CHAPTER 2: THE ROLE OF THE INDIVIDUAL VS SOCIETY

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In the Aquarian Age to come, there will be a great restructuring of the role of the individual versus society. For peace and harmony to truly manifest throughout the world, all people must be aware of the intricate web in which we are all part. Further, they must realize that all other beings are their brethren in consciousness, and that all beings together are one whole existing one planet, Earth. The time has come to move from a loose collection of independent self-centered individuals, to a true society of cooperatively interdependent Self-realized beings. Until we do this, the Age of Aquarius will remain only a dream; for the very essence of this foretold age is founded on the Unity that comes from individuals aligned with each other and acting as one.
What is Society?
Society is a group of human beings, held together by agreement for reasons that are mutually beneficial to the individual members. Societies operate as a whole, as a collective body, chiefly in ways that look out for the highest common good of all. Members have specific roles and responsibilities within the society. One of the best direct analogies is with the human body itself. The cells are all alive, independently, yet they group together and establish roles, responsibilities, and relationships that allow a greater whole to exist that is more than just the sum of the parts. The cells gain from the specific roles they play because they are allowed to be what they are more effectively. Further, they are given a limited awareness of the whole that their efforts aid in creating.
Similarly, when individual human beings group together to form societies, an organization is created in which the members are the cells. Subgroups of the members may form organs through which higher level functions can than manifest. If the relationships are loose, the body created has limited functionality over that of any individual member because there is little synergy. When the relationships are close and founded on a basis of love, the body thus created has significant functionality over that of the individuals. When the group is small, few organs can be created so there is limited complexity or functionality. When the group is large, many organs can be created, resulting in highly increased complexity and functionality.
Countries, regions, states cities, and neighborhoods could all be considered to be societies as could teams, groups, and any other organizations of people. For our purposes here, the most important society is The United States of America since it is the one established to set up the New Order for the Ages, Novus Ordo Seclorum.
Society is more than the government, however. It also includes all the economic and social infrastructure necessary to provide people with what they need.

The Contract Between Individuals and Society
Currently, we do not sign a contract with society. All that is asked of us is that we abide by the laws of the land. If we do so, we are free to go about our own business as we will. If not, and if we are caught, we pay the applicable penalty which may include restriction of our freedom. Society does not owe us anything, nor does it expect anything from us. If we become extremely needy, society may help via some social program. We pay taxes to provide some basic common services such as security, roads, law enforcement, and various social programs.
The economic system part of society has no overall contracts with us either. It does not guarantee us jobs, as evidenced by the current high levels of unemployment. When we do find jobs, we are either hired by the month, the hour or the piece. The job is worth what the employer is willing to pay and the employee is willing to take. The contract is for the employee to put in time and effort in return for wages. In many cases, there is no guarantee of continued employment by the employer, and the employee is expected to provide two weeks notice for termination. The bottom line is that getting work and keeping work is up to the individual. One exception is that unions are established to enable individuals to bargain collectively.
From this, it is obvious that at very basic levels, our society is still functioning as a very loose collection of individuals. Only basic services are provided by the government, and the free market economy is driven by profits, not by supplying the needs of individuals. As a result, we see massive problems all over the country in nearly every area of life: education, health care, crime, employment, etc. We've grown past the point where individuals or small groups can take care of themselves. Modern life has too much complexity for that. However, even though our lives have grown much more complex, our infrastructures and organizations within society have not evolved to meet the changing needs. We still have no real contract with society. This has to change, and soon -- or, our problems will literally bury us.
Pure communism offers a contract of cooperative interdependence between and among its constituent citizenry. It says:

• From each in accord with their abilities.
• To each in accord with their needs.

Unfortunately, this has never been offered on the planet in a manner where its conditions could be upheld. The USSR did not set up an economy and social structure that offered appropriate jobs that used the unique abilities of individuals and clearly did not give the people what they needed. If it had fulfilled these conditions, nothing in the world could have made it fall. Part of why it failed is that it may not yet be practical to create such a union between individuals within a society. However, it may be useful to come up with an adaptation that might work. We can get some ideas of how this might be done by looking at cooperative interdependence as exemplified in the human body and in nature.
The human body is clearly set up in a cooperatively interdependent manner. Individual cells do not have to worry about whether their needs will be met. Various body systems take care of getting food, air and fluids into the body. Other systems break the raw materials down. Other systems ensure that the proper nutrients are distributed where they are needed. Still others ensure waste is carried away. Systems cooperate to ensure that the needs of each individual are met. In return, the cell is only asked to do what it was designed to do, to function cooperatively in accord with it's abilities, taking directions from higher levels of organization as needed for the beneficial operation of the whole.
Nature itself operates in this same manner. Each individual organism is adapted to perform a unique function in its particular environment perfectly. It's simply amazing to see the beauty and diversity that arises from each being operating in this manner. Further, throughout the natural world, each individual is asked only to do those tasks for which it was designed in exchange for getting what it needs to exist. It is allowed to take whatever it needs for as long as it lives, but it may be taken itself to be consumed by another at any time. The end result is a system of incredible richness, wonder, and natural beauty.
In the Aquarian Age, this type of contract will be essential. But, it is not a contract between individuals and the government. It is a collective contract between individuals as equals choosing to create a new type of society between, among, and around them. The basic contract must be as stated before:

