Elitism as the catalyst to self growth.
Embracing the shadows of humanity 

My process of healing, self growth and integration is still happening; but over the years there have been some specific catalysts that contributed to significantly shifting my reality. One of the most foundational occurences that changed how I related to the world happened early on in my first year of college. This catalayst had both a personal and global connection in cracking open my paradigm at the time. Two weeks into my freshman year of college I lost my brother in 9/11. The tragedy shocked my consciousness as this catastrophe landed at my family’s door. I became depressed, isolated and self-destructive. I was four hours upstate from NYC, away from my family and having to face feelings on my own that I had no tools for resolving at the time. Half way through the year I shifted my concentration to journalism. At first I didn’t know why, but in reflection, I realize that I was subconsciously in a pursuit of reconciling with an unfathomable tragedy. Like many others directly affected by 9/11, the psycho-spiritual shockwave became a pathway for spiritual awakening. Concentrating my major within communications to journalism was the only avenue I had at the time that could serve a burning desire to discover truth. Communications and journalism allowed me to create a world view that was not limited to one lense, or one paradigm; for example just political, or just economic, or just cultural. It allowed me to see the combination of influences and how these parts connected. Historical, Psychological, Cultural, Economic, Political, Sociological, and Technological. From my courses, research and from my college professors, over the next three years I ended up receiving a scholarly understanding on the reality of Elitism. I will share Wikipedia’s definition of the term Elitism in this context:

 

Alternatively, the term elitism may be used to describe a situation in which power is concentrated in the hands of a limited number of people.,, Elite theory is the sociological or political science analysis of elite influence in society.

Now many consider the concept of Elitism as a branch of modern conspiracy theory. The idea that the world is “run” by a select few elite families that have complete influence over Governments, mass-media, corporations and can create wars with the wave of their hand is all to easily dismissed. For many it sounds “far out” or “too easy and explanation for the way things are”, and like many conspiracy theories it is thrown out before scholarly research and personal exploration of the topic is further developed.

There is overwhelming evidence that illuminates the role of elitism in shaping our World Views, influencing US society, World Markets, Wars and Mass Media. The focus of this article is not to present all the research on elitism, for that would require a whole separate article. Readers are encouraged to do their own research on the subject and descern for themselves whether Elitism is real. That being said, lets take it all with a grain of salt and explore a bit shall we?

If we step away from the theory of Elitism for a moment and just break down our global situation at the moment, we can come to understand that there are two types of choices being made at this time, both individually and collectively. There is either the choice to Nurture or the choice to exploit humanity and nature.  There are belief systems and values in place that support one of those two choices. Let’s examine our contemporary society and how it is formed by the combination of multiple parts. If we are willing to explore Elitism then we can see how it manifests in the choices that seek to influence us. I feel that the majority of these choices have been made, and are being made from a place of exploitation and not of nurturing. There is a pattern of corrupt officials, energy companies and mass media conglomerates that actively demonstrate complete disregard for human rights and exploit their fellow man and nature. These collective institutions disregard the true well being of all that dwell on this planet. At one point their choices may not have affected the web of life so powerfully. At one point in time the commitments they were making would not enter our personal sphere, but that is no longer the case. Many of the educated know what this exploitation looks like and how it manifests. Yet why are we not fully acknowledging it as a society? Why isn’t there a concerted effort to illuminate that these exploitative choices are not helping us anymore and are having more drastic consequences in our time.

If we were to acknowledge the exploitative choices and acknowledge elitism as a reality, it means that WE would have to change. The American dream is a comfortable place to live. To live in our own separate homes, with our separate lives, with a government that cares for its people, with our sports teams, and with our substances that keep us numb and disconnected. This is comfortable, but this is not qualitative living. One would have to do research this and explore for themselves, what is “qualitative” living. For me quality living is based on a combination of basic needs being met coupled with feelings of connection, joy, wonder, fulfillment and inspiration. The reality is that we ARE CONNECTED. The coffee you drink and the sugar you put into it in the morning does just come from Starbucks and Domino. It came from a farmer. It came from someone who chopped that sugar cane. Do you know how much money migrant workers make, chopping sugar cane? 2$ a day for a full work day. This is modern slavery. We don’t think about that when we rush to our desk job. It simply hasn’t been introduced to our reality, yet does that mean it does not exist?

