Wake Up!

Human Consciousness

“Consciousness precedes being, and not the other way around…For this reason, the salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart, in the human power to reflect, in human modesty, and in human responsibility. Without a global revolution in the sphere of human consciousness, nothing will change for the better in the sphere of our Being as humans, and the catastrophe toward which this world is headed, whether it be ecological, social, demographic, or a general breakdown of civilization will be unavoidable.”

Vaclav Havel (former President of Czechoslovakia)

          Havel was an early protestor about climate change and politics. He echoed the words of G.I. Gurdjieff, that consciousness is essential and called for change on all levels of human enterprise. As human greed rose to prominence, and the resources dwindled, he, along with others called for humanity to wake up and realize that we must change in order to survive. He said, “We still don’t know how to put morality ahead of politics, science, and economics.” And, that the core of all our actions, if moral, is responsibility. Responsibility to the greatest good rather than to family, company, country, or personal success. He called upon the us to allow our moral compass to be our guide.

          Havel and others explored what could help humanity arrive at this level of consciousness for its own survival. Dag Hammarskjold was one of those. Hammarskjold, then head of the United Nations, and involved in shuttle diplomacy to bring peace in the Middle East in the 1950’s, wrote to his chief of staff, “We happen to be those on the spot, and we have to play ball with both guts and prudence…Once you go head-first into it, even the most impossible task may show unexpected opportunities.” (Parabola article by Roger Lipsey, Spring 2020, p.19)

          As Hammarskjold suggested, there are no impossible tasks, there are only unwilling people. But there are also willing people—ones who can solve problems for all of us, who work with genuine consciousness and determination. People who have the courage to stand in the halls of power and say what needs to be said, and who will roll up their sleeves and get to work. We must have courage enough to face the facts without denial and without distraction. We can call on God, however we name God, for inspiration and support and guidance, but then we must be willing to take action to do everything we can to curb climate change—not for some airy-fairy reason, but for the survival of our species. To do this, we must first attain consciousness.

          These are the words of Dag Hammarskjold: “It is difficult…to hear the low voice of reason or to see the clear little light of decency, but of course, both endure, and both remain perfectly safe guides.” (Lipsey, Parabola, Spring 2020, p.23) Since we are now "those on the spot," we must listen to our conscience and regain a moral orientation to life on this planet. I truly believe our lives, and the lives of all creatures on Earth, depend upon it.

                                                            In the Spirit,

                                                            Jane