• From each in accord with their abilities.
• To each in accord with their needs.

for this involves the very essence of elegance. It succinctly ensures that each gives in the most effective way possible while ensuring that they get what they need in return. It couldn't be stated any simpler or more clearly.
However, for this to work we need a few terms defined -- in particular, abilities and needs. In addition, we need to be clear about how the from each and to each parts of the contract are to be executed. We'll leave both of these things until a bit later in the chapter. Also, it is interesting to note that cooperative interdependence by itself says nothing about the nature of the economic system that might be employed.

Questions of Private and Public Good
Before we go much further, we need to explore issues related to private and public good. We would prefer to preserve individual privacy and private good, yet the public good is equally important. Private good involves ensuring that each individual is provided a means for getting that individual's needs met. Needs are more than food, clothing, and shelter however. Needs encompass all areas of an individuals well-being: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Many of the problems we see in this country today stem from the lack of any responsibility on the part of society for various aspects of these needs. For the most part, meeting one's needs is an individual responsibility. The national government was only given responsibility for overall security, laws and justice, international relations, and things that impacted the whole country. State and regional governments were given similar responsibilities for more limited areas, plus education. In very few cases are there any specific responsibilities for ensuring that individual needs are met. In fact, in most cases, individual rights and freedoms are specifically called out simply to ensure that the government doesn't overstep it's bounds.
In general, what is for the public good, has higher priority than private good, by the sheer power of numbers. Majority rules is the name of the game, except in the rare exception when specific guaranteed individual rights are involved. The current governmental structure does not ensure the common good is maintained either. Political power, and the sway of industry- backed lobbyists ensure that many decisions are made in a manner that is not necessarily for the largest public good, but instead is for the good of a few companies and a few specific localities.
The economic system within society provides the primary means by which individuals exchange their labor for the goods and services that they need. It does not guarantee anything, it simply provides an opportunity. For most of the history of the United States, this has been an unequal opportunity. The medical system is a key example of where the system does not work. The costs of care have risen unceasingly over the last few decades, making many people unable to afford medical care or even the cost of medical insurance. In addition, though we have high productivity and per capita income, we still have people that are homeless and starving; and, we have many people below the poverty level.
One key reason for this is that we don't look after each other very well. All the focus on the individual has placed nearly all responsibility there as well. The limited infrastructure set up by the government doesn't ensure that individual receive what is needed to discover and develop their talents and abilities. Further, even if this does happen, the economy doesn't ensure that there will be a job within the area in which one lives that can use those talents and abilities.
Emotional needs are rarely addressed at all, unless they become large enough problems to require psychological help. School is focused on educating the mind, primarily the logical left brain. It pays little attention to emotions or to the intuitive right brain modalities of thinking and knowing.
Spiritual needs are a matter left to the churches or to the individual. An individual is free to believe and practice in any way that individual chooses, so long as the method of practice does not break any laws. For most people, this involves being indoctrinated into the religion of their parents as kids. As adults, many people leave religion altogether. As the momentum behind the New Age builds, metaphysics presents people with various spiritual principles and ideas related to the nature of reality creation. Out of this core spring forth much of the information on which a foundation for the coming Age of Aquarius can be built.

On Freedom and the Pursuit of Happiness
The Declaration of Independence includes these powerful words:

