War...What Is It Good For?

To start, I just want to thank Edwin Starr for the title of today's blog. Thanks Edwin. Very cool song.

There's always a story in the news about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. You just can't avoid it. Almost ten years on and I suspect you would need less than one hand to count the number of days during that period where either encounter hasn't been mentioned on the television or in the broadsheet. The topic of today was an Australian soldier who had served in Afghanistan turning his back on the army. In an irate email to his mate, he tells of a situation endured by troops during a certain gun fight where one soldier was killed. The email, that was leaked, berates the military for not supplying the troops with enough ammo or the right sort, insufficient back up and allowing the diggers to go into the situation with bad intelligence reports. It's a cutting email.

The night before I had sat through an Australian Story programme which focused on an Australian war correspondent who had served the equivalent of 80 odd tours in Iraq. The movie The Hurt Locker came to mind as this guy was obviously seriously screwed up by everything he had seen and experienced, but kept going back until he reached breaking point. Having brought his long list of consecutive consignments to an end, he still kept watching videos of the war, over and over and over. Why? I don't know. To try to understand it better? To try to understand his reactions to situations he had found himself in? To try to understand war full stop?

War has been part of human activity for thousands and thousands of years. It's what we do. Has there ever been a time when there wasn't some sort of war somewhere? I think not. The thing that amazes me is how prehistoric we are sometimes. What actually has war achieved? Peace? Perhaps, but for how long? Personal satisfaction for power hungry despots? Yes, but we all know they're a bit screwed in the head to begin with anyway, whether they lived thousands of years ago or today, and often even when they wear a suit and tie (a very clever disguise for all those Westerners out there, dear reader).

Humans seem fascinated by war and disaster. Just look how many of us couldn't stop watching those Twin Towers fall over and over and over again nine years ago. Don't worry, I'm not judging or accusing anyone, I include myself in that group. I also love historical novels about war. Hannibal and his elephants fascinate me, Roman army tactics can keep me in awe for hours, and the war strategies of Alexander The Great leave me speechless and impressed. But why? Is it part of who we are as humans? Is it something we have to do, just to be a mammal on this planet? I watch the television and see grown men (or not so grown if I'm honest, which makes it all the sadder) pump lead into each other, and if I detach myself enough I can see how utterly ridiculous and immature it seems.

Is this because as humans we crave initiation and awakening in what is termed the hero's journey? Think along the lines of Jason and the golden fleece. The point of the story is not just to pop you off to sleep at night. It's about overcoming your adversity by finding your inner strength and reaching your bliss as a result. The point is, the journey is an inner journey, not an outer one. Yes, you may have to overcome outer obstacles and situations to put you on that inner journey, but you have to deal with yourself, not "what's out there". Is this what we are trying to achieve in a rough and primitive fashion globally by creating war? Or is it a cunning ploy by "those in charge" to keep us in fear and hence make us easier to control? Possibly, but it's up to each of us not to buy into that.

Humans supposedly have a higher consciousness than other animals. Many believe we are more more developed both in spirit and in the mind; that our brain is structured differently, more evolved so to speak. Alberto Villodo, PhD tells of the four levels of awareness, the reptilian brain, the limbic brain, neocortex and prefrontal cortex. The former two are of a prehistoric brain and based on survival. The latter two are more evolved and wiser in their functioning. A lot of the time we don't evolve to use the latter to their potential, sticking to the former with the idea of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

It's easy to look at everything going on out there and say that the problem is too big, that you're too small to make a difference. But, as Gandhi said, you have to be the change you want to see in the world. A lot of individuals put together can make up a considerable group, and who knows, perhaps the theory of critical mass holds true and we only need a certain amount to change the whole. Perhaps we need to take a leaf out of Mother Theresa's book. When asked to protest against war, she said she wouldn't. But have a rally for peace, and she would be there for sure. SHe was focusing on the positive.Enough of pointing the finger and time to make the change for ourselves. And no matter how important and intelligent those world leaders out there look on our television sets, they're just humans and they (very obviously) have their fears. Let's help them out.

