Shadow and Light

A common metaphor in literature is to liken light to consciousness, and darkness to ignorance. But what makes a good metaphor truly resounding is that it isn't simply analogous, but one and the same. Light is consciousness, and darkness (or shadow) is ignorance. This is where spirituality trumps a scientific view of the world in which all things are seen as separate until proven to be linked, and then still kept compartmentalized for the purpose of isolating phenomena for proper labeling. In the spiritual world view all things are linked, in fact all things are one, and not to sound cliche but, it's all good.

This is the spiritual view, but not necessarily the religious one. In fact, many religions don't stop at dividing the world between "good" and "bad" but take it up a notch with terms like "Evil". Even among the secular who have no special faith in science or religion it's almost impossible to shake the idea that some things are just bad, or simply no good. Ignorance is one of these no good phenomena that we as humans have almost universal unanimity in our wholesale rejection of. And what crazy person would stand up for this underdog of the underworld to be the ultimate devils advocate, to actually advocate on behalf of the devil himself? Ummm, I'll take that challenge, and I'm just crazy enough to do it.

Consciousness (or awareness) is light, and what is light without dark? What is day without night? How can anyone or anything be illuminated when there is nothing to illuminate? And even that which is illuminated is still textured by the interplay between shadow and light, without shadow there would be only light, only a blinding whiteness from which nothing could take form. Even when light shines out into and endless sea of darkness as the Sun and every star in the universe it is shadow that defines that light. Shadow and light appear to be mutually exclusive yet they always meet at the frayed edges of our perception giving us a world of vivid visuals. As light grows shadow shrinks but never fully dissipates, always ready to roll back in with the ebb and flow of our awareness.

We earthbound souls yearn to return to a world of only light, we long to be enlightened so that we might show others the way. But we came to this world for all of the shadow it provides us to live our lifetimes in a state of self discovery, and how can we dis-cover what has not been covered over to begin with? All matter is light trapped, or slowed in it's vibration to a degree that it appears to be stationary, stagnant, permanent. We walk through the forest feeling that it is nothing but an earthy obstacle course not seeing how it flows from the ground up ever so slowly compared to our relatively rapid gaits. To the trees we are almost imperceptible, like fleeting flickering ghosts gone as fast as we came.

But our lives on this planet are not intended to be those of limitless godheads who can see to the ends of the universe and into the mind of the great spirit. Our consciousness may expand and contract but as a rule it can only hold a hand full of awareness at a time, to pick up another hand full requires putting down what you now hold. Our light shines like a flashlight into the darkness, we only see what we focus on and when we turn it is gone to us though it lingers in our blind spot. The Sun and every star is there to show us what it is to have total awareness, complete illumination, to shine in all directions simultaneously. But awareness is not knowledge, it's only a temporary focus on knowledge. We "Know" everything, we simply ignore most of it most of the time, this is ignor-ance and it works hand and glove with awareness.

Now that you know it all, enjoy your ignorance. It's your coffee break from your true state of enlightenment and total illumination.

Grief and Joy

"Grief shared is half grief; Joy shared is double joy."

Honduran Proverb

The Honduran Proverb "Grief shared is half grief; Joy shared is double joy." is widely accepted as a modern truism. It could be described as a kind of emotional socialism, in which sharing is the ultimate answer to our hopes and fears. But why keep such a powerful formula contained within the matters of the heart? Why not use it as a new economic theory that could rival those of Karl Marx and John Maynard Keynes. Let's try it...

"Poverty shared is half poverty; Wealth shared is double wealth."

"Work shared is half work; Leisure shared is double leisure."

"Liability shared is half liability; Asset shared is double asset."

"Cost shared is half cost; Profit shared is double profit."

You may say that this is nothing new, it's just another description of socialism in it's simplest form. Perhaps, or perhaps it's a new level of simplicity that is the key for understanding the most propagandized topic in American history. The level of disinformation around the basic comparisons of economic theories is largely due to the fact that it has been on the top ten list of national security threats for over a century. We have been trained to fuse the word "socialism" with "The Soviet Union" and with "Evil" so that they are all one and the same. All these decades after the madness that was McCarthyism one can still hardly bring up socialist theories without being told that they "wouldn't want to live in Russia."