• "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

How self-evident are these truths, and how faithful has our government been in ensuring that these truths were upheld? Let's take them one by one. The first truth is "that all men are created equal". Interesting wording. This does not say that they are born equal, for surely they are not. This also does not say that they are equal, for this is not true either. The differences are glaringly obvious, in abilities, in talents, in wealth, in intelligence ... and in a host of other areas. The words specifically refer to the initial act of creation only. As souls we are equal. While the wording specifically says man, that was a problem of the times. In truth, all humans are created equal. This equality applies primarily to what humans can potentially become, literally children of the creator who in turn co-create their reality. Note that this statement says nothing about the nature of the creator itself. In particular, it does not state that this creator is God. My understanding is that there is God, Goddess, All That Is, in that order. God is the One. Goddess, Divine Source, expresses the two nature, duality. Goddess expressing in line with the Will of God created All That Is. We as souls are part of All That Is.
The next few statements deal with inalienable rights. Inalienable means that these rights cannot be taken away by anyone or transferred to anyone, PERIOD.
The first of the inalienable rights is life. How can this be? Everybody dies eventually. The key is that death is not the end of life, only a transition. This is true of sleep as well. Sleep is not considered to be the death of waking conscious only a transition that we go through each night, to awaken when we arise in the morning. Our Founding Fathers were some of the brightest men on the planet -- most of them were involved in various mystery schools such as Freemasonry. You can bet they knew what they were building and that they picked their words very carefully. Remember, they were founding a New Order of the Ages, carrying out a task of great importance to the entire world.
So, the only meaning there can be for this is that we were created in a manner that allows us to live forever. Since bodies are born and die, the essence that is being referred to must be our true natures, outside of our form in time and space. We are in truth infinite beings in potential, created in the image of our creator, endowed with the potential to learn and grow and become co-creators with our own creator.
The second inalienable right is liberty. But, what is liberty? Are any of us truly free in this existence? One definition of freedom is the ability to access and act upon information. Another definition would have us be able to do that which we want to do. National security severely constrains the first. Economic and legal considerations severely constrain the second. Again, this is neither self-evident nor inalienable. To get to the real meaning we must again resort to metaphysics. As souls, we are free to do as we will, and further, we have access to all information and are free to act upon it in any manner we choose. The bottom line is equal access and equal right to free choice. The only limitations we experience are those we create for ourselves.
The third inalienable right is the pursuit of happiness. Again, looking around, it is not clear that all people in the country, or worse yet, on Earth, have the right to pursue happiness. I guess some people might find happiness in the midst of poverty and squalor, but clearly they do not have a very good opportunity to pursue happiness. The ways and means should be easier.
For the Aquarian Age, the goal is to allow spirit to be enfleshed as fully as possible on this planet. As spirit-in-flesh living in this world, the rights called out by our founding fathers become our birthright and the objective becomes to live in a manner consistent with these self-evident truths. Society's chief task then becomes one of creating the environment that allows this to be realized in flesh by all individuals on Earth, HERE and NOW.

The Rights and Responsibilities of the Individual
Before we get to rights and responsibilities, let's first consider what an individual needs in this day and age. Also, we need to discuss the difference between wants and needs.
To begin with, needs come in four areas: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.

• Physical needs are such things as food, clothing, shelter, and health care.
• Emotional needs are such things as relationships, safety, job-satisfaction, happiness.
• Intellectual needs are right and left brain education, creative expression, challenging work.
• Spiritual needs are ethics, meditation, self-realization, samadhi.

In addition, such things as play, rest, and recreation may involve two or more areas at once.
Needs are those things which an individual must have to be able to function effectively. Wants are those things which an individual desires that are above and beyond what is needed to function effectively. A form of transportation may be needed. A car may be the most effective form for providing the transportation under the specific conditions. A new Mercedes or BMW however is clearly a want, not a need. Need satisfies function. Want satisfies function + other tangible and intangible desires. As another example, a college education may be required to prepare a person for a particular job in line with that persons talents. Wanting to go to an Ivy League college to get that education is above and beyond the need. The bottom line is that society should be concerned about ensuring that needs are met where possible. If individuals want more than this, it should be up to them to do something extra to earn the privilege.
Where possible that extra should be in terms of doing something valuable for society, either by making themselves more valuable to society through additional effort, or by providing additional service to society above and beyond that required in their contract.
The primary right of an individual is to have ones needs met, through entitlement as a child, and through being provided with a satisfying means for providing one's service in exchange for the things and services or money needed to procure the things and services that one needs.

1. Each individual has the right to nutritious food throughout their life. Whenever, for any reason, they cannot afford it, it should be provided for free.
2. Each individual has the right to sufficient clothing. This should be clean, comfortable, fashionable, and warm.
3. Each individual has the right to housing. This should be safe, clean, warm, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. As an adult, the housing should be provided so that it is close to work yet close to family and friends as well. In general, the environment should be conducive to providing a lifestyle that allows an individual to be happy or at least pursue happiness.
4. Each individual has the right to health care. This should be free and readily available. It should be holistic, treating body, mind, and spirit; and should include a blend of what works best from the East and the West.
5. Each individual has the right to education. This should be tailored to maximize the development of the individuals unique gifts and talent. Education should include left and right brain components and should include basic spiritual instruction as well. Further, education should continue throughout the individuals life.
6. Each individual has the right to be employed in a manner that allows that individual's unique skills and talents to be used in a way that is satisfying to the individual and in a way that is in alignment with that individuals purpose. Employment should pay an amount that allows the individuals basic needs to be met plus includes a discretionary income to cover other needs and wants. Where possible, individuals should be allowed to work at home or in their own local neighborhoods.

Rights should always be followed by responsibilities. Since the rights we've listed are extensive, we would expect the responsibilities to be so as well.

