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Sometimes, even for the optimistic, it’s hard to be positive when we look out at the world and see such hard times, economic woes and global strife. From the Vedic tradition perspective, it is said that we are going through a dark 'epoch' or 'era' known as the Kali Yuga. Kali is the fierce Hindu Goddess who is known as the destroyer of illusion. During Kali Yuga, it is said that there is 75% negative energy (illusion) and only 25% positive energy (truth). Even though Kali Yuga is seen as a “dark” time (absence of light), it’s also seen as the best time to grow spiritually if we have the proper perspective. But how can we gain this perspective, keep inspired and grow spiritually during such outwardly challenging times? The first clue is to just know that when you look to world, only 25% of what you see will be positive! The other 75% is just the Divine drama or illusion playing out on the world stage. Looking to the world during these times, then, will rarely be a source of inspiration! This is not to say that we should avoid the world or not do our part to change what we can. The only thing we should avoid, though, is trying to derive meaning and inspiration from something that is very transient, chaotic and impermanent. Putting too much focus on outer reality can also prevent us from focusing on what is really important on the inner level. If I’m too focused on the outer world situation it is very easy to get depressed and hopeless about the future. Since all we really have access to is the “now” or present moment, though, (neither the past nor the future) our power resides right here where we are. This means that now more than ever, it’s imperative that we understand our purpose in life and what we have to offer the planet. If we’re stuck in either the events of the past or trying to figure out the unpredictable future, we literally have no power to act. The question to ask yourself during these times is what is really most important to me? What is my “inner” reality telling me that I must act on? We can never be certain of what the future will bring but we can take steps now in the present that will influence it. So what is it that you’ve been putting off for the future? What is it that you’ve wanted to be that is on hold until outer conditions change? What could you be, act or do now right now in the present that will change the course of your life and your future? You might have noticed that the order of words I wrote was be, act, and do rather than do, act, and be. This is because, in truth, the power to change your life is not in doing, it is in being. Gandhi said: “Be the change you want to see.” In other words, who would you have to “be” in order to fundamentally alter the course of your life? Once there is clarity of Being, the acting and doing take care of themselves. The ironic thing is that for most of my clients, this “quality” of “being” is already present in their lives. For example, even if you are not currently paid for it in your job, who you are on a “being” level is always present. It is what you “do” when no one asks you to. It’s how you show up even if it’s not part of your job description. It’s the difference you make each and every day, even if your contribution is totally transparent to you. Getting clear on how you already show up on the being level, then, becomes a huge clue to discovering your greater purpose and contribution in life. So while we are discovering our purpose, how do we respond to these “hard times” you might ask? What exactly is being asked of us during this “dark” Kali Yuga? My answer is that, during these times, we are each being called to radically shift our awareness into a whole new paradigm of understanding. Knowing that many of the radical earth changes that we are seeing are mirroring to us the need to shift our perception, will help. As we change and begin to shift within, the planet itself will no longer have to take on the role of the catalyst for our growth. As we come into balance and harmony we will begin to see a restoration of balance and harmony on our planet. But what can we do to shift our perception....? We can begin by taking our place as planetary healers by stepping fully into our unique gifts and forms of service. We can begin by surrendering to the flow of universal energies that are always available to support us in developing our highest potential or power. And we can let go of the illusion that we as individuals are separate and don’t make a difference. In the Kali Yuga, we are learning that each of us has a calling or spiritual destiny that is essential to the whole; to the healing of the planet. As we surrender and step into full awareness of this truth we will receive the guidance we need to move forward. The challenging thing is that this is not something that we can figure out with the mind. True inspiration comes as we surrender to our calling, allowing Spirit to “in-spire” us with a higher vision for our lives.
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