TWO-MINUTE CHALLENGE

Something in the Air by Thunderclap Newman  https://janahaertl.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/01-something-in-the-air.m4a

Get Together by The Youngbloods https://janahaertl.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/01-get-together.m4a

It’s been nearly 50 years since “Something in the Air” and “Get Together” were recorded, but here they are today – every bit as relevant. Can I just say WTF? What is wrong with all of us, acting like petulant toddlers who always have to get their way? At the risk of sounding chastisingly obvious, life doesn’t work like that, people. No one is right all the time, we couldn’t possibly agree on everything, and as Mick Jagger admonished us, “You can’t always get what you want.” Let’s get over ourselves and move on already.

Hatred, misunderstanding, prejudice, and provocations abound… it seems to be all about winning these days. The diplomatic blessing and wishy-washy curse of being a Libra is that I really don’t see what’s so difficult about listening to one another, respecting opinions that contradict our own, and working to find compromises that everyone can live with. At the baseline of humanity, we all want the same thing: a safe, happy environment in which to thrive and enjoy life. If we could simply follow the rules we learned in Kindergarten, the world would be far more peaceable. A Pollyannaish perspective indeed. It’s a complicated, deeply divided world, but somehow we need to shake it up and streamline things.

At the same time, no one should have to sacrifice their personal integrity and values – so long as they’re not mean-spirited or violent. In The Death of Outrage, William Bennett wrote, “In a self-governing and law-abiding nation, we must never allow ourselves to be lulled into passive disgust or indifference, the civic equivalent of a shrug of the shoulders. We must never lose our sense, when appropriate, of outrage.” Thankfully there are (mostly) devoted politicians who are willing to serve our country. There are (mainly) peaceful activists who take to the streets and town halls to make our voices heard. And there are (a few) wise diplomats who have the strength to pull entire nations together. Me, I’m more of an apolitical, behind-the-scenes, reluctant revolutionist, taking action in one of the few ways my simplistic mind can wrap itself around the whole convoluted mess. OM.

Neuroscience is proving that health, wellbeing, and mental function improve with regular meditation. The concept that our thoughts can also affect the world at large sounds wacky, but quantum physics is beginning to prove that this is no farce either. If meditation works so well for individuals, it stands to reason that this power is amplified with many individuals. It’s the same principle as the power of prayer – a group of people focusing their intentions on a single ideal or wish to manifest the desired outcome.

An experiment was conducted in 1993 to demonstrate the effect of group meditation on crime levels in Washington, D.C. The results of this collective meditation over an 8-week period showed that the violent crime rate decreased by 23% during this time. It was a carefully controlled study of 4,000 meditators and was analyzed by a review board of 27 scientists and civic leaders. According to the Global Love Project, “The implications of this are exciting yet not surprising. Meditation does not just serve you; it serves your world, assisting in raising the overall frequency and consciousness level on the planet.” (This better not be fake news…)

My personal meditations have become increasingly dominated by my frustrations experienced while watching and reading the news. After banging my head against the wall, I’ve been concentrating on the big conundrums of our country rather than wallowing in my own little life. There’s something in the air that feels like a two-minute warning. It doesn’t matter what “side” you’re on or what you believe. It takes every one of us doing our own bit parts to harmonically converge as one. Let’s synchronize our alpha brain waves on the concept of collaboration, cooperation, and compromise for the greater good. Kick our united intention onto higher ground.

Meditation – easy it sounds – is tough, so I challenge you to a mere 2 minutes a day. Whether or not you believe in quantum physics and the power of the collective whole, just humor me for a few weeks. If it feels like good things are happening – to you or to the world around you – keep it going and maybe even bump up to 5 or 10 minutes a day. It helps to have a “mantra”, which is simply a single word or phrase to center your thoughts on. Here are some mantras to mix it up with:

• Collaboration
• Cooperation
• Compromise
• Listen
• Respect
• Peace
• United
• No fear
• Work it out
• Come on people now
• Smile on your brother/sister
• Everybody get together
• Love one another
• Right now
• Get our sh*t together

My Two Minute Challenge: Set your timer for 2 minutes. Close your eyes. Think about your mantra until the chimes ring. Even a 5-year-old Pollyanna can do that. Come on people now. Let’s will togetherness.

(Photo from Huffington Post)

 

The Global Love Project:

http://www.globalloveproject.com/power-of-group-meditation/

The Global Conciousness Project:

http://noosphere.princeton.edu