1. Each individual is responsible to treat others with kindness and compassion and to avoid hurting them where possible.
2. Each individual is responsible for exercising discipline in their life by keeping their needs within bounds set by society and exerting reasonable control over their wants.
3. Each individual in school or training is responsible for enthusiastically and steadfastly applying energies to studies so that lessons can be learned effectively and efficiently. In addition these individuals shall devote at least 20 hours per week to community service.
4. Each individual not on training status is responsible for applying their energies and talents enthusiastically to achieve their purpose and to benefit society. Each individual shall on average apply 60 hours per week to some combination of working at an assigned job, developing their skills and talents, and providing service to others.
5. Each individual shall abide by the laws of the society, living in peace and harmony with others at all times. Any grievances or disagreements shall be brought to mediators for resolution.

The Rights and Responsibilities of Society
Once again, before we discuss the rights and responsibilities of Society, it is useful to understand the needs or society as distinguished from the needs of individuals.
The needs of Society are:

• Love: Mystics, Saints, Humanitarians, Light Workers
• Wisdom: Philosophers, Poets, Wise Ones
• Peace: Peaceful Warriors, Peace Officers
• Harmony: Musicians, Decorators
• Beauty: Artists, Designers, Evaluators
• Elegance: Efficiency Experts, Effectiveness Experts, Evaluators
• Inspiration: Master Poets, Master Artists, Priests
• Tolerance: Counselors, Evaluators
• Justice: Judges, Mediators, Arbiters
• Government: Executives, Diplomats, Negotiators, Planners, Administrators
• Economy: Economists, Executives, Leaders, Managers, Planners, Laborers
• Education: Teachers, Facilitators, Evaluators, Psychic Workers
• Housing: Architects, Construction Workers, Maintenance Workers
• Environment: Master Ecologists, Architects, Planners, Ecologists
• Transportation: Engineers, Designers, Maintainers, Transportation Workers
• Health: Food Workers, Nutritionists, Health Care Practitioners, Doctors, Mental Health Practioners

The top seven needs deal primarily with the emotional and spiritual basis for society. The next two deal with the means for resolving disputes and maintaining balance. The final seven needs deal primarily with the physical and mental basis, including the infrastructure.
The whole purpose of a society is to enable individuals acting together to do more than they could do as individuals alone. When two or more people are united in this manner there is an added synergy that allows energy to flow through the union to do its works. For a society of many, this additional energy is phenomenal -- creating changes and efficiencies of effort that are wondrous to behold. However, we have not yet seen a society of many constructed in this manner on a grand scale. Individuals have been reluctant to constrict their freedom in a manner necessary for entering into a binding contract with one another. Contracts are typically relegated to business matters only. On rare occasions groups of individuals have bonded together to jointly pursue their greater good. Here, we are talking about doing this on a scale of an entire country or the whole world. Such an enterprise has never been undertaken.
The goal is to create a new entity, a body that is composed of whole individuals instead of just cells. The result of such a creation is a physical body for cosmic consciousness itself. No one body would be sufficient for allowing its physical expression. It is only a large group of individuals united and aligned in the proper manner that creates a suitable physical vehicle. The entire group would be partitioned into smaller groups or organs, each responsible for its assigned function. Further, individuals would have their assigned functions within the various organs, systems, or parts of the body infrastructure.
One of the key requirements, however, is that each person does the very thing that person was designed to do. This is revealed in the person's purpose. A core group of beings already know their purpose. It is that group that will start the revelation necessary to build the global body -- the ONE. The birth of this body will mark the beginning the Aquarian Age.
Given this new understanding, what are Society's needs?

1. To get a sufficient number of individuals aligned and working harmoniously together to provide a form that allows cosmic consciousness to express physically.
2. To enlarge the society over time so that the new entity main gain in consciousness and eventually encompass the entire planet.
3. To stop acting in a manner that does damage to the environment and to correct damage done to the environment by man's actions.
4. To operate in Peace and Harmony.

In return, what are Society's responsibilities?

1. To assure that the needs of each individual are met.
2. To provide each individual with challenging and meaningful work that employs that individual's talents and abilities.
3. To assist in creating an environment in which all individuals are allowed to experience their inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in flesh as true equals.

Declaration of Cooperative Interdependence
We hold these truths to be self evident: that all souls are created equal, that we must through determined action create the conditions that allow souls to be fully expressed in flesh, that cosmic consciousness must be expressed in a physical vehicle to enable souls to be fully expressed in flesh, that individuals form the cells of the physical vehicle required by cosmic consciousness, and that only by establishing a cooperatively interdependent society will cosmic consciousness have the vehicle it needs to be embodied on Earth.
Further we freely choose to declare our cooperative interdependence to allow for the creation of this physical vehicle for cosmic consciousness to be put into motion. To achieve this end, we establish the following contract between and among us:

• From each individual according to that individual's purpose and abilities,
• to each individual according to that individual's needs and desires.
• Always we act in peace and harmony, and as true brethren.