Whether one would like to live in Russia, or Cuba, or France is beside the point, no nation is a true representation of socialism. The Soviet Union was no more an example of socialism than the United States is an example of Capitalism, neither of these theories have been allowed to follow their true course. Capitalism may be the overall economic system in the United States and much of the world but there is nothing in the basic theory that suggests unfettered corporate rule. But the economic divide that capitalism helps to create and/or maintain inevitably leads to exploitation and corruption. In fact, capitalism has always been a device to continue the aristocracies of the Roman and British empires into modern times wearing the mask of Democracy.

"The market has spoken" is a popular phrase that suggests that democracy extends beyond our ballots to our wallets. But this is not democracy, on the contrary, it's how the aristocracy rules. In the election booth we are all equal, one person, one vote. But in the market place, which we are told has no limits to it's greedy reach, some people have millions of votes and some have none. Some people can buy success in a court room or an election and others cannot pay their rent or buy their groceries. The chance that a poor person who speaks the truth can win an election over a wealthy person who tells people whatever they want to hear is Lucky Lotto low, and the odds that they could change anything of any significance is still lower.

Exactly what about capitalism would Jesus agree with? Some people deserve more? The poor should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps? When did Jesus get all "Tough love" on us? And Jesus said unto the masses: "Go get a job losers, don't expect me to share any of my hard earned fish and wine with a bunch of mooches." Think about it "Poverty shared is half poverty; Wealth shared is double wealth." Would Jesus agree with this statement? If not, why not? I think the answer lies somewhere between the "Eye of the needle" and "The meek shall inherit the earth." What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? A six figure income? A private estate? Lear jet? hmmmm, what would Jesus trade his soul for?

What Wouldn't Jesus Do?

Ahhh the WWJD movement, who would have thought that it would eventually crack the Devito Code of Jesus jokes? Honestly, I had hoped this so-called movement would move beyond the realm of a catchy cliche pinned to the lapels of todays despondent youth. I didn't come up with this phrase but I doubt the person who did wanted it to be a simple slogan, or another automatic catch phrase thrown around by uninspired conversationalists. Some people say "WWJD" as if they are making a point about some topic, but it's not a point, it's a question. And it's not a rhetorical question, though it may be a bit hypothetical.

So Jesus is two thousand years gone and we can ask ourselves what he would do if he were here today, but why? He's not here today, and who really knows what he would do in any given situation? It's all speculation, how should we know what Jesus would do? Well, Jesus actually had a lot to say on the subject and he left us plenty of clues. In fact, if you read over his statements, analogies, and instructions to his followers, you start to think that he intended to be a reference point on the moral spectrum well into the future. Like a true guru he generalized all of his statements so that they may live on beyond any current issues of his day and continue to be applicable in a wide variety of scenarios.

I can hear the Christians ring out in chorus "Duuuuhhhh! Of course he meant to be world famous for thousands of years, he's god!" Really? Then why are Christians not leading the WWJD movement and pushing it to reach it's full potential? Why is it secular and atheist youth who have embraced this concept and brought it to world wide prominence? And most importantly, why don't most (if not all) Christians follow the instructions that Jesus left behind? How is it that Christians in America predominantly lean right and vote Republican, the official party of the rich? How can any person with basic critical thinking skills read the words of Jesus saying "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." ...then turn around and say, "Jesus wants me to be rich."

The WWJD movement should be the solution that dissolves the institutions of religion who have captured the image of Jesus and milked him for personal and political gain. It's hard to believe that the Catholic church isn't already a dried vine, the church and it's current pope are synonymous with child molestation, and homosexual child molestation at that! Maybe we should be asking the question, Who Would Jesus Molest? How can Christians support war? Oppose immigration? Rail against social welfare? And still go to church with a straight face? Lucky for Israel Jews are immune to the WWJD solution, their god has always supported war and cruelty to their neighbors, in fact he encourages it.

