Our changing world is challenging our philosophies, our religions, our beliefs, and our societal structure, and out of those challenges an important era of human history is emerging.
Humanity is on the brink of a new axial age, a pivotal time in world history where the transforming foundation of philosophy and/or religion generates a dynamic influence for profound worldwide change.
Even though this time in human history has been designated as the “end of the world” by some belief systems, many are questioning this presumption.
A deeper understanding of our reasons for being on this earth is rapidly surfacing for those ready to find it.
The ideas presented in this book are suggesting that we take a long hard look at the belief systems we hold. It provides references, ideas, tools, and exercises for scrutinizing and sorting through them. The process will stimulate different questions which will help us arrive at new answers.
The axis upon which our new era pivots is a Revolution in Consciousness, an opportunity to change the rules of the game to benefit all of humanity, not just a privileged few.
EXCERPTS FROM THE INTRODUCTION:
At this pivotal time in history it is crucial to examine the deep seated hold our belief systems have on us in order to survive as a civilization. Each individual must become consciously aware of his or her personal core beliefs and question those that they have outgrown or are clearly destructive or unnecessarily limiting.
Do beliefs create reality? And if they do, can we change them? I give a resounding yes to the first question and a qualified yes to the second. I think that we are so deeply boxed in by what I call a “Core Belief Matrix” that is at the foundation of our collective belief systems that we remain locked in a paradigm of limited thinking prohibiting us from making deep and lasting change. Our world view prohibits us from perceiving different ideas offered to us or giving them credibility even if we do become aware of them.
Cultural transformation is a gradual process that unfolds one person at a time. When we examine the world view we personally hold by becoming aware of our own subconscious patterning and belief systems and give ourselves permission to question what we find within ourselves, we become empowered to change what doesn’t ring true in our lives and embrace and develop what does.
Each personal transformation contributes to a shift in the collective consciousness. Individuals can and do make a huge difference in this way. As we modify our beliefs and patterns of behavior, we change the way we interact with those who are close to us, causing shifts and that process creates a ripple effect. A different resonance is created that attracts people and events that are compatible with it and that also contributes to changes as new people with new ideas come into our lives.
This time in human history has been designated as the “end of the world” by some belief systems. I along with many others share a view that there is an “end,” but it is the end of the world being run by forces set into motion by belief systems that are hundreds, maybe thousands of years old that have been altered and misinterpreted over and over again. Evolving humanity is outgrowing these belief systems. A deeper understanding of our reasons for being on this earth is rapidly being made available to those ready to hear, and the information that will help us with that understanding is right under our noses.
We live in an extraordinary time in human history where we have access to a large body of metaphysical/esoteric material as well as alternate versions of our religious history. Throughout history this material has been uncomfortably ignored and/or blatantly suppressed by those who have been in positions of authority as it would drastically affect the power of their established institutions. It is essential to recognize how easily the individual and the masses can be manipulated and controlled through the establishment of belief systems by those who are vying for power.
This is the new frontier in human evolution, and it is on the leading edge of the consciousness revolution, as each of us learns to understand that we, through our thoughts and intentions and dreams and desires, have the power to re-create the world we live in.
Science is now able to explain many concepts that once were only available to the mystic, and we are growing to understand that we individually and collectively have more potential and latent abilities than we could ever have dreamed. With the explosion of information available to the masses, we have the tremendous opportunity and responsibility to access this information and understand it and utilize it.
A beloved teacher once said that we have to get outside the set in order to see what the set is all about. We cannot make changes as long as we are living within the set, because we are locked into the beliefs of that set. We have to be willing to suspend our beliefs for a time and take a bird’s eye view of the direction those beliefs have taken us. This book is an attempt to take that flight outside the set humanity has been trapped in for millennia.
The same beloved teacher mentioned above once said that we cannot build a new world on the old foundation; we have to create a new floor. That thought has stuck with me for many years as I have pondered what a new floor might look like. I think it has to start with new core beliefs. We cannot generate new core beliefs, however, until we are able to identify our current core beliefs and understand where the limitations and fallacies lie.
Throughout this work, I will present some of the ideas, tools, and questions that have helped me examine my core beliefs and drastically revise my world-view of what is possible. I will share some of my own experiences as examples, as well as the experiences of others who are involved in the process of challenging and changing their realities as guidelines and suggestions of possibilities.
At crucial defining moments in my searching, I was blessed to experience encounters with various teachers in the form of individuals, classes, books, groups, and my own internal promptings. Each of these experiences helped me to identify a core belief and to alter my worldview yet another degree.
I have drawn from material originating in Eastern Thought, New Age Spirituality, Christian teachings, eclectic spirituality, quantum physics, psychology, depth psychology, political and social issues, alternative health, and my own inner resources. For that reason, the information presented in this book is by default an eclectic synergy of ideas. My intent is for it to be used as a study guide for those who are looking for an interactive way to approach and work with current spiritual and psychological ideas and concepts.