We are all One People
We realize that we are all one people, that whatever happens to any one of us happens to all of us. We choose to treat one another with dignity and respect, and to assist and help one another when in need. Further, we choose to live in peace and harmony, resolving any and all conflicts among us in ways that are peaceful and just. We call to cosmic consciousness to assist and guide in our endeavor so that the vehicle for the expression of the ONE can be created in the most effective and expeditious manner possible so that the Age of Aquarius can be brought forth with the least turmoil and suffering to our fellow beings.

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[ON TO CHAPTER 3]
[BACK TO TOC]

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beyond@redshift.com

Copyright © 1995, Wayne Hartman, Revised -- (16 Sep 95)

CHAPTER 1 BEYOND IMAGINATION: A PRELUDE TO THE CHANGING TIMES

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We have chosen to live in some wild and exciting times. The pace of change in all areas of life is very fast -- quickly moving towards astronomical. The decade of the 90's will bring more change to our world than has been experienced in many centuries. We are riding on a wave, a wave that has truly reached tidal proportions -- and it will dramatically impact all areas of our lives, as we know them.

In the coming years, it will seem as if the very foundations of our society and our world are crumbling before our eyes. Trust your inner sensing, for this is indeed exactly what is going on. We are already seeing this happen, right now -- the weather, the governments, the religious institutions, the education systems, the health care systems, the family, the economy, the ecology of the planet -- literally all aspects of our lives are in tremendous turmoil. All of our social systems are facing huge problems, problems for which they have neither the resources nor ability to address. And, it has only just begun!

The bottom line is that we have reached a breakpoint where the core beliefs at the foundation of most of our social systems and organizations no longer work. They no longer serve us! The key factor in this is that after a long period of growth, we have reached some of the limits of our planet; limits that can not and will not be ignored. We have neglected the key principle of the Tao, balance and harmony in all things. We have forgotten that we are fellow travelers, jointly occupying spaceship Earth. And, for that, we are paying and will continue to pay a heavy toll. Whoever said that ignorance is bliss, was dead wrong when it comes to issues on a global scale.

The great seers of the past all foresaw this time. They saw it as the destruction of the world, armageddon. What they failed to understand, however, was that out of the ashes of the old, a new world would arise -- one that was beyond anything that they could even imagine, for the very foundation was so alien to them that it could not be expressed in their visions. Our perspective, now, is much wider than theirs, allowing us to dream of things that were not possible in the past, and from these dreams to manifest a world and way of being that is truly beyond imagination.

The challenges that lie ahead are monumental. But, collectively, we have everything we need to not only face, but to overcome these challenges and to create a better world, in the process, for all beings who choose to remain here. However, cooperation will have to supersede competition as the chief motivating factor in human endeavors. This will not be an easy transition for the majority of those in power at this time. We are truly at the crossroads of a new age, and it is our choices in the coming decade that will determine the character of how that age is expressed.

Yes, the current economic systems will fall sharply, as they increasingly fail to meet the economic needs of those they are meant to serve. We've already seen the fall of communism as a viable economy, at least in the form practiced in the former USSR -- capitalism is not far behind, especially as practiced in the USA. As we'll see later, the principles upon which our current economic systems are founded are deeply flawed. They do not permit a global economy that is fair to all, and they do not operate from a true sense of integrity.

The current governments will fall, as well -- for they no longer meet the needs of the governed. Here too, the cause is that the principles upon which these governments are founded are deeply flawed. But, we'll get to this later as well. One of the major factors, however, is that we, the people have relinquished our responsibility to govern ourselves, and to create the appropriate circumstances and environment in which to learn, grow, and develop to our highest potentials; and live, work, and play in a manner that is aligned to our spirits and ultimate happiness. We create our own reality! We are responsible for all that we experience! There is nothing external to blame. We are seeing and experiencing the direct results of our own choices. Yes, each and every one of us.

There is a bright side to this as well. We have chosen to live at a time in which the possibilities are unlimited. We can create our world to be whatever we want it to be, collectively -- and we can do so within as short as a decade. At no other time in history has humanity been in such a position to so dramatically change its experience of life so quickly. The speed at which new ideas can manifest now is simple awesome. Just look at the changes in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union that have occurred in the past few years alone. These are just a small sample of what lies ahead.

Now, this is unlikely to be an easy transition. But, fortunately, the overall consciousness is ready for massive change. This readiness, this preparedness, this openness will be instrumental in pulling us through. However, the way is not yet certain. The innovative ideas, principles, and social constructs required for a true New World Order have yet to be dreamed, imagined, created, explored, and made manifest.

As an individual, flexibility will be extremely important in the days to come, as will intuition and knowingness. I strongly advise that you take steps now to "know thyself", as intimately and as accurately as is possible for you. For, knowing your abilities, your talents, your capabilities, your strengths and your weaknesses -- these will be extremely important to not only your happiness, but to your very survival as well. Further, it would benefit you to begin to create mutual support groups around you. For, the interdependence and cooperation among these groups, these chosen "extended families", will also determine the quality of your life during the coming times, and possibly whether you will survive or not. Unless your selfhood is expanded to include others, you will not make it through, I can almost guarantee it.