Now, perhaps I'm being way too idealistic. Maybe the gods want us to war with each other for their own entertainment and maybe my own interest in war is what concerns me. I don't know, but thought it was worth a thought. :-)

XXX

A Lesson From Two Ecstatic Goddesses

Not much to report. Everything taking place slowly, slowly. Two horses are being ridden and two pilates studios have become places of employment. Not a bad effort for a couple of weeks back down south. The weather is slowly warming and the Spring blossoms are vigorously showing their little faces. I can drive from Beecroft to Glenorie and smell flowers the whole way. Half an hour of natural aromatherapy! I'm still unpacking belongings and to be honest, the bedroom floor will probably be littered with books for some time yet. Isn't a messy environment a sign of a genius mind or something???? Besides, I could think of worse things to be littering your floor with. And better things. ;-) I was flicking through and old favourite, "Ecstatic Beings" by Shazzie and Kate Magic, both ecstatic beings themselves. I've hung out with Shazzie a bit and she is Love and Earth Mother combined and personified. We've played with lettuces together, drunk green juices, eaten vegan ice-cream and analysed that strange category of being called "blokes". After spending time with Shazzie, not only do you feel lighter and infinitely wiser, but you come away realising how perfect and gorgeous the world really is.

Shazzie and Kate have a great analogy of helping each other on our spiritual journeys. Someone reaches down a hand to help you climb a ladder, each rung leading to a higher level of consciousness, and you do the same for someone else below you. None of us are better or worse than each other, just at different points on the journey. My viewpoint is that we're all just organic portals for the mass consciousness to experience life from different angles. If that viewpoint resonates with you, then you'll realise that we're all basically the same thing; all just a chip off the old block of mass consciousness. Therefore in helping each other, we're helping the whole and therefore ourselves. Get it?? Hope I'm not losing anyone here!!!!!! This is supposed to be a fun viewpoint not a lesson in philosophy!

Breathe.

ANYWAY, I think the point to keep in mind with this whole theory, is that you HELP them up. You don't try and drag them up kicking and screaming. If they're not ready, you have to leave them. Or perhaps their path is to be one a little different from your own. You must keep your energy high and not lower your vibrations to metaphorically get under that person and push them up. It will never work.

So, let's help each other along. No judgement. No preaching. Just good old fashioned love with a little bit of trust in the "all knowing" thrown in for good measure. ANd know that at this point, everyone is where they're supposed to be in life.

XXX

Manana

I associate everything that happens in life with some kind of lesson. And as I start to find my feet in this big old sunburnt country, my next lesson is becoming painfully clear! Patience is a virtue. Not only can I not make a decision to save myself, I'm probably the most impatient person you'll encounter. Everything has to happen now. Right now! And if it doesn't, well chances are that the world will come hurtling to a complete and final end. I feel overwhelmed by everything I believe needs to be done….health insurance, new phone, job, somewhere to live, car, unpacking boxes, jetlag, catching up with people, planning ahead in general. For example, I had been back one day and had found all attempts to get a new phone failing and crashing at my feet. You guessed it…end of the world. I mean geez, I may as well give up on life right now! I guess over reaction can be a side effect of the stresses related to re-establishing yourself, but it's times like this with my elusive new phone, that you need to step back and reconnect with the observer that is in all of us. That quiet little ever present being that's been part of you since day one. The part of you that has never changed. That's the little you that can see the big picture and see the pointlessness of most of our problems and concerns in life. Luckily I was able to find mine, have a chuckle and enjoy not having my brain fried for a few extra days.

There's also some Shamanic teachings that can come in handy during these times. Don't be scared and don't scoff! Just humour me and be a little open minded for a few sentences. I was reading a book called "Illumination- The Shaman's Way Of Healing" by Alberto Villoldo PhD. There's a great lesson from the Andean shamans he's worked with. Manana. That's it. Just manana. The lesson is this…."not doing today what will take care of itself tomorrow…trusting the implicit order of the universe, even if you cannot understand it at the moment." Simple but not always easy. Especially if you're a bit of a control freak like me! It doesn't mean just sitting on your rear end, feet up and doing nothing. It does mean to progress and create your life, but in a more balanced and responsible, less chaotic way. I think it's a good lesson. In the crazy rat race of a world that some of us find ourselves in, it's a nice little bit of advice to carry around with you. At the end of the day, it's just life, isn't it?!?!

