The Loss Of Innocence


The vast majority of human beings cling to a belief in some "Other." Many believe in "God," or in "the Universe", or a "Divine Power" that supposedly is in charge of what happens. Many also believe in some other "Absolute" realm that renders this earthly existence a mere dream or illusion. These beliefs have fostered a terrible complacency in human beings. If "God" or "the Universe" is in charge, then ultimately humans need not be concerned with what is happening, because everything is in "God's hands" or "the Universe's control." Similarly, if this existence is just an illusion, then it matters little whether the planet is destroyed.

The belief in the "Other" is a myth, a story created by the brain to provide assurance that human beings would survive. The myth may have served a purpose in an earlier time, when humanity needed a sense of security on a planet that seemed indifferent or hostile to its existence. Now, however, the myth has become perhaps the greatest threat to humanity's survival. The belief in the "Other" is one of the most divisive forces on the planet today, as demonstrated by the religion-inspired division, violence and war that are perennial problems for the world. More fundamentally, however, the belief is an escape, an act of withdrawal, an ultimate excuse for not being responsible for what is happening.

Perhaps more than ever before, we humans today face the challenge of waking up to our responsibility. It is a responsibility that arises from the direct realization that there is no separation, there is no "Other," there is only Life of which each of us is a unique expression. Once we have had this realization, how can we remain complacent or withdrawn from Life? How can we sit idly by, while the course of world events is dictated by leaders who are motivated by fear, greed, and bald self interest?

When we truly see that there is no "Other," we realize that we cannot depend on belief, or government, or authority, or religion, or teachings to keep us safe. Instead, we have only the evolving, limitless possibilities of Life. Increasingly, these possibilities can only be realized with our complete presence and participation. Ishvara speaks of this in a message I have transcribed and edited from a talk he gave on September 4, 2005. - TG.

Ishvara:

What's it going to take to wake you up? Yes, you! There are many who imagine they are awake. They believe they are awake, but they adhere to myth and superstition. I recently heard a religious individual say that the hurricane in the Gulf was caused by gay people; it was "God's punishment" for a wicked city. Well, what is the excuse for the loss of innocent lives in Iraq? Is "God" punishing them too?

It seems that there remains no rationality or reality in this human existence. It is caught up in myth, and superstitious beliefs and concepts. There is no one who is innocent. Everyone is guilty, guilty of crimes against humanity: the crime of complacency, the crime of ignorance.

It is so easy to blame someone else. It is so easy to follow a leader who claims to be ordained by "God." A shallow claim indeed, in light of the fact that "God" is a myth, a superstitious creation of a child-like mind that could not see how Life worked, and had no understanding of the energy of Life.

There are those who want to replace the theory of evolution with the idea of "intelligent design." I challenge you: where is the intelligence in creating a species that murders its own, a species that has not learned to live in balance and harmony with its neighbors or with the planet itself?

This is a corrupt world, a corrupt people, not by choice, but by ignorance. I know you do not want to hear what I have to say, but you will hear. It is time for you to listen. The hurricane of last week is just the beginning of problems coming your way. It is up to you to realize that the earth, the Life energy, will balance itself. No matter who is the cause of imbalance, Life will balance the energy. You cannot have devastation and killing going on in one country, and expect those who are the cause of it to escape the consequences.

Innocence has been lost. It is unfortunate that the balancing act works the way it does, bringing harm to people who do not realize the connection, but Life sees itself as a unified oneness, not as a collection of separate individuals. In that energy of balancing, it is impossible to select individuals for "punishment."

In the near future, your sensitivities will increase. You will not be able to insulate yourself from what is happening, no matter where you are or what you have. Many now can insulate themselves because they have the financial resources to do so. Yet there is no safety, no security. There is no way to keep yourself safe. As long as this chaos exists--chaos that comes from separation, from myth, from superstitious nonsense--you are in danger. You will remain in danger until you have the courage to face Life as-it-is.

The whole earth is suffering the consequences of ignorance and separation. The whole population participates in this and is guilty, in small ways and large ways. It is the loss of innocence.

It is time to look deeply at this process we call "Life." It is time to connect completely, fearlessly, to realize that you cannot be separate from what is happening in the world. If one individual dies for any cause, you die. When one being is lost, a piece of you dies, is lost.

An acquaintance recently sent me an email about how "love" can cure the world. Yet there is no love; it has vanished. "Love" has become conditional: "I will love you if you love me back." Humans have gone past what love could do or offer. You have moved into a time of action. The only option is to take action, to stand up and be counted for the truth. You can no longer hide behind your mythical "God," you can no longer have faith in your religion. That myth is a big part of the problem of separation. If your belief permits the killing of others because they are different, you are not innocent; you are guilty.

For a long time, humans have believed in some divine plan, an orchestrated existence. Again, that is a sham. There is no truth in it. There is no divine plan. There is no destiny. Life comes from your direct experience.

Last week, a national magazine had an extensive article on spirituality. From reading that article, it is simply incredible how many people believe the myth, the lie. The article stated that many individuals want to have a personal relationship with "God," not through a church or religion, but by seeing and experiencing it for themselves. In other words, they are asking for the myth. They are asking to have a personal relationship with a lie, something that does not exist. It is an escape. The closest you will ever get to a relationship with the divine is in relationship with your neighbor, with those who are in your life. If you don't wake up, even that will be lost.

Written and transcribed by Terry Grant


This message is part 1 of 4 parts and will continue with "You Are Far More Capable," part 2 of 4; and will follow with "You Are Responsible," part 3 of 4; and conclude with "Come Out Of Hypnosis," part 4 of 4.


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