Think of yourself as a traveler, an explorer, about to embark on the most exciting and challenging adventure that you will ever take. For, in many respects, that is exactly what you are and what you are about to do. But, make haste, there is very little time in which to prepare, and the only thing that you can bring is whom that you are. It behooves you to know just what that is. It also behooves you to know more about the people immediately around you -- for, at some point, you may need to rely on their abilities, skills, knowingness, and talents as well.

Now, those of you who need security, you may want to look deep within and find a source of security inside yourself, for in the journey ahead it may be impossible to find it anywhere outside. Security usually is accompanied by stability -- you know, like the rock; and, in the midst of all the changes ahead, such stability will be very rare, that is, if indeed it even exists at all. You may want to experiment with ways of remaining secure within extreme mobility. For, mobile you will surely be, as the adventure takes you into new lands and new worlds.

It is not necessary that you understand, or that you accept or believe, anything that I say. I offer unto you my vision of what stands before us. It is not my intent to argue with you, or to convince you that I am right. This is my vision, period. You may also want to see what some others have to say about this. I recommend that you start with Ramtha, Breakpoint and Beyond, Powershift, or Upcoming Changes: The Next 20 Years. The bottom line is: accept what you will, what feels right to you. Ultimately, all that really matters is utility. If the ideas and concepts I present empower you and enable you to act, create, and make better decisions during these changing times, by all means, use them. If not, throw them away and replace them with others that work for you.

Also, if I step on beliefs that you hold sacred, or go too far into Woo-Woo land for those of you that hold your left brain abilities in high esteem -- don't take it personally. It might help if you retain an attitude of curiosity about why I might have such a strange, sacrilegious, or foolish belief at all. You can bet that if I believe it there is some reason for doing so, and that reason is usually one of usefulness. Remember, in both science and metaphysics (or religion), truth is generally not the issue, beliefs do not deal with the realm of fact or truth. What matters is utility. Does the belief serve you, or does it not! Beliefs are tools through which we create and experience reality, period. They do not require proof. For, if there is already proof, there is no room for belief. Further, I take my beliefs seriously, as long as I hold them -- but, I also change them frequently. I'd advise you to do the same. Remember, after all, we are here to play, beliefs are our playground -- and reality creation is one of the best games around.

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beyond@redshift.com

Copyright © 1995, Wayne Hartman

Behold The Old City!

In the days when my eyes were awake 

My feet stood amidst the Presence of the Elderly Spirits 

Pouring libation to our Ancestors At the Assembly where the Aged sat in council 

 Waiting to unveil the future today 

Before me was put the echo of the wind 

To carry my breath to the people with a Message 

So they may hear and listen and understand The Word as spoken from the Beginning:

 "A city set on the hill cannot be hidden!"

Arise! O my people! 
Rouse yourselves from the stupor of your slumber 
Rinse your salvy eyes with water from that deep well 
And behold your blessings upon which you sleep 
On gold have you laid your mat and pillow.


 I have raised men (and women!) amongst you
 Who I have charged to chase the night away 
As this dawn ushers in the New Day at Sunrise 
Your wrongs have I cancelled and blotted out forever 
That I may not remember your sins anymore 


My blessings today abound in manifold 
I give your children cloths of white raiment 
Your elders have grey hair and full teeth 
See and count the fruits from your sons and daughters
 Before Creation, your City was set on this Hill! 


Do not be blinded by what you see 
Neither must you let what you hear dwindle your Hope 
For unto you was the Promise made in Ancient of TIMES 
I AM the maker and keeper of the city and its gates 
Now I grant you to walk on those Streets of Gold!

The Prophet Prays

For some time now I have been deep into pensive contemplation praying for the course of my people. Then the LORD led me to this prophecy in the book of Isaiah. I believe the fulfillment of the prophecy with its attending veracity in our modern times. I know you are the prophecy come true. Jesus told you this two thousand years ago!

Isaiah 11, NIV

1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.

10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush,[b] from Elam, from Babylonia,[c] from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean.

12 He will raise a banner for the nations
and gather the exiles of Israel;
he will assemble the scattered people of Judah
from the four quarters of the earth.
13 Ephraim’s jealousy will vanish,
and Judah’s enemies[d] will be destroyed;
Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah,
nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim.
14 They will swoop down on the slopes of Philistia to the west;
together they will plunder the people to the east.
They will subdue Edom and Moab,
and the Ammonites will be subject to them.
15 The LORD will dry up
the gulf of the Egyptian sea;
with a scorching wind he will sweep his hand
over the Euphrates River.
He will break it up into seven streams
so that anyone can cross over in sandals.
16 There will be a highway for the remnant of his people
that is left from Assyria,
as there was for Israel
when they came up from Egypt.

