Archive for the Desires Category

A Current Conundrum

Posted in Big Questions, Desires, Dilemma's and Solutions, Feelings with tags , , , on November 26, 2011 by matthewstruth

 

Yesterday, I drove my Subaru 15 miles to listen to a wonderful talk by a climate researcher and author. Indeed a profound dissertation.

Early on in the presentation he inquired of the audience, “How many of you think that humans are responsible for climate change?” Startling to him, everyone in this group on the coast of Maine raised their hand for “Yes, we are”. Usually he said it’s 50/50.

The roadways leading to the library where the talk was to be held were completely filled with auto’s clothed in the greatest colorful array of progressive bumper stickers imaginable, mine too……….and not a parking space for blocks.

At the talks conclusion, he stated that from his perspective it will take a new discovery of an alternative energy source to stem the tide of runaway carbon dioxide increases.

I am beyond perplexed, saddened and disheartened.

Here we were in this room, all in agreement to our role in harming the current stability of Earth, and what behaviors are any of us actually changing? In the face of overwhelming research, I feel powerless. And yet as he stated, we are more powerful that can be understood, we’ve been putting these forces at work for a while now, us, probably you and me, and everyone that we know. And yet, we’re not going to change, but just wait for some new source of energy??

Why is it that our current way of life, with all of its entitled comforts is not negotiable? These alleged comforts have only been around for a relatively short while. Why does it seem that we aren’t willing to modify our behavior all that much? And what would this look like if indeed we did modify ourselves? Why are automobiles, which from the perspective of a pedestrian are violent contraptions for inducing a lazy apathetic consumer culture, deemed to be a prerequisite for life within this nation?

I am dumbfounded. We in this room all drove, something that we know is inherently wasteful, harmful, on so many distinct levels, dangerous. Are we not capable of imagining a society without these things, and the multitudes of other dastardly conveniences? Can we get beyond the “I want it now syndrome?”

If we know that we a part of the problem, what will have to evolve in us in order to change course? What will we be willing to let go of? Isn’t this the greatest conundrum?—What will have to evolve in “us“?

While I live here now in this society, I do envision a vastly different one, and that one does not have automobiles at the center of our neighborhoods. It has us, working together for the things that matter dearly to us. This “working together” seems like the crucial point and something that many have lost the ability to accomplish. Some of our individual actions will not change the big picture, but we can choose which influence we’ll exert.

May we answer these questions, and even more importantly, share with each other what we discover. I know deep within me, and you probably do too, that our lives can be so much richer than we’ve been currently accustomed too. Even though I have not yet physically experienced this new way, I do feel its presence getting closer. And for that I am extremely grateful.

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Recreating…….evolving to: Re-Create

Posted in Big Questions, Desires, Dilemma's and Solutions with tags , , , , on May 29, 2011 by matthewstruth

 

In these parts, the high mountains, one predominant form of recreating has given way to the next—the bikers. Whether it’s the mountain bikers, the road bikers, the dirt bikers or the motor type bikers, they have emerged in all of their funny colorful garb for one reason, to recreate. Pure and simple, athletic prowess and pleasure—many people’s lives revolve around this stuff.

Me too, I’ve done it, been a recreational rider. And the great feelings that recreation fosters are truly wonderful. But now the vehicles arrive covered in bikes. Imagine this, driving all over here and there to then get on the bicycle to “go for a ride“. How decadent and wasteful. All in the name of fun and fitness. Why not use our bicycles for actual transportation?

My psyche sure is funny though. While living in many different regions of the country, I’d usually be lamenting and wishing that I’d encounter a fellow walker or anyone gaining any small amount of exercise. Oh, and in many parts, walkers are few and far between, usually non-existent. And yet here, nearly everyone is pristinely fit, decked out in the garb of the season, and I feel supremely odd. This recreating just seems way over the top and so shallow. Meet Mr. Judgmental, will I ever be satisfied?

But other questions appear on the surface as well. Summer is coming. This weeks paper had a quotation, “I hope summer falls on a weekend this year”. Comically and tragically true, the mountains have mind and body boggling temperatures.

These other questions span the depths of: What is all of the incessant recreating really about? We’ve got “uber-” this and that. We’ve got relatively young folks having their hips and knees replaced. Really. All in the name of a hyper-masculinized version of power. Go big or go home as they say. Men used to work, I mean really work. These fields weren’t cleared by magic beings, these crops weren’t grown by machine. What are we doing and producing for our sustenance right now? What are we avoiding? What are we trying to conquer?

