shopping, I was able to keep my internal smile and avoid getting stressed by the rush of it all. I felt strengthened by joining with others who are on a spiritual path of awareness and who do not buy into the hype we are sold about what we need to be happy. The idea is that we can have paradise right here, right now - this is it. There is nothing to wait for - and as Yogi Bhajan said, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
On a more prosaic note, but just as exciting, the Pibler’s walking explorations went further than ever before today when he walked all the way from the Pavilion Park almost to the road on North Street! Obviously I was right behind and beside him, but it got quite worrying! I couldn’t convince him to turn around and head back, he was determined to carry right on, so I had to pick him up and carry him back to the park a couple of times - much screaming! Not very consensual, but in my mind safety issues override. Prior to that he had a huge grin on his face, at the joy of walking through so much open space - it was hard to have to stop his fun.