So I'm taking this opportunity to start a brand new movement completely original and distinct from other movements. It's called WWJD? or What Wouldn't Jesus Do? Not to be confused with the other WWJD movement, those guys are slackers of the worst kind. My movement will ask questions like "Who wouldn't Jesus Bomb?" and "Who wouldn't Jesus Deport?", "What wouldn't Jesus Do to his fellow man to fill his greedy coffers?", "What Anti-Gay Politician Wouldn't Jesus Vote For?" ...You get the pointlessness. It really doesn't matter what Jesus would do, it matters what we do. If you have a friend or relative who thinks Jesus is just alright, ask them what Jesus would or wouldn't do around these hot button issues of our day. And let them know it's not a rhetorical question, they will be quizzed on Judgement day.

Who Do I Think I Am?

"What you will hear in your ear, in the other ear proclaim from your rooftops. After all, no one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, nor does one put it in a hidden place. Rather, one puts it on a lampstand so that all who come and go will see it's light."

Jesus (The Man)

...And a word to my detractors out there: Where are you? Shouldn't somebody be saying "Hey, who do you think you are?" "You think you can preach your fluffy new age beliefs to me?" "I don't need a lecture from some social drop out!" These are just some ideas, you can make them your own or come up with something original I don't mind. But it would really help if someone out there would give me a piece of their mind, set me straight, knock me off of my high horse. I mean really, who do I think I am? Some kind of preachy prophet who thinks he knows everything spiritual?

Yup. I happen to have a spirit of my own, he's my man on the inside, my informer. He's not really a "he" or a "her" it's complicated, but not really. All that matters is that I have a good connection and it's primo stuff, not that "over the counter" stuff you get in churches, mosques, and synagogues. I even know the source, it's very hard to get an audience with the source but we go way back, to the dawn of time. I shouldn't even be telling you this but I'm actually related to the source, please keep this on the down low, it's super secret hush hush.

But here's where it gets kinda kinky, we're all related to the source. You, reading this, you too have a connection to the source. No, not through me, I'm not that reliable. You have a soul too! And your soul has an all access pass to the universe. You're soul is totally chillin' backstage right now eating from the deluxe fruit tray the caterers put on every table. I know you have some questions for the source but don't expect your soul to ask a bunch of bothersome questions. I mean, the source gets that all the time and must really tire of it after a while. So sure, all you have here on earth is your general admission pass and you didn't get the best seats for the big show, so what?

So don't let anyone tell you that you don't know enough about religion to espouse your spiritual philosophies. Tell them that they know too much about religion and not enough about spirituality. And don't let anyone tell you that you cannot give a lecture on the subject of the day, university professors are not the only ones who can bore people to death with their special knowledge. No one needs to hide behind a bible, a lectern, or a doctorates degree to speak their own truth. And if people don't like your preachy style or messiah complex remind them that Jesus said we are not to hide our light under a basket, but to let all who come and go see it, or hear it. But don't take my word for it, or Jesus's word, or anyone elses, go inside your self, your very own church, and listen to the sermon within.

I'm Johnny C. Wood, that's who I am!

The Book of You

Life on the earth plane is not just a series of events or a petri dish for some scientist in the heavens. Our lives begin with the context of the current moment and all of the aspects of the world we are incarnating into. From that time we begin our long sequence of experiences that shape and mold us day by day. We begin with the pain of birth, a pain so great no person can recall it later in life. This is followed immediately by the greatest joy of all, to be held in your mothers arms and make first eye contact with another soul. From there we are locked into the roller coaster of life with all of it's ups and downs and twists and turns.