The Narrow Path

JESUS CHRIST:
"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

John 15:19

Just yesterday I was handed over my freedom pass into the land where all Earth Masters walked - The Narrow Solitary Path. Henceforth, I am a free man to say what need be said and tell what need be told, write what need to be written and document the most outrageous record. For I have succeeded in freeing myself from societal trappings set to perpetually put man into captivity. In the end, "The stone that the builders refused, shall be the chief cornerstone." I pray that end comes before the end of us all. And it shall be soon! Not that their downfall is any of my joys, but natural law decrees irrevocably that, "Touch not my anointed!"

Today, I sit here on top of the golden hill beholding all that has characterized our earth-walk as a people. Our history is not far-fetched and so it is relatively easier for one of my kind to bring into review the bitty-gritties of our daily body politic. We Jacobus are one interesting people. Any Jacobite is a passionate talker, and a fluent public speaker (but mostly for an unknown courses). And whoever wants to be heard is heard shouting. Interesting.

For openly critiquing the rulers of my people, our so-called leaders now seek to defame my hard-earned reputation and bring my gentleness into disrepute. Sadly they shall achieve some success before, gladly, their comeuppance befall them in no time. I haven't been the good boy that is overpraised in the courtesy books; neither have been all bad that no good can be found in. I have fully experienced life that the average 30-year young man can taste of. I have no regrets whatsoever about my past and my present. But I painfully shall regret what lies ahead on us, as a people, should I be coiled into mute silence for fear of persecution.

Both top-most political leaders in Jacobu have a sore need for some serious advisers and aides. Ironically, both are oblivious to their predicament which shows in their obstinate lack of discernment in choosing aides and personal advisers. What we now have on our hands as a result of their negligence is, potentially, good men surrounded (even swallowed!) by self-seeking despots and demagogues who know nothing when it comes administering public rule. It should therefore come as no big surprise to any of my so-journeying kinsmen - and women - to visit home and be confronted with nothing but strife, neglect for free wisdom, blatant disregard for what I call 'educated input', as well as the continual extinction of the community spirit by partisan politics.

Surely such shall not be the destiny of my people! Amansie Central District/the Odotobri Constituency deserves better than avaricious finger-pointing leaders who know almost nothing about what it means to lead the political charge. Not so long as there is a High Council at the centre of which the Almighty sits in state.

So for those who have known, in full or in part, who the heck! Kwasi Mensah is, today, he's been counted among the rebels, the cursed, the forsaken, the rejected... just as the likes of Socrates, Gandhi, Mandela, Biko, Nkrumah, So-Journer Truth, Peace Pilgrim, Paul and even the Son of God-Son of Man Jesus were cast by the ignorant masses at the time their eyes were sealed from beholding that free Light the Maker blessed Humanity with in the lives of such.

Socrates believed "ideals belong in a world only the wise man can understand", making the philosopher the only type of person suitable to govern others. In Plato's dialogue the Republic, Socrates was in no way subtle about his particular beliefs on government. He openly objected to the democracy that ran Athens during his adult life... Socrates objected to any form of government that did not conform to his ideal of a perfect republic led by philosophers.

Gandhi manifested a self-sacrificing offer of his life to free his people even when the oppressor and the oppressed thought he was not of himself. Can you believe that?
Mandela was deemed a terrorist by the colonial masters of his beloved country; so was Nkrumah and Biko. Few appreciated the impact So-Journer Truth's escapades would have on America's thorny human rights record for the Black slaves. You should know Jesus' story better (for all the days you've called yourself a Christian). Cruelly crucified for freely espousing esoteric truths that hold the Universe together. SELAH

Today we all bask in the achievements of such radical stalwarts of change without fully appreciating the forces they had to stand against, the persecutions they endured, the names they were called, lies that were said about them, to the point of brutally killing them so you and I can be what I AM today. The torch is lighted and except on the lamp-stand, nowhere else fits better for it to be positioned.

Let he who reads take note that the End begins where the Beginning begins; Darkness ushers in Day. And so at the cusp of change as gargantuan as is taking place right now in your world today, this time calls for the renewal of your mind. And it begins NOW.

Come all ye faithfuls!

The Prophet's Prayer

New International Version (NIV)
Isaiah 51
Everlasting Salvation for Zion


1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness
and who seek the LORD:
Look to the rock from which you were cut
and to the quarry from which you were hewn;
2 look to Abraham, your father,
and to Sarah, who gave you birth.
When I called him he was only one man,
and I blessed him and made him many.
3 The LORD will surely comfort Zion
and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden,
her wastelands like the garden of the LORD.
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

4 “Listen to me, my people;
hear me, my nation:
Instruction will go out from me;
my justice will become a light to the nations.
5 My righteousness draws near speedily,
my salvation is on the way,
and my arm will bring justice to the nations.
The islands will look to me
and wait in hope for my arm.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment
and its inhabitants die like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
my righteousness will never fail.

