Transformation Course: Lesson 20
Beyond Duality
If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds,
and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them.
But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.
And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?
In terms of sexuality we are divided into male and female. In terms of money, we are divided into rich and poor. Our lives are filled with these and many other dualities. These dualities can easily lead to a polarization of beliefs and lifestyles. Once large groups of people become strongly polarized against each other, it becomes easy for those supporting one end of the polarization to justify hatred, killing, and even war against the other. Yet is this what we really want?
For thousands of years this world has been focused on duality and polarization. The collective consciousness of Earth has long had a tendency to judge most everything in terms of light vs. darkness, good vs. evil, us vs. them. We've in many ways been indoctrinated to embrace the light as good, while avoiding and separating ourselves from darkness, as we were taught that it is evil. As a result of these deeply ingrained dualities, we've ended up in many deep conflicts and wars both in the world and even inside of ourselves.
Transformation Team members know well that every one of us have incredible creative abilities. Yet it's important to acknowledge that we also all have the capability for destruction. There are ample examples of average people being involved in horrifying, destructive acts throughout history.
One blatant example was the response by the people of Germany to Nazi propaganda that Jews were evil. Only a very few individuals were willing to speak out against the atrocities committed there not only against the Jews, but against homosexuals, gypsies, those with physical deformities, and more.
There are certainly inspiring examples of heroes who saved hundreds and even thousands of Jews, but the vast majority of German citizens kept quiet. A powerful poem by German pastor Martin Niemoeller on his choice not to act during World War II exemplifies how people succumbed to polarization propaganda.
First They Came
In Germany they came first for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
This powerful message applies not only to the time of the Nazis. During the conscious campaign to exterminate Native Americans in the early days of the United States, many good Americans simply turned their heads and took no action to stop this destruction. During many other genocidal movements that have taken place around the world and continue to this day, good people have simply avoided talking and even thinking about the issue, thus allowing the massive violence and murders to continue unabated, or to escalate further.
Two major experiments demonstrate how polarities and unwillingness to question authority exist in all of us. The first, the Milgram Experiment, showed that the vast majority of ordinary citizens will inflict pain – sometimes even severe pain – on another person simply because they are ordered to do so by an authority figure.
The second, the famous Stanford Prison Experiment, arbitrarily divided normal middle-class young men into the polarized roles of prison guards and prisoners. The results of this disturbing experiment revealed that the young men put into the role of prison guards within days can become aggressive and even violent towards those assigned to play the role of prisoners. Please watch the below documentaries on both of these revealing experiments.
www.personalgrowthcourses.net/video/milgram_experiment
Milgram Experiment (ABC News - 6 min)
www.personalgrowthcourses.net/video/stanford_prison_experiment
Stanford Prison Experiment (BBC - 30 min)
These experiments show clearly that we all have both creative and destructive capabilities within us. As stated in Solzhenitsyn's quote at the top of this page, "The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being." When we don't live with clear intentions, many people can be pulled down a destructive path by circumstances, pressure from authorities, and even government propaganda.
By developing clear purpose and intentions and following these to the best of our ability, we can shift from dualistic old paradigm behaviors to develop healthier, more harmonious ways of living with each other. The Transformation Team is here to create a new paradigm beyond duality and polarization which can actually be a lot more fun and meaningful than the old ways.
Paradigm Shift
Humanity is now on the brink of an important paradigm shift. The collective consciousness is now shifting with increasing speed from old dualistic ways of thinking to a new paradigm which accepts both light and darkness, both creation and destruction, both us and them as part of the same divine whole.
It is time to recognize that all of these dualities and polarizations can be valuable aspects or manifestations of the same divine spirit, of the All That Is. Sometimes it's necessary to destroy outdated things and change old ways in order to make way for the new. Seeds need to be buried in the darkness of fertile soil in order to sprout and grow. It's time to accept and open to darkness, destruction, and "them" as valued and respected aspects of life which can help us to learn and grow as we work together to find our common humanity.
For a poetic example of this, please read the first two thought-provoking pages of the ancient classic Way of the Wise (Tao Te Ching) at the links below:
https://www.personalgrowthcourses.net/g/way_of_the_wise_01
https://www.personalgrowthcourses.net/g/way_of_the_wise_02
This is not in the least to suggest that by opening to the darkness we unleash our base desires and do whatever we want to whoever we want. We need to stop behavior that is destructive or disempowering towards people whenever possible. The suggestion, rather, is that even as we stop the destructive behaviors, we do our best to accept and learn from the darkness which can cause such behaviors, so that we can better invite transformation through love and empowerment.
In other words, even as we stop destructive behaviors, we can open to seeing beyond the behavior to the divine spark at the essence of all beings. In doing this, we allow for deep healing and transformation to occur. By accepting and embracing the core essence of all people and all parts of ourselves as divine, we open the doors to deep healing and love for all of us.
The new paradigm pierces the veil of judgment to see the absolute divinity that lies deep within each of us. No matter how "evil" some people, some groups (like the power elite), or even some parts of ourselves may appear from the outside, deep down we all want to do what's right, and we are all expressions of love. We are all divine.
Although it may appear at times to be horrible, ugly, or scary, darkness can be a divine teacher with its own divine purpose. We are all here to learn from and love each other. By welcoming back these lost parts of ourselves – these parts of ourselves we have long judged, blamed, and avoided – we not only allow for deep healing, we promote a deep transformation of the collective consciousness of all humanity towards the recognition of all people as divine beings capable of powerfully spreading acceptance and love around the planet.
The below ancient Chinese tale speaks to the power of accepting whatever happens, without the need for duality of judgment.
A Chinese Parable on the Wisdom of Acceptance
Once upon a time, there lived a man on the northern frontier of China who understood the wisdom of acceptance. One day for no reason, this man's only horse ran away to the nomads across the border. Everyone tried to console him. But he said, 'How do you know this isn't a blessing?'
Some months later his horse returned, bringing a splendid nomad stallion. Everyone congratulated him. But he said, 'How do you know this isn't a disaster?'
Their household was richer by a fine horse, which the man's son loved to ride. One day the man's son fell from the horse and broke his hip. Everyone tried to console him. But he said, 'How do you know this isn't a blessing?'
A year later nomads came in force across the border. Every able-bodied man took his bow and went into battle. The Chinese frontiersmen lost nine of every ten men. Only because the son was lame did father and son survive to take care of each other. Truly, blessing turns to disaster, and disaster to blessing: changes have no end, nor can the mystery be fathomed.
Here's another potent piece from the inspiring Daily Om:
http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2007/9469.html - The Paradox of Spirit
Let us commit to helping birth a new paradigm by accepting that whatever happens has its reason and purpose, even though we may not know it. Let us look for the learning in every situation and live life as consciously as we can every day and every moment of our lives.
We invite us all to join in accepting, yet at the same time transcending the old paradigm of duality and polarization. Let us co-create a new paradigm of deep healing, love, and empowerment for all creatures on this planet and in the universe. Together, we are transforming our lives and planet by choosing to open to all that we are in this sacred moment!
The only place that any of us ever exists is at the center of our own consciousness. Yet we can continually expand that center outward to include all around us.
To Complete Transformation Lesson 20: Click Here
"Dedicated to the greatest good of all who share our beautiful world"