After experiencing tens of thousands of years of geographic separation, the human species is developing the capacity for virtually instantaneous global communication and connection. The impact of this revolution on our future will be unprecedented. The spectacular growth in global communications will offer humanity the possibility of communicating our way through this time of supreme planetary challenge.
We now have at our disposal immensely powerful electronic tools that are supporting a quantum increase in our collective communication and our collective consciousness as a species. There is likely to be a collective witnessing of stories of genocide, climate disruption, intense poverty, species extinction and more. Meanwhile, we will also realize that, despite a growing recognition of a whole-systems breakdown, many individuals and institutions resist making essential changes.
What we will see and hear will challenge our emotional intelligence and maturity. As our social consciousness awakens, deep psychic wounds will emerge that have festered throughout history. We will become aware of the dark shadows of human history in the form of racism, ethnic conflict, and religion; we will begin to hear the voices that we have ignored and the pain that we have not acknowledged.
Yet, as distressing as this process may be, it will be a vital part of the process of reconciliation and healing. The question is whether we will have the collective maturity to seize this precious opportunity for our collective evolution to move forward to more inclusive levels of perception, action and species solidarity.
One image that may help us is that of planetary birth. As almost all parents will attest, the pain of the birthing process is worth it.
Conclusion
Given the realities noted in the introduction, it appears that, in the years ahead, life will become increasingly distressing, even heart-rending, as we witness death, destruction and massive unravelling. The more time it takes for us to acknowledge the world crisis in which we find ourselves, the more losses and heartbreak we will have to endure.
The crises we face are the result of our immaturity and unconsciousness. Those of us who remain distracted, and/or are busy nurturing our own denial, procrastination, or militant ignorance, will certainly contribute to permitting the Earth to become a wasteland.
It is highly probable that at minimum, over the next thirty years, we as a species will be facing enormous loss; still, Jung has said, "Embrace your grief, for there your soul will grow."
Francis Weller's words reflect an identical view:
"In truth, without some familiarity with sorrow, we do not mature as men and women. It is the broken heart, the heart that knows sorrow that is also capable of genuine love... Without this awareness... we remain caught in the adolescent strategies of avoidance and heroic striving."
In terms of the world situation, radical acceptance, combined with insight and deep compassion, is the best precursor to skillful action. We need to begin now. Now is the time for us to be pioneers, allowing our every thought, word and deed to carve an impactful corridor to a positive, life-affirming future.
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