Silver Lining of a Global Crisis

What if the silver lining of a global crisis is revealing that the single greatest discovery we are making on our quest for true happiness is the extent to which the current structure of our values has been directing that search away from contentment?

And since the affects of a downturned global economy are evidenced in every aspect of our lives, we are now standing on the precipice of a new beginning. Therefore, the answer to this question will emerge as ultimate evidence of what’s really of importance to us. Will we enter this new era with a values structure that will allow us to evolve consciously or will we continue to live in doubt and insecurity?

A new earth begins at home and our decisions about the effects of a downturned economy on the holistic retreat industry will determine not only its future, but our ability to live with greater levels of authenticity, responsibility and dignity.

We have always had choices to make about our lives, which college and career to choose; where and how to spend our money and time; which relationships to keep, which ones to end; do we have children or not, and if so, how many; to which God should we offer our soul?

In fact, up to this point in our evolution, it seems to have been all about creating more and more options. But have any of these options ever included questions like: How do we co-create a conscious future? Do we want to be involved in the evolution of consciousness in culture? What is of ultimate value to us?

When we begin to consider these kinds of questions it is already too late to go back. When we acknowledge and value the inner importance of feeding our consciousness, as well as our economic wellbeing, there is no doubt some essential nurturing is now necessary.

If the evolution of consciousness and the responsibility of making this a better world is highly valued by us, then we will make sure that any deficiency, such as a lesser availability of funds, will only affect those parts of our lives that are less important, or less valued by us. For instance, will we go out for dinner fewer nights per month, will we buy less seafood and more eggs, will we play chess at home instead of going out to play golf, or will we read more books instead of going out for a glass of wine? Will we continue to feed our spirit or try to find contentment, as we have been, in all the material aspects of this world?

I am not saying that material pursuits are wrong. But, it’s all a matter of our values. What if the downturn in the economy is calling for us to focus our attention on bigger matters, such as life and death, which of course includes the sustainability of the economic system?

On the other hand, it is very likely that many people will stop attending retreats and workshops. There will be other things that have a more important role in their lives. But, such individuals would perhaps act in that manner whether there is an economic crisis or not.

The silver lining of a global crisis is that it will likely be a catalyst for a great shift of values for one simple reason; it is inevitable. Perhaps this moment of economic uncertainty is our greatest excuse and incentive to sit down and clarify once and for all what our values are and what our purpose really is here in this world. When there is plenty of money available to spend, we can also pursue a spiritual life, because there is enough for everything. When there is no choice but to select one over the other, our values will be called into focus. This may allow for a dramatic rise of interest in matters of ultimate significance.

The silver lining of a global crisis has less to do with the restriction of expendable income and more to do with a reorientation of those same funds as proof that we, as the human race, value something higher than scientific materialism.

After all, are we not now capable of placing our spiritual development into a hierarchy of needs? Therefore, when the global economic situation calls for us to reorient our values —those core structures by which we make decisions —our reason for doing so will be based also on the fact that despite the mind-boggling selection of therapies and personal improvement programs of the past, something is gravely amiss: evidence of simple ease and fulfillment. By evidence I mean not sterile statistics, but the joy of discriminating awareness and the ability to consistently come together with other people in the absence of unnecessary conflict.

Without the call to clarity that is being brought on by the current economic turndown, perhaps a conscious life would have been next to impossible.

To create the conditions for a new earth, we first have to identify the life we have constructed and are sustaining because of the influence of concealed conditioning on our values. To awaken is to discover those self-conversations and dialogues, relationships and responses to life that curb the expression of your most natural Self. If unconsciousness is plucking at the heartstrings of your freedom pursuits, unnecessary suffering is rife and impossible to escape.

The lessons of our past are there for us to learn from. Now it’s really a matter of priority. Will you harness the power of that wisdom?