7 “Hear me, you who know what is right,
you people who have taken my instruction to heart:
Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals
or be terrified by their insults.
8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment;
the worm will devour them like wool.
But my righteousness will last forever,
my salvation through all generations.”

9 Awake, awake, arm of the LORD,
clothe yourself with strength!
Awake, as in days gone by,
as in generations of old.
Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces,
who pierced that monster through?
10 Was it not you who dried up the sea,
the waters of the great deep,
who made a road in the depths of the sea
so that the redeemed might cross over?
11 Those the LORD has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

12 “I, even I, am he who comforts you.
Who are you that you fear mere mortals,
human beings who are but grass,
13 that you forget the LORD your Maker,
who stretches out the heavens
and who lays the foundations of the earth,
that you live in constant terror every day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
who is bent on destruction?
For where is the wrath of the oppressor?
14 The cowering prisoners will soon be set free;
they will not die in their dungeon,
nor will they lack bread.
15 For I am the LORD your God,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the LORD Almighty is his name.
16 I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you with the shadow of my hand—
I who set the heavens in place,
who laid the foundations of the earth,
and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”
The Cup of the LORD’s Wrath
17 Awake, awake!
Rise up, Jerusalem,
you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD
the cup of his wrath,
you who have drained to its dregs
the goblet that makes people stagger.
18 Among all the children she bore
there was none to guide her;
among all the children she reared
there was none to take her by the hand.
19 These double calamities have come upon you—
who can comfort you?—
ruin and destruction, famine and sword—
who can[a] console you?
20 Your children have fainted;
they lie at every street corner,
like antelope caught in a net.
They are filled with the wrath of the LORD,
with the rebuke of your God.

21 Therefore hear this, you afflicted one,
made drunk, but not with wine.
22 This is what your Sovereign LORD says,
your God, who defends his people:
“See, I have taken out of your hand
the cup that made you stagger;
from that cup, the goblet of my wrath,
you will never drink again.
23 I will put it into the hands of your tormentors,
who said to you,
‘Fall prostrate that we may walk on you.’
And you made your back like the ground,
like a street to be walked on.”

When The Shepherds Flee The Flock

"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
- Basil King

There is one Asante maxim that goes like, "When the royal refuses to fight, the slave flees (the battlefield)." The simple wisdom in this saying is that, as leaders, leading the charge is not an option. Once some level of boldness has imbued one with the desire to lead his/her people, I wonder what else keeps such one in the dark when despair rages on on like wildfire.

I have always looked upon leaders with profound admiration regardless of their age, country of origin whatsoever. They inspire as much as they irate. I am however grateful for God leading me to the greatest man that ever lived - Jesus. If there's one thing I know off-hand from Jesus, it is his unflinching commitment to the people he led. And history is rife with myriad names of ordinary men and women who put their lives on the frontline for the course of their people.

Jacobu is of age. Some twenty years ago since our catchment areas was accorded a constituency status, and some eight years of district assembly rule, much is left to be desired with the way and manner our so-called leaders run the peoples' affairs. It is almost like none knows what s/he is about - past and present included!

From the high stool to the first gentleman, the clergy to the political demagogue, the director to the Sunday-school teacher, the economic manager to the petty trader, rudiments of putting others first have been largely ignored or misapplied. What confront us today is the invaluable need to re-connect the brother next door to the heart of the sister going that way. Until that synergy is restored or created, sustained and kept running, no dream of a common-unity (community) can be made manifest.

To the contrary, our current political dispensation thrives much more on division than oneness. Democracy perpetuates disintegration so long as majority rule is upheld.
So what we now have in our hands are a bunch of disagreeing leaders who have pledged disjointed allegiance to bring the fold together. In honouring their pledge, interestingly, the divide is continually widened and the people lose focus on what unity is all about. Jacobu cares very little of its own internal affairs let alone the affairs of her neighbouring towns and villages.

I do not recall the last time our MP mounted the unity podium to talk Odotobri Constituency, I don't remember the last conference our DCE called on the way forward for Amansie Central district, can anyone remind me when s/he witnessed our chief pouring libation to our ancestors and our gods for the betterment of our beloved city on the hill?, when was the last congregation of the churches' so-called prayer warriors exalting the destiny of our land into the hands of the Most High?

Our youth is bereft with uncertainty, hopelessness and even anger seeing no clear future tabled today to correct our past and present. And some of us are even forbidden to speak our mind especially in an attempt to make plain the canker that are being played out there in the dark rooms of, most especially, our political leaders. Our old folks enjoy their dreamings; and our babies' cries reach the hearing of Mother Earth. But I shall not keep quiet. Not until I see our promised paradise restituted!

Behold and see the birds coming home with nothing but the ancient message - ARISE AND BE SHINE!