NGWS In Action January 2004

...Many folks in the esoteric community, and many of the world’s more mainstream thinkers and intellectuals, have been saying for sometime now that Humanity is on the brink of great change. Personally, I think we passed the brink some time ago and that we are well into the Great Change, or the transformation of the world. That dye was cast longer ago than most of us can imagine...

From most observers, we get one or another of two views of this presently grave, extremely fluid and totally confusing world situation. On the one hand we get a vision of gloom on the brink of doom, on the other, we are presented with the jumping off place into all sorts of salvation scenarios. It is very hard for us to see the changes that are actually happening because they are so in our face. Clear vision requires that we withdraw from the physical morass, the maya of the thing, and try to see the picture whole.

From an elevated position on the mountain, the valley becomes understandable, and the truth is that both of these options are going on simultaneously. We have, on the one hand, strident and unending messages, to say nothing of daily, graphic and horrendous examples of gloom and doom or, to give these two frequencies their ancient Kali Yugic names, fear and death. And on the other we have, here and there, examples of joy and birth, new light and new life, new order and new living going on right now in the very center of the gloom and doom. You understand, of course, how all nebulas have these incredibly bright centers of impelling power.

As Life moves into manifestation, something has to make room for it. Something has to go. Those of us who endeavor to work on the subjective side of this equation understand this Cosmic fact as yin/yang, the ceaseless motion of creation, that two phase process of birth and death wherein death is simply the shattering of the old forms that have embodied or imprisoned the Life, and birth is the movement of the Life into new more appropriate forms or “stately mansions” as the poet said. Creation is the passage of truth and beauty—which two always and only co-exist—in and out of time and space.

This is all very well, lovely even. The knowing of it—and many of us really do know it— makes a comforting glow on the horizon of our daily lives, gives us hope and reassurance, fortifies our courage and strength in the darkness. We need these gifts of spirit, the strength and hope, and we are grateful for them, for the fact is that we do not dwell constantly, or even very much on the mountain top. We live and move and have our being right down here, right in the middle of the vortex of change the Great Wheel is generating. The Master Morya put it very clear, “Man has fallen into a dark pit and closed the outlet with a black cover.” Hierarchy, #118 Thus, we have Kali Yuga, the Dark Age.

This is where we are. And friends, it can be terminal for humanity if we forget or ignore that fact. We are in the trenches, where the action is. We are precisely where we need to be if we are to be useful to the Custodians of the Plan and the “dispensers of assignments.” Another of Master Morya’s injunctions comes to mind. “…the complete task ...must be expressed now, amidst today’s animosity and destruction.
Agni Yoga #511

So, that being the case, what I want to talk about this evening is what we need to do down here in this black pit. Let me assure you that there is much that we can do. Indeed, friends, there is much that we absolutely must do.

NEXT>>>

"Hope is the thing with feathers--
That perches in the soul--
And sings the tune without the words--
And never stops--at all--"
Emily Dickinson

The Spirit of Goodwill is a great unifying Principle. The individual will is subordinated or even sacrificed for the greater good of all, "Thy will, not my will be done."

The Spirit of Goodwill can produce an atmosphere in which true cooperation can take place, problems can be solved, and obstacles overcome. Goodwill represents the firm belief in the divine possibilities—the Essential Divinity—of all beings. Goodwill is often present in difficult situations just awaiting release. It needs only to be cultivated and used.

...As Goodwill becomes a dynamic, positive factor in all human affairs it lays the foundation for a new understanding.

There is a natural relationship (Unanimity) between all of Humanity that dissolves all barriers and ends the spirit of separateness and hate. Building upon this foundation of Goodwill, we will bring about an unprecedented era of Right Human Relations. With the alignment of heart, mind and will, Humanity will take the next step in our Divine evolution.

The positive shift in difficult situations when employing goodwill can be immediate. Goodwill promotes harmony and unity, breaks down barriers and builds bridges, for it stimulates right action between individuals, groups, and peoples. Practicing goodwill creates open lines of communication, fosters understanding, dispels fear and evokes trust—demonstrating goodwill naturally evokes cooperation with others.

Self-centeredness, resentment, hostility, prejudice, criticism, and intolerance prevent goodwill in our lives. The elimination of these requires an attitude of self-observation, of sincere self-analysis, and of detached assessment. Paradoxically, an initial amount of goodwill is essential to overcome these self-defeating states and to enable goodwill to become a force in our lives.

