As we move through these times of change and challenge, there has been much discussion about how to best respond to these changes and how to most gracefully create more harmonious local and world societies.  In what way is it most spiritually profitable to direct our energies if we intend to reach higher levels of spiritual empowerment?

While much of the world seems to be reacting to the civil, geophysical, governmental and financial system problems with fear, doubt and anxiety, others of us have generally taken one of three roads. Let's look at them one at a time:

1. Resignation

Those taking this approach figure  that an apocalypse is coming fast and that there is nothing we can do about it. They are convinced, generally through truly silly religious indoctrination, that the world is going to hell in a hand basket and that they are powerless to do anything about it. For them, it's just a matter of waiting until we either all fry or when "non-believers" (choose your deity) will fry while the deity lifts all the good folks into heaven or another, kinder-gentler planet.   This is no more sane than figuring that killing innocents will be rewarded with the eternal favors of 72 virgins in the afterlife.

This is the approach of the truly deluded who feel powerless.  Over the centuries, this kind of thinking has been perpetuated by those who would strongly prefer that the masses stay weak and afraid.

2.  Denial

Many people, particularly in the so-called metaphysical community, would rather not hear about the challenging realities of what is going on in the world. Their excuse is that by recognizing what is going on in our governments,in our monetary systems and in geophysical disturbances just gives energy to the negative, expanding it. They do not want to hear about government corruption or the anticipated monetary collapses, claiming that we can change the apparent course of these by ignoring impending disasters and focusing on what we want instead.

While this approach is certainly more productive than resignation to coming apocalypse, the other side of the coin is that from both an individual  and collective standpoint, it is impossible to escape from a prison until such time as you recognize that you are in one.  Acceptance of what is is much different than surrender to extended anguish.   This is the difference between the power of now and the futility of delusion.

Those who are in denial mode often go to great lengths to distract themselves from the truth.  Feeling depressed about relationships, money, war or the quality of our country’s leadership?  If so, it’s likely that you are addicted to something that helps you avoid looking at it: drugs, alcohol, television, romance novels, or yelling at your spouse or kids.  Where does that get you?  If you are on that kind of sinking cesspool, now is the time to hop out.

If you are in denial and want to bust out of it, watch this movie online for free.  If you are sorely pressed for time, start with the last segment and then decide whether you have the courage to watch the rest.  The movie is called Zeitgeist Addendum. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7065205277695921912#

3. Focusing on Group Consciousness:  Joining and Participating in Communal Meditations and Such

We have learned that there is some power in collecting our intents and focus on a peaceful goal.  The downside of this phenomenon is that so many of us have  conflicting visions of what true peace and satisfaction are.  For some, the "New Age of Love" or post 2012 world is one in which life will be free and easy, a hedonistic nirvana.  Others see it as one that will be much simpler, with less in the way of conveniences, more in the way of "chop wood/carry water".

Note: Because he says it so well, much of the rest of this article will consist of the words of author Keith David Henry as included in an email response to an article I shared with a mutual associate. For simplicity's sake, all the words below showing in bold italics are his.

Henry says, “The idea that there needs to be some conscious campaign toward the unity of us all, while conceptually sound, may tempt us to rely upon the group consciousness paradigm which is now passing away as a primary means of achieving this unity. This approach is misguided.

Attempting to recognize and embrace everyone and everything into our thinking as valid in a move to "create unity" will create chaos instead. The dark oligarchy is counting on this. The dark oligarchy, their plans and their aspirations will crumble along with the current world systems upon which they have relied for millennia. There is no need to defeat them, nor is there the need to attempt such a counterproductive initiative. Leave them alone. Their fate is sealed. Let us not become a part of their fate by giving them so much of our mental energy via fear, anger, worry, or anxiety.”

If either as individuals or collectively, we focus on the need to “defeat” someone or some entity, or if we focus on what we do not want we drain our energies and sustain that which is not wanted.  It’s like saying you do not want that pesky cat that has been hanging around your back door, but then choosing to put out a bowl of milk for it every morning.

4.  Recognition and Practice of Our Individual Power, Sovereignty  and Divinity

I see this as the true root of unfolding the depth of our collective power.

Again, from Keith David Henry:  “By reaching into our own individual internal connectedness with source - each of us on an individual and unique basis (following our own hearts in true acceptance of ourselves, our own individual sovereignty as agents of source, and similarly embracing that the same dynamic exists within each of us, i.e. embracing each person's path as valid and sovereign) - we automatically harness the unity that already exists.”

”Yes, this sounds counter-intuitive. Yes, this is a different message than the new world order, many religions, and even many new age disciplines have taught us.  But it is the only way.  Each of us is our own authority. Each of us is our own window of source. This is not a paradigm of separateness, but rather the quintessential expression of the infinite diversity of source.  It is by fully embracing this diversity that we connectwith the already existent unity of all things and all people.”

As a world culture, we have spent centuries looking outside of ourselves for happiness, calm, wisdom and power. And we are in the process of communally realizing the futility of making things outside of us the primary sources of what we think we need to be OK.

We are in the process of fully unlearning the notion that that which is external gives us validity, worthiness and strength. It is the growing embracing of the knowing that our nature is powerful, calm, happy and, yes, divine that will smooth our path into the coming era of harmony.

I am not suggesting that we abandon practices of community togetherness or group meditation/focus of intent.  What I am suggesting is that each of us contributes most effectively to the graceful, powerful unfolding of the collective when we recognize the vast and complete nature of the love that is within us.  From that recognition, and then from living it in powerful faith and humility, we literally change our world.

It is simpler than most people perceive it to be. Modern day shaman Carlos Barrios expresses it so well: "The greatest wisdom is in simplicity. Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness.  It's not complex or elaborate. The real knowledge is free.  It's encoded in your DNA.  All you need is within you. Great teachers have said that from the beginning. Find your heart, and you will find your way."

The well-spring feeding your spiritual empowerment comes from a place where so many do not look: Within.