The reason we look away is because if we were to embrace the reality of elitism, then we would have to choose to take responsibility for ourselves or ignore it. The potential changes of taking responsibility can feel like a losing a security blanket or can feel like death for the ego. Healing this is like leaving a co-dependant relationship. We have a completely un-healthy and co-dependent relationship with our governments and society. There is a pact: you take care of me, keep me comfortable and I won’t do my inner work and become a conscious decision maker. Keep me safe. Keep me from feeling my feelings, I can’t bare it. At a core level, this is what prevents us from acknowledging elitism.

To know that there is mass-scale exploitation and to fully see it can be earth shattering. To realize that so much of the history that we were taught in school was distorted to make us, the US the good guys and others, the Bad guys, is complete bullshit. I mean this stuff is woven into the fabric of our national identity. Depending on how identified you are with the idealism and cultural conditioning from these societal norms will dictate how devastating this information is or isn’t. I know plenty of friends who had to grieve their old way of relating to the world. For many when they discover the exploitation that is happening world-wide they feel helpless and powerless. For others when they come to know how deeply exploitative the Elites are, they feel betrayed and furious. Because many of us are outraged by this exploitation, many of us feel righteous; we come to feel an “US and Them mentality”. We feel the need to fight back “against the machine” to bring the world back into harmony. Consider this when dealing with the Paradigm of Elitism: Stepping out of viewing these families as the SOLE REASON why things are the way they are. The reality is, that there are multiple parts to the way things function; intricate gears that turn together. The reality is, is that there are individual lives amongst the various choices and commitments made to keep our system in order. It is EASIER to BLAME any one group of people than to take full responsibility for ourselves. This is the flaw but also the opportunity in viewing elitism.

We have trouble looking at the truth of the situation because it’s really glimpsing the collective wounding and the mirror of our own humanity. If I look outside of myself and see this shadow of humanity; the destructive side, the exploitative side, the controlling side and the righteous entitled side, then I have to begin resolving the same things internally. If wounding has led us to make unhealthy choices, exploitative choices, manipulative choices, choices based on fear, passed on from generation to generation, then it would be up to us to make a new choice now. We would have to face our own shadows by acknowledging the shadow that exists collectively. In acknowledging the existence of Elitism we have to directly look at ourselves. Blaming Elites, is not enough, WE have to change. We have to ask “how am I contributing to this”?

Are they wrong? No, “They” are not “wrong” in the sense that we deem it. They are simply committed to their reality and it is rooted in fear and control. They are desperately working all the time. There is no peace in global domination. Only when the whole world is controlled and dominated can they be at ease, and this will never happen. Those with selfish motives inevitably suffer at a deep spiritual level. How can we find compassion for them? We have to reach deep into ourselves and learn to love our own shadow. Once we can love our own shadow, we can love this shadow. For they are simply more committed to survival than perhaps we are. Perhaps those that can see it are too afraid to step into their life. I would say to you that it is not your job to save the planet. Your responsibility now is to live your life with love and passion from your soul. Do your inner work. Create peace within and we will rise from all corners of the planet. Claiming ourselves amidst a collective culture committed to avoidance of reality, short-term gratification and exploitation, what we call a dying world. We have the potential to birth a new one, organically without over reacting but simply by following the easeful guidance of unconditional love within our own soul’s plan. You have to dig deep and trust. Let go of saving the world through some task that perpetuates a sort of procrastination and discontent and get ready to really start saving yourself.

