Imagining what if?

Imagine mosaic from Strawberry Fields in Central Park (Photo courtesy trec_lit via Flickr)

It is challenging these days to turn on the television, surf the internet or read a newspaper without being confronted by stark reminders of the diminishment in civility, respect and trust in the political discourse of our time. I have no doubt about the sincerity of many involved in the process as they pound the table arguing that their (or their “side’s”) way is the best and that the other side just doesn’t get it and (fill in the blank)…

• Is out to destroy our way of life as we know it,
• Insidiously wants to take over our lives,
• Is bankrupting the country due to their greed,
• Is destroying the environment,
• Doesn’t care about what is happening to working families,
• Etc., etc.

The list could go on and on. And yet that’s not the point of this post.

What if, instead, we embarked on a moratorium of vitriol, venom and general snarkiness? What if we focused on the “what” of our dreams for this country and for our own lives rather than the “how?” Quantum physics talks about the observer effect (explained in the video below), whereby the very fact that an observer is observing something affects what is being observed. So I have to imagine that the anger, fear and doubt that pervades the dialogue about the economy, health care reform, the environment, and the like is somehow impacting the appearance of what we are currently observing.

And then I had to ask what am I, as a result of my thoughts about government and politics, my beliefs about politicians and the political class, my opinions about the media and political pundits, my thinking about the things that I perceive to be “wrong” with all of the above, contributing to the appearance of chaos that seems to be running rampant in Washington and elsewhere in the country? Since I only have control over my own thoughts, if I “become the change” in my own consciousness, to paraphrase Gandhi, can I help create a shift that ripples from California to Washington, D.C.?

It is our fear that divides us, particularly when it comes to politics. And so I’ve been having a fantasy lately…what if, instead of allowing fear to divide us, we allow love to bring us together as a nation? What if instead of praying for the destruction of the political party we disagree with – and thoughts of condemnation, of blame and judgment are just negative forms of prayer – we prayed for harmony? What if for, say, 40 days we prayed for Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Howard Dean, Michael Steele, Sarah Palin, and the rest of the political class, that instead of dividing us along party and ideological lines, they unite as Americans and that we unite behind them; that instead of partaking in empty rhetoric and meaningless politics, we recognize our inherent unity and collectively come together as a nation to identify and implement positive solutions? What if we prayed that each resident of this country had perfect opportunities for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in whatever ways are most meaningful for them?

Dr. David R. Hawkins, in his book Power vs. Force, articulates that “the influence of a very few individuals of advanced consciousness counterbalances whole populations at the lower levels.” So what if a small group of people held in consciousness the wholeness and perfection of our constitution, our government, our political classes, the media, and every person in the country, surrounding each one in pure agape love, and holding a vision of peace, harmony and plenitude for each? What if we started a movement based on “being the change we wish to see in the world?” Because change first begins from within. And then we can move to holding a vision for this country and all of its residents – a vision of love, peace, harmony, and plenitude. It worked for Gandhi, after all.

This is not about scoring political points, because at the end of the day those points are anchored in lower levels of consciousness and prove to be meaningless in the grand scheme of things . This is about being in conscious connection with the truth of who we are.

So I’m proposing that beginning on March 1^st anyone who is interested join me in this experiment for 40 days, through April 9^th, to create a shift in our own consciousness, and thereby facilitate a corresponding ripple across the country. What does it entail? Agree to spend 15 minutes a day for those 40 days holding the entire country in love, surrounding politicians and others in government with peace and harmony, and affirming that the highest and best outcome for everyone be revealed and received under grace and in perfect ways.

If you like this idea and plan to participate, let me know via the comments field below. And spread the word. We can be the change, and by being so, can affect change in the world around us. As they say, “energy flows where attention goes.” And today I commit to focusing my attention for good.