When we are riding high we want to believe that we will enjoy uninterrupted upward movement, that things are getting better every day. But what goes up does come down and we find ourselves racing toward the bottom despite our will to grow and prosper and live happy and secure lives. Optimism would like to believe that we can live a life of only highs and that there is no limit to our joy and when things are going well we like to believe that our optimism is justified. But when things are not going well, when we are not happy or secure and things seem to be falling apart all around us, we fear that things are only getting worse and that there is no bottom and we will forever spiral downward in ultimate despair.

When we are experiencing the irrational exuberance of upward mobility we can use some cautionary wisdom to prepare us for the eventual crest and downward movement around the next corner. But it is when things seem to be spiraling out of our control and into a diminishing chaos that we actually seek out some insight or inspiring message to get us through the cold, dark winter of our discontent. The weight of the world and all of our burdens are so heavy sometimes we think we should simply end the journey to escape the pain and suffering. Even if you have never considered suicide or experienced the bitter taste of depression, you have found yourself asking "Why?" and felt that no answer can satisfy the query.

In these times it is necessary to step back from your life and see the bigger picture, and there is one analogy that can take you out of the dark corners of your despair and put you back in your soul seat for some much needed perspective. Life is just a book your soul is reading while it sits in a comfy chair by a warm fire. You are the main character, but alas, you are just a character in a book and your life is just a story. And no matter how cold and dark the night, no matter how poor, how hungry, how hurt, it is a really good book and your soul just can't put it down. When you are falling, when you are in pain and suffering, remember that you are actually your soul who is simply so caught up in this story that it feels real and it's lost in the character, you.

Perhaps your personal and professional life is going well but the world around you seems to be falling apart, sound familiar? Keeping up with world event can be an enormously stressful task, especially if you are actually a journalist who is required to know everything before the general public. And of course if your personal and professional life is in jeopardy and world events seem to be spinning out of control, the stress factor is thrice to tenfold what it may otherwise be. So apply this analogy to the news as you read the morning paper or ritualistically watch your trusted news source. The world in which we live is just a book you are reading, and no matter how hopeless it seems, it is an amazing story to read, absolutely brilliant.

This can be more than a book, any form of art can replace the book in this analogy. Life is a movie your soul is watching while eating juju bees and buttered popcorn. Life is a song your soul is listening to while it dances transfixed holding a lighter like a torch in the crowd. Life is a game your soul is playing and perhaps taking too seriously at times, forgetting it's just a game. The point remains the same, you are your soul whom is merely lost in your story, your role, your haunting melody. Someday the book ends, the song is over, and the credits role, and yet the story lives on, the song is still humming in the ears of those who shared the stage with you. But most importantly, you're still your soul, still reading books, watching movies, and listening to songs. Remember this and marvel at the beauty of your life.

Two Golden Rules

There is a widely accepted story of Jesus' life and times and it's ripe with symbolism. Christianity focuses on Jesus the character in such a way that many people fail to really see the context, the events surrounding his life. It's impossible to understand the life of Martin Luther King, or Martin Luther, without understanding the darkness their light was cast into. When good hearted people observe and undergo great wrong doing they experience a burden, like a weight being added to a load they must carry. It takes courage and conviction to confront those who harm others, and sometimes one must risk their very life to do the right thing. If you cannot find the strength to take your stand you go on carrying that burden as it slowly weighs you down.

Jesus was a working man who found himself and his community at the mercy of religious and imperial authorities, his homeland was under occupation from a strange and distant empire. He was brilliant and passionate and took time in his life for learning and teaching others and they sought out his wise council. And in this role he heard many stories and witnessed many events that gave him a perspective that few others had, he could see clearly the soul crushing force of church and state on the people they claimed to serve. Taxes and fees were imposed on the common man draining their very vitality, and the gold every person must trade bears the face of a conquerer.

When Jesus said "Give to Caeser what is Caeser's, and give to God what is God's" he was referring to both the concept of currency and to the material aspect of gold. Gold represents any coveted possession as it has always been a valuable commodity and worthy of trade for any item of significant quality. To mint coins in a ones own likeness and force the use of this currency is a nonviolent tyranny in itself. But it's also a contract in which one validates the conquerer by accepting his gold on his terms. When one uses a currency to buy anything they are also buying the institution that minted the currency, and the ruler and armies it represents. All of the gold always belongs to Caeser even when it's in your possession.