What would our society be like if instead of rv’ing, rafting, and riding nonstop we gathered with one another and inquired, “how do you feel?”, “what‘s important to you?”, “what ails you?”

How will we learn to work together to provide the things that really matter? How will we create community rituals and gatherings that honor our inner beings, and not just our external persona‘s? How will we bring more awareness to our relationships and loved ones? Who are we really?

What would our lives look like if we began to re-create everything?—Where our food comes from and how nutritious and healthy it is. How we organize as a species. How we provide, use and conserve energy. How we use very little to provide for our necessities. How we honor life’s passages and each other. How we raise our children. How we spend our time. How we cherish each and every breath. How we take care of and steward this amazing planet.

Can we as a culture begin to ask these types of questions—more so than, ya wanna go ride that trail?

We are the ones that have the power to re-create everything! Not only that, I humbly believe that we must. And it is imperative that we take care of our own bodies while doing so.

Re-Create Culture…..got a nice ring to it!

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One…..More…..Breath,……(part 2 follows)

Posted in Big Questions, Desires with tags , , , , on March 25, 2011 by matthewstruth

 

What an amazing thing. For almost fifty years now I’ve been getting one….more….breath. And you have too. And they just keep coming and coming.

Though for almost 100% of this time, I, like most of us have taken this miraculous gift completely for granted. Not even for a second realizing that without this next breath, this body ceases to exist. And without it all that I love about life will no longer be part of my physical experience. Except for one physical calamity a couple of years ago I have not paid a darn bit of attention to any of this.

But yesterday, while sitting in meditation with my small group early in the morning, something profound transpired. Was it a moment of grace? I was sitting as I usually am following my breath and at times using a short mantra to guide me, all the while a dog barked and barked somewhere off in the early morning tranquility.

It was at this moment that I heard something inside me saying, “Matthew, you could keel over in any given moment”.

Isn’t this the absolute truth? A Deeper Truth. We don’t know when our moment to take our last breath will be. People are keeling over all the time. We’ve all heard the query, “If you knew you only had so much time left, how would you live it?” I’ve heard this zillions of times and never taken it to heart.

Yesterday morning was different—I heard my inner voice—and, immediately shifted. My posture in meditation became even sweeter, a smile came to my face that if I could’ve seen it, I imagine it would’ve been angelic. My entire being became even more vibrant, while also becoming even more still. The energy pulsing through me became more enlivening, while also becoming more contented. Essentially I experienced how much more life-force is available to me, and how much more peace. And how my “normal” way of being is but a pale shadow of what is truly possible in this body.

And the dogs barking ceased.

I took this awareness with me on the walk home, gazing with wonder at trees full of birds, who were deafeningly boisterous in their delight. And all throughout the day.

Oh to become more fully alive— from the simple recognition of the next breath’s gift— mmmm, sweetness.

(Part 2 added 31 March 11)

It’s been a week since my inner voice beckoned to me— “Matthew, you could keel over any moment.” That was it, nothing else was necessary. And the unheard of thing? I’ve actually remembered this calling and have continued to act with the utmost intention.

Wow, change does happen. So often before, if I’d heard these calls, I’d promptly forget. Moments of vast illumination that were relegated back to the unconscious. Well—not this time. Maybe this opening the heart business is actually happening.

I find myself during the day remembering this voice, and rehearing this call, this beckoning…..and lifting up out of my habitual ways of being, my complacency. Opening my mouth with those in my sphere, sharing deeper feelings, ideas, desires, visions. If I don’t know when the last breath will be exhaled, I’d better use ‘em for bringing more beauty, truth, love, and sweetness into my world.

This simple little sentence is transforming my life. Can it do the same for you? What would our world be like if more people felt the urgency in their lives—the gift, the blessing and the miracle of being alive, in this very moment? ………Now this is a question that I’d like to answer!

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What Great Words

Posted in Big Questions, Desires with tags , on February 19, 2011 by matthewstruth

The first in a series of posts to come regarding these particular words, no doubt……

 

Our Deeper Truths—Cultivating the Inner Landscapes of Expanding Consciousness. Oh my—what a collection of words and concepts! Singly, I love and resonate with each of these words. Taken collectively, what gumption to put them together as a family in my blog’s header. What do I mean by these? Entire books could be authored attempting to speak to this—here, I will barely scratch the surface, but why not give it a go?!