XXX

Continued Journeys

So, it's the first day of September as the plane touches down in Sydney. I have successfully avoided the southern Winter. Now it's time to continue my journey. People have been keen to tell me how one big event has ended and another is to begin. End of holidays. Back to reality. Work. Misery. Struggle. My question is why? Life doesn't really consist of beginnings and endings does it? Everything is just one long organic progression. Hopefully always looking forward. Always stepping up to the next rung on the ladder of life, learning and enlightenment. One thing always just leads to another. Forever. Maybe this is just a coping mechanism when big change is imminent, but it feels very real for me. I don't feel that my time away from Australia has completely ended, so to speak. I feel that it has changed and developed into something else. Like a progressed relationship.

My family are there to meet me in Sydney. My family are always there for me. Where I spoke about my friends in my last entry, my family is always at the top of the list. Their support, although often accompanied by questions and doubt, is always solid and for that I will always be eternally grateful. And although I know that they may see me as a tad troublesome and strong-willed, my intention is always true, even if sometimes I fail to communicate it so well.

So, let the journey continue! May it be at least as exciting and all encompassing as it's been so far. Onward and upward!!!

XXX

So Long And Thanks For All The Fish

One week left and I guess I could have travelled to any number of places, added a few new countries to my travel map to take the numbers up a bit, taken a few more photos, had some more experiences. And I'm sure I would have enjoyed that immensely, but as it turned out, I did what is more important and more enjoyable than any of that. I caught up with people important to me. Some of the people who have made these last few years some of my most poignant.

People wonder why I travel so much. Why don't I just settle down? What's wrong with me? Why am I so scared of still and set? I travel for many reasons. Of course for the excitement of seeing a new place, experiencing a new culture. Testing myself in a foreign environment; experiencing the enchantment one finds in simple beauties; questioning my own perhaps way too set beliefs and maybe even just to distract myself as more than one person has suggested!

But the most lasting and deep memories are always the people. Whether it's the people of a new land or travel companions. Travel has lead me to some of my truest friends and often biggest influences. Even those you don't get on with can cause you to take a closer look at yourself. Also experiencing new environments with old friends can make or break friendships. The friendships that hold fast are always stronger and more pure. More honest and more trusting.

Outer journeys are also catalysts for inner journeys. Inner journeys are perhaps the more difficult. They're the ones that are not always so pleasant, the ones where you have to be blatantly honest with yourself. And the friends that help you through these are the truest of them all.

Saying farewell to these people can be heart wrenching but leaving people who are the dearest to you can actually build a friendship into a very real and lasting one. The old saying comes to mind…..absence is to love what wind is to fire. It distinguishes the small and enhances the great. Absence can clear out your life completely, but what is left are friends who are pure diamonds. The most precious stones that will not only be in your life for a long time, but friendships that are strong and pure.

So, although I always know how hard it is to say goodbye, and it always is, the next hello shared will hold more joy and pure intent than any other greeting.

So, to those friends I leave today I say thank you. Thank you for changing me. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for showing me a me I never knew was there. Thank you for believing in me, helping me, guiding me, putting up with me. Thank you for reaching out a hand when I needed one and for scolding me when I needed that as well. I doubt there is anyone in the world as blessed as me. And although the pain of leaving you today is real and deep, I know that our next hello will be the greatest of moments.

Until we meet again……..

XXX

Farewell Prague

With just one morning left for exploration purposes, first stop was the Mucha Museum. Alfonse Mucha was a Czech artist who lived from 1860-1939. His fame came during his residence in Paris where he was renowned for his Art Neuve posters, especially those he produced for French actress Sarah Bernhardt promoting her different performances. He is also very well known for his enormous art work , The Slav Epic. This is half a kilometre long (20 canvases) and took him 18yrs to complete.

Next it was a quick dash up to Wenceslas Square to see the statue of the great king himself. It was interesting to see the finished product having seen the two small statues in the art gallery yesterday which were pre studies to the main event of which I was now standing in front of. It was just a smidge bigger than the other two! And with that, my very short but tremendously enjoyable sojourn in The Czech Republic was complete and it was back to London Town.

XXX