When Jesus was betrayed by Judas it was for money, Judas was not an evil soul who wished harm on his friend. But those who were of dark soul and cold heart used gold to tempt a weakened Judas to turn in his friend. Perhaps Judas was days away from losing his land, or his family had no food or clothes. The Roman empire was not unlike our modern American empire whose currency seems a blessing and a curse imposed on a world by military force. Much of the same lands occupied in biblical times are occupied today now by the American empire and of course Israel. Jesus the man would not be on the side of the military occupiers in the Israel/Palestine conflict but Jesus the god is slipping the occupiers nukes.

The classic golden rule as stated by Jesus in the book of Matthew says "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." But there is also a longstanding joke deemed the alternate golden rule "The one with the gold makes the rules." Cynical as the joke may be it is an interesting reality from the times of Jesus all through history up to today. Both of these golden rules remain as relevant and valid in the American empire as they were in the Roman and the British empires. And yet they are so different from each other, they seem to epitomize two opposing world views. One is based on fear and material wealth and the other on love, spiritual integrity, and respect for one's fellow man. Let the Caesers of the world take that cold lifeless metal from the ground, we shall turn our hearts to gold and be forever rich.

An ego is just a hole in the wall

Duality is clearly a fundamental aspect of reality, everything has an equal and opposite. Without polar opposites our physical world would not be possible, there could be no north without south, no east without west. To exist in the physical world is to be tall and short, depending on who you're standing next to. You cannot simply be without being in every physical dimension: height, width, depth. To live in this world is to constantly flower in all of these subtle ways opening up to each moment. Perhaps the most important and most subtle divide that makes our worlds possible is the wall between what is and what is not yet.

Long before we exist in all of these myriad physical dimensions we are in another place, separated from the manifest world. We exist but were not yet manifest in the physical world, like actors in the wings waiting to go on. This is true for everything in the manifest world, including the set, props, and costumes. The world would be an impossible mess with everything and everyone on stage all at once. This invisible wall between what is and what isn't yet is porous letting non-things pass through to become things, people, ideas, etc. People? People come through people, born into this world through their mother. And in a way everything is born into this world through something else.

In our culture there is a strange reverence for the human ego, we are both impressed and disgusted by this abstract apparatus. There is a sense that it can be too big and therefore bad, but we then worship our superficial pop culture icons as modern day saints. Fame is clearly not indicative of sainthood, but many of these people actually produce great works of human achievement and deserve due respect. Is it possible the ego has a bad rap, could it be a matter of how we use it rather than if we use it? But how do you understand the function of something so obvious yet so subtle? The true nature of the ego can be unlocked with the birth canal analogy, we birth ideas into this world.

But the wall is also critical for understanding the manifest world, and each of the countless pores in this wall can be seen as one human ego. Our egos are the birth canals that allows non-things to come into this world, and for the most part they are not very big. Most egos lead somewhat mundane lives, dealing with the very ordinary tasks of everyday life. But once one of us is called upon to perform we begin to change, grow, expand. Just as the birth canal dilates on rare occasion to allow something big, something special into this world, so do our egos. The more one can relax and allow this process to occurr the more one can open themselves up to create great works of art, craft, or sport.

In this regard Jesus could be seen as having had a very strong ego, ready to open up completely to every moment. But his greatest strength was his heart that was also ready to open up and feel love and compassion for every person he came across, no matter gender, race, social class. Jesus is seen by some as a god, some as a saint, some as a prophet, and some as nothing at all. Time and worship has erased his ego as if it would take away from his godliness, but his ego was there and it was active in all his roles. It really doesn't matter if your a prophet, a god, or just a child in the school play. The ego was made to open up and let bigger things come through us, if we can ignore the stigma of the ego-maniac bigger things will come through us and to us.