Finding growth from 'they', 'them' to 'we', 'us'

When walking in the forest today I was reflecting about the state of the world and recent political changes.

After some time listening to the wind in the trees, the water gently trickling in the creek and the many birds going on about their busyness and chattering this is what my pencil wrote upon the paper.
-----
It is unlikely that humanity will survive for much longer following the path of greed, competition and separation that is exemplified by the peak of individualisation and wealth accumulation.

It is also unlikely that the planet will be able to handle much more of the over-consumption and harm caused by human's collective mass destruction and domination of nature.

It is unlikely that collective systems such as governments, trade partnership associations and multinational corporations further the singular goal of economic supremacy will ever implement wholisitic solutions to cultural, ecological and social challenges.

Yet these things are a temporary moment, a snippet in humanity's walk and a mere second in the millennial millennia of our planet's evolution and also a blip in the millennial, millennial, millennia of the universal across time.

Across our planet and many societies there is much division of those that wish to protect their right for individual supremacy and resource extraction in direct contrast to those that wish to protect the greater picture of inter-connectedness.

Viewing any form of media that is available online or in printed form shows a deep sense of mistrust, of dislike and even hatred toward for those that are the other end of the spectrum.

They, those, them.

I was saddened to watch the debate between political party leaders in the recent Queensland Sate elections and just as saddened to observe the interactions in the American elections. In both was a level of immaturity, desensitisation, name calling and attacks that reminded my of early teen behaviours in school playgrounds.

It brought up my own judgements of politicians as 'them'. A good awareness for reflection.

Yet I observe that at both ends of the spectrum in politics, religions, corporations, climate activists and many other playing fields where differences arise there is a spectrum of interconnection that even against the individual's desire to join with other individuals and form an 'us' against 'them' there is always a friend, a family member, a colleague, a sport's team member, a teacher, nurse or others who are loved and also a member of 'them' that the group is against.

This brings a conflict within.

It is impossible to be separate and fully be against 'them' whomever 'them' is.

At this moment on our evolving planet, we are collectively given the opportunity to let go of the fallacy of individual supremacy which is by its very nature temporary, and embrace the collective we, us, our, which is and always will be our natural state of being.

What this means for me... and perhaps an invitation to you, there is a choice!

I can choose to collaborate for a collective goal that has multiple benefits across diverse measures towards better outcomes for now and well into the future. Yet how do I do that? How can I invite others do so too?

It became apparent to have a litmus test, a decision list to assist me making decisions that were right.

1. Does this decision cause connection and collaboration or separation and competition?

2. Does this decision have a positive benefit across one or more cultural, ecological, economic, and social areas of existence without reducing other aspects?

3. Does this decision bring aware awareness that a child of my linage in 7 generations time would sit with a child of your linage in circle and and together would agree that it was a positive choice with multiple benefits? Would they be grateful for this choice now?

4. Does this decision, from my inner core, feel like a positive choice to take?

If any of these are a no, then perhaps it is time to join with others to co-create other options that changes the 'no' to a 'yes'. 

I intend to bring these questions into my everyday so that it becomes a natural way of being to inquire for me.

And, I have an invitation to you, when you hear of the actions of others with something they have decided to follow that has far reaching implications, before categorising them as a 'them', inquire whether their decision passed that same litmus test of questions as you would go through for your decisions.

If your assessment is a no, rather than choosing to be separate and at odds, I offer the challenge to walk toward them, listen and offer to co-create solutions with them. In that place another seed for 'we' and 'us' is planted.

For a truth that is within me, and maybe within you:

        there is no separation - it is a temporary illusion

        there is only interconnection that is to be valued and celebrated - that at its core is permanent

May these words bring contemplation within you,

Jason