Piles to Smiles... Earth Dancing Forward
It is quite humorous, the number of piles of stuff that we
put here and there, most of it things we intend to get around to doing.
Sometimes we find ourselves in places, looking for things, and find yet another
lost piece of information that suddenly takes on a new importance. I used to
complain to Robin about her piles... and then I started noticing my own. On such a
mission through the array of stacks of papers and books, I happened across the
files from our Earth Dances. It seems timely as we seem to be in search for
direction now. Our Mission: Earth Dance provided some feedback that sets the
tone for future endeavors. After all, like Lao Tse’s wise statement of
leadership: “To lead the people walk behind them.”
So, with that in mind here’s the result of the closing
focus group activities. This is purely just a list of what was presented. (my
obvious comments are in parentheses) We’ve been working on providing some
avenues to follow through with service. Quite frankly, swans’ journeys to
beauty seem pale in comparison. The nice thing for them is that natural order
DOES prevail, always, and the resulting beauty is unquestionable. So here’s
the feedback with some reflection inclusive of the world scene.
Extend dialogue ‘casually’. (we created discussion
groups in the fall, ‘casually’ produced uncomfortable silence?)
Bring a friend next time. (this didn’t quite happen,
seemed other paths were pertinent at that time)
Have a Community Service Day. (great idea, many
nonprofits already have them. What about every day?)
Learn your mind and how to apply it. (have workshops and practical things to share although not actively marketing)
Market the need of gatherings. (needs follow thru and
development as it is based on the desire of the people)
Validation of Self. (intrinsically we are, outwardly
it’s a good thing we don’t need it to keep centered)
Have teen meetings. (our house is a gathering place at times, usually spontaneously due to the nature of teendom)
Set goals. (a given in the development of anything…
they have to be implemented by someone, or ones)
Tell everyone you know about our gatherings. (must’ve been different meetings as evidence by attendance)
Create a Web Ring. (have joined the Cultural Creatives Web Ring and others)
Network, network, network. (continues, alone and sometimes with help)
Follow thru to connect. (still working on it, getting better every day)
Get Radio and TV exposure. (can get when we have the
‘plan in order’, based on past results)
Now, as you can see there are a variety of levels of
activity and needs presented here. Even though the enthusiasm and excitement of
the moment was obvious. As we proceeded over the next year and a half, some
pretty crazy things happened. Even with the excitement and expressed desire to
continue, the attendance of the following three events dwindled. We even got
some radio time, as Robin and I were interviewed on several stations. Still, it
seemed to be only a feigned interested. There was a lot of talk and very little
substance, at least at this level of grassroots activity. Saddening as that may
be here, a simultaneously held ‘Danza de la Tierra’ series in Chile
increased in attendance and brought many professionals together. My blessing was
to be there for the July 2001 event and to present on project management from a
Zen perspective.
What seems to hold the interest of most people is mostly
self-directed still. The events of September seem to have altered that course
greatly. A world came together for a short time, in support of the people
affected by the catastrophe. Yet, in comparison, far worse atrocities are a
daily occurrence in places of famine and poverty. Its really too bad that the
icons of the ‘free’ world came down as they did, opening the hearts of many.
The heart openings have taken place for a multitude of reasons from fear of
prophecy to the celebration of it. Still, we must face the music of our people
and planet. What do we need to do to bring balance to our world? We brought
together several well-respected authorities to discuss the what’s and how’s
of planning with purpose, while simultaneously educating others in the process.
Even void of common sense, it is obvious that something has to be done soon. So,
we began the preparations, or at least got some great advice on how to proceed.
Another dress rehearsal? It would seem otherwise. The energy expanded, even if
only in consciousness for a time and a season. Solutions are still needed as we
prepare for the next millennium. If something happens unexpectedly and beyond
our control, so be it. We have other goals and objectives that will facilitate
our eventual success. It will be the first time that our planet, that we know of
has united into a new living awareness, environmentally and socially responsible
at last.
Do we give up? Not hardly. We’ve been continuing to work
in the ‘background’ through cyberspace. There is a plethora of activity and
budding activism. We’ve built a website, focused on commerce, education and
community to demonstrate the three pillars of life. Currently, we’re getting
about 1,000 visits per week that stick around for a bit. According to Lao
Tse’s wise words, the people are not ready to move yet. We’ve found another
space to occupy for a time and a season. Lately, it appears to have escalated
with yet a new round of activism in world markets and electronic economic
activity. With our good sense and reasonability, it would appear that a sort of
architectured anarchy is evolving. The Self is naturally beginning to rule
through the many, making the adjustments necessary to bring about eventual
harmony of the specie.
Compiling difficulty in discernment of just how and what to
do, we had the unfortunate event in September. This put the world in a state of
surrealistic daily living that continues today. I’ve been able to witness a
trend, though. This trend began with an explosion (no pun intended) of interest
in metaphysics at the end of the 80s, especially in the US. People were
dissatisfied with not knowing, knowing that there was much more to life than
education, career and the jobspell was providing. Many new television shows were
focusing on introducing us to ‘alien intelligence’ in ever expanding ways.
Our minds have been expanded to contemplate multiverses, within and without.
I’d say we were making progress, even with the seeming catastrophe.
Today, the current focus on environmental and social responsibility is a direct result of these professionals applying what they learned from their hearts, which is where the study of metaphysics leads us all. Truth is bound to surface when the heart ‘vibe’ increases in humanity. Just look at the recent headliners: Enron, Worldcom, and dare I say our government. So, how do we continue now? Well, we’ve been contemplating many angles and angels. On the web, we’ve built a site that supports business, education, and community network development. Locally, we’ve begun to be involved with state politics, have become ministers of the Universal Life Church, and continue to have gatherings and provide spiritual counseling were ever necessary. We’ve even toyed with the idea of a gathering center name… Quest of the Cosmic Conundrum. Until more people become better networked and the word spreads, we each can do more in our communities in service and/or help support those who have lept off the ledge of the jobspell in order to do the trench work for you. Once we got the pipe laid, we’ll all be able to feel safe and secure with an overwhelming different perspective of life.