Evoking in ourselves the opposite qualities of the above—compassion, patience, generosity, humility, a sense of brotherhood, a spirit of service, and gratitude—will naturally create much goodwill for ourselves and others. Goodwill is contagious and spreads like wildfire throughout the human heart.

How to incorporate goodwill when dealing with a problem? Find common ground to build from. Examine a problem from every point of view. Determine what is the greatest good that will come with suggested outcomes. Try to keep the solution geared to what benefits everyone the most and include it in a larger frame of reference, a greater "whole." Consider it from "above," from a higher level of personality detachment, if possible. Lastly, a willingness to compromise is essential.

Be willing to put aside some immediate benefits in favor of future greater returns produced by agreement and cooperation. Decide what needs to be done and take action, together. Remember that good attracts good, generosity evokes generosity.

Where is goodwill needed? Everywhere, from our closest associates and family members to the broader community we live in, and broader still, if possible, to foreign lands. In all these relationships let us endeavor to understand those with whom we come into contact that the needed goodwill in interaction with them is built and maintained.

Remember transformation works from within outward. It is the cultivation of the will-to-good within us that gives us the power and arouses the energy necessary for active demonstration of goodwill in our outer lives.

One of our major dialogue topics was about what we, as Americans, could do to help the Tibetan people. Many suggestions were given, but his (the Dalai Lama's) response to these was remarkable. First he said, “We cannot do anything that would cause harm to the Chinese people! We must find a course of action that will not only benefit the Tibetans, but will also benefit the Chinese.” This was a stunning comment from the temporal and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people who was driven from his homeland by the Chinese, who knows 1.2 million of his people (primarily lamas and other leaders) have been killed, and the rest of the population is still being cruelly and relentlessly oppressed. Yet we could all see that he holds no anger towards the Chinese.

His Holiness also said that we must always be thinking for the long term and looking for root cause solutions, rather than short term answers. In his long term view of the issue, he sees that the causes for the current suffering of Tibet “were set in motion a thousand years ago.” In fact, we later discovered that in 821 China was invaded by Tibet. “It’s all cause and effect, cause and effect,” he noted.

He also said that we must first be clear about our motive and intention for taking any action towards the Chinese or anyone, and be reasonably sure about the intended outcome. “Our motive must be harmless,” he said, smiling. What a contrast to the modern western approach to action! To consider motive and intention and the effects on others first, rather than they being last on a list, was such a refreshing relief from “will it make a profit” or “how will I benefit?”

But his concern for the Chinese has much deeper roots in Buddhist philosophy. A key member of the Tibetan government-in-exile shared how the Dalai Lama has instructed them to arrange their political priorities: “First you should identify yourself as a sentient being; second as a human being; third as a Buddhist; fourth as the Tibetan people; and fifth as the Tibetan political entity.” All actions must first be considered as to how they will affect all sentient beings, then all human beings, then all Buddhists, then all the Tibetan people, and lastly, how it will affect politics. What a wonderful world we would have if these priorities were even partially adopted by all nations!

Yet the most astonishing statement that we heard in our entire time with the Tibetans was from this same lama. He said the Dalai Lama had told them that if some action would clearly benefit the billions of Chinese, then the Tibetans would be prepared to make a sacrifice, because their primary identification is with all beings. Perhaps by the assimilation of the Tibetans into China, the seeds of Buddhist compassion will eventually take root within the Chinese people, and temper and balance their current ruthless materialism.

His Holiness suggested that we do a simple practice when we return home, and share it with as many people as possible: Spend five minutes at the beginning of each day remembering that all people want the same thing—to be happy and to be loved, and that we are all connected to each other. Then take five minutes to breath in, cherishing yourself, and breath out, cherishing others. Then extend this attitude to everyone we meet during the day—the important people in our lives, as well as casual people we meet, but especially to people we don’t like.

Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson are co-authors of Spiritual Politics (Foreword by the Dalai Lama), and Builders of the Dawn, and co-founders of The Center for Visionary Leadership.

“When [people] of goodwill meet, no matter what their political party, nation or religion, there is no problem which they cannot eventually solve and solve to the satisfaction of the various parties involved.”
Problems of Humanity P. 119 A. A. Bailey

(CNN) -- Just back from a trip to South Africa to visit needy children, television talk show queen Oprah Winfrey said she's changed her mind about adopting and, instead, plans to spread the word about the AIDS crisis threatening Africa's future.