For this taurian sun, cultivating is incredibly delectable and near to my heart. It brings to mind feelings of nurturing, gentility, awe, and wonder—all attributes that have been much easier for me to experience within the realm of plants and gardens than in relationship with our human brethren, but, change and maturity are continuing, thankfully. The same is true for me regarding landscapes—whether witnessing and experiencing the splendor and subtleties within prairie grasses or upon majestic peaks and toward vista’s, everywhere, the natural world is filled with magnificence. And then—to work within a landscape, co-creating sacred spaces, well, what could be better?

Now “inner landscapes“—there’s a whole new world, ripe for inquiry. What resides within? What is true in there and what is blatantly and unquestioningly fabricated? So much food for thought or no-thought that quite frankly a lifetime could be spent looking into the mysteries of our interior selves. And what better moment to continue that journey than right now in this one.

And isn’t it astounding the degree to which our very own consciousness is capable of expanding? If I think back to various points in my life and the kinds of things that were in the forefront of my awareness, it really has been quite a ride. I am not the person that I was. I’m sure that so many of us could say the same thing—we are changing, we are becoming more aware, we are opening, we are letting go of fear. And as we do so, we create space and energy for others to do the same. On and on so many notions are transforming, and there is so much room for more. Where will we wind up?

What will it take for more and more of us to open to the sparks of insight, creativity and connection that just might propel us into a more harmonious and responsible way of being?

Here on this blog I gleefully look forward to what we can create together! What does cultivating the inner landscape of your expanding consciousness look like? What are your deeper truths?

　

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Letter to the President

Posted in Desires, Not your normal letter to the editor with tags , , , , on January 30, 2011 by matthewstruth

 

Mr. President,

In balancing and recognizing the complexities of what you inherited as you came into office, with my feelings of gratitude for you, and probably more succinctly, the symbol of what you represent, I have given you the benefit of the doubt often.

But sir, I am less certain that your visions as stated in “Winning the Future” from 22 January 2011 are the right ones for these times. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t see anyone else’s political visions as being up to the task at hand either, at least in this country.

To speak of “winning”, or “out-building, out-innovating, out-educating”, these terms are from an era, or a paradigm that no longer exists. These terms might appeal to segments of our populace that still think the American Dream and American dominance are valid and ethical points of view. But they are merely entitlements of an ideology that has been putting the whole world at great risk. And they are by no means ethical or fair. I find these terms and the energy behind them when uttered by those in power to be exactly what is wrong with so-called leadership today.

Leadership entails and implies, a vocalization of a new way, a new path, a sane, moral, balanced and visionary idea for the future, and showing citizens what people really are for. We are not here to gobble up the worlds resources. Our interests can no longer be attained at the expense of the worlds people who are not from this nation.

Mr. President I am deeply saddened to hear you advocating essentially for the status quo. I am certain that you must be aware of the breakdown of all old structures. With this we have such an opportunity as humans to create a whole new way of living, gathering, sharing and communing. Please sir, why aren’t you taking us further? You are so much more than the president of the United States. You are a leader amongst world leaders. Please lead. Do not keep recreating the same old story.

Yes, we must all work together. But we must do so very much more. We must see ourselves as part of the whole human family, regardless of religion, nation, gender, profession, or whatever label divides us. You sir are the embodiment of this melding of culture. You must see the great power that this allows you to help heal all of the atrocities made manifest in continuing to pursue an American Dream. It certainly is a dream all right, in fact it is a nightmare for the majority of the worlds people. We can not continue to, in a best case scenario buy, at worst, steal or go to war for, another nations resources.

Sir, real leadership is so very much needed during these critical junctures. Please go further within to give voice and power to a thoroughly new way of being. Our planet is filled with such visionaries that can be of assistance-they are teaching, and educating and sharing literally everywhere. We are writing and communicating with people from nations all over the world. These voices are needed in government, not more bankers. And the new story of what is emerging in science and spirituality needs to be heard, needs to be shared with the citizenry. Not more “we can out-compete” rhetoric. And we the people are out-growing government. Please get on board with us. The platform of POTUS is potentially so potent. We would like so very much more from you. And we are ready.

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