Lets take it all as an opportunity to discover who and what we truly are, and what we want to create. That times ARE changing and the system as we know it is failing because of it. Yet this inevitable “failure” may very well lead to the success of humanity, of individual empowerment, abundance and harmony. We have to come to a bottom line decision for ourselves: either we face the truth and begin to resolve our individual wounding or we cling to an old way of living, a way that is dependent on death and exploitation. We can either continue to partake in the illusory safety of a system dependent on corruption, mass manipulation, war, scarcity, murder, terrorism, lies, disconnection, poisonous food, water, and the dumming down of our consciousness or we begin to start resolving our own wounding, patterns and begin to create a society that is based on ideals of nurturing and inter-connectedness.

If we claim ourselves amidst the collective wounding of the planet that so many avoid at all costs, we will reap the benefits. If we learn to love our own shadow and integrate it then we can access the inherent love and fulfillment of our soul. We would no longer have to hide from the mirror of the world, because we are willing to face and take responsibility for ourselves. We would be able to transcend the illusory perceived threats of other human beings and begin to create a world based on soul and not the survival threat of a purely physical existence. This new society would support the growth and expansion of consciousness. We could enter a golden era of a man living in harmony and in balance. Between technology and nature, science and religion, spirit and matter, man and woman. A structure that supports life and is rooted in universal laws focused on qualitative living for all. We could enter into a time of enhanced, inspired, connected, joyful, creative and wonder-filled experiences. 

Look back at your life thus far.
What do you see? In all that change, what has remained?
What has been consistently witnessing life? In order for movement to been seen, something must be STILL; unchanging. Change is the nature that thrives in this reality. Nothing can stagnate. Only that which is pervading resides in the un-manifest within and around. Yet there is a bridge. WE ARE THAT BRIDGE. The un-manifest reaches out through form in the eyes of another, in the blossoming of every flower, in the wonder of creation. And in this form, in this relationship we are asked to grow, to learn, to climb and to expand. It is in relationship that awareness can see itself! We are not separate.

I ask you now. In this time of great change to look around you. Look at the people, the stores, the trees, all of it. Ask yourself what reality you would like to create. We are in a waking dream. We are dreaming reality right now. Our subjective, inner mind is projected out onto the world. We have been given an amazing opportunity to touch that which moves from the inside out. This inner reality is always available. That unchanging, witnessing presence inside us is what raises awareness, for everything is on its backdrop, on its stage. The movement of the un-manifest into manifest. The taste of the invisible on the landscape of the known.

Many of you are breaking the patterns. The deep seeded patterns that have been handed down from generation to generation. This Simultaneously coupled with the emergence of ancient systems of knowledge and wisdom sciences over a world wide web -or- a collective planetary culture. I call this the New Renaissance. This choice to end the cycle of abuse, of ignorance, of excessive consumption and disregard for life. More and more, we are making this choice. To paraphrase OSHO, Essentially we do not need to DESTROY the old. The old is crumbling in its own organic way. The structure as WE know it is dying. SO its not about revolution anymore. Its about CREATION. WE create something sooo new, that the old is no longer an option. I feel this deeply in my soul. We must rebel against our own conditioning. The mechanistic programing that has created automatic responses to life. That has sucked the spontaneity out of this cosmic dance. This fear of death, avoidance of pain and clinging to comfort needs to be confronted, not outside but within. This choice to create something new takes so much courage as we leave old paradigms of dogma, false power and oppression.

The New Renaissance is now! Now is the time. BECOME the change. Leave dogma behind and enter into the Gnosis of direct experience. Experience your inner-unchanging-deathless self. Find that inner creativity. Find the courage of your heart and the power of love. The earth needs us now. We are a planetary culture now. What we do locally effects the web of life. Now is the time to strengthen our bond, our communities. To put aside our egos in the hope to create something that the world has not seen yet.

We are the FLOWERS of the 60's. They planted the seeds, Now we are blossoming. As the hopi prophecy has stated "WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR". We are asked to revisit these ideals of love, peace and exploration and INTEGRATE them in a mature way. We are being asked to re-visit these ancient wisdom sciences such as YOGA or Shamanism and integrate them IN Relationship, in this Urban world.

What an exciting time to be alive.

AHO!
OM SHANTIH
~Alokananda