"I think most of the people watching us around the world really don't understand the level of devastation that's going on," Winfrey told CNN's Larry King in a rare television interview Tuesday. "You have 11 million children in sub-Saharan Africa now suffering as orphans. ... They're AIDS orphans. What I realized is they're children left to take care of themselves."

"If we, as a nation, do not do whatever we can to support these children, you're going to have social chaos in 10 years," she added.

The United Nations reports that up to 28.2 million of an estimated 40 million people worldwide infected with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa.

During her most recent trip to Africa, Winfrey visited clinics, schools and attended a star-studded AIDS benefit hosted by former South African President Nelson Mandela. In the past, she's visited South Africa to deliver gifts to needy children. She also taped a special about AIDS in Africa that is expected to air on ABC December 17 -- and her own show will feature the trip on December 22.

"There's so much sadness in the world and I wanted to be able to do something," she said about the 50,000 gifts she delivered to the African kids. "I wanted to be able to bring a joy to children who would not have had a day of joy. Because I remembered in my life there were times when people did that for me, so I wanted to be able to extend myself and kindness."

"I don't think that that's for me," she said. "I feel that I have a calling. I feel that part of that calling certainly has been to be on television, and to use television in a way that can make a difference. I want to be a voice for those children who don't have a voice."

While not revealing much her hard-core fans don't already know, Winfrey dismissed a caller's question asking if she would consider running for public office.

"No, ma'am, I would not," Winfrey said. Television "is the best forum in the world. I think all the senators wish they had that for themselves."

She said she marvels at her life, rising from poverty in segregated Mississippi to her current status as one of the richest and most powerful women in the world.

"I'm always looking for ways that I can use myself and use my life, use my money, use my time, use my energy," she said. "What I'm interested in doing now is creating a lasting impact. ... My efforts [are] going into schools because education is freedom."

Having been hospitalized and disabled from catastrophic illness, Mischa knows first-hand how lonely and isolating it is to become a sick person. Mischa co-founded an organization to harness the power of kids to help other kids who are chronically or terminally ill. This program raises funds to benefit medically compromised kids who need physical and emotional support. The organization tries to help them cope and improve their lives by funding mobility devices such as electric wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, hospital exercise bikes--anything to help ease the transition back to the "normal" world. In addition, teens organize annual toy drives that support ten area hospitals.

The most extraordinary feature of Kids Helping Kids is that it is run by teens. They determine the fund raising events, work at them tirelessly and develop the plans for whom and what to fund. Fundraising includes sports events, art shows, musical concerts and this year's kid-created "Heart Bracelet" initiative. The teens spend countless hours in hospitals, participating in recreation programs and helping to relieve the isolation that sick kids feel. As a result, the program not only benefits sick kids, but also teaches well teens to care about others and be productive and efficient in running a volunteer organization.

Mischa co-founded Kids Helping Kids when he was 14, one year after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Since then, he has endured many rounds of chemotherapy and surgery. He uses a motorized wheelchair, has double vision, extensive nerve damage in his face and a distorted voice. In spite of his illness, Mischa today attends New York University.

Our Indian reservations contain some of the deepest pockets of poverty in the United States. Over three hundred thousand Native Americans are homeless. Countless homeless families and others live in shacks and up to 20 people can live in a single uninsulated mobile home. It is heartbreaking!

In the face of this enormous problem, Robert and his volunteers are going into reservations and teaching communities to build their own homes out of straw bales. He has been able to form a partnership with the University of Washington and Penn State University, and together they have designed a community-friendly model that is three times more energy efficient than a typical home. Families are saving enough in heating costs alone per month to pay the majority of the mortgage on a new home.

For seven years, Robert Young has kept Red Feather afloat with his life savings and donations from caring individuals. But the ignorance in our country of the plight of native families is deep. Most funding organizations do not want to look at the problem. The result is that Red Feather turns down hundreds of volunteers a year simply because they do not have funding to conduct additional building projects.

Several years ago Robert was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Despite this tragic disease and its complications, Robert continues his effort...

For more information about Robert's work with the Red Feather Development Group please visit www.readfeather.org.