A New World Unfolding

A co-worker recently described a small incident which left her feeling uplifted for a long time afterwards and still radiated its effect as we spoke together. She had brought her shopping to her car using one of the shopping trolleys provided by the supermarket and, as she completed offloading it, a man passing by smiled and said kindly: “I’ll return your trolley for you.” She was so surprised that she almost forgot to express her gratitude but she realised how moved she was by that small impromptu act of kindness. As we talked we began to wonder how many “random acts of kindness” are happening all the time, all around the world, uplifting and expanding human hearts everywhere. The Teaching reminds us that:

Everyone can serve his neighbour, and everyone can give, even when there seems to be nothing to give. How glorious is that inexhaustible giving!” from Supermundane, sloka 477

How would it be to live in the grace of a world where giving is the basis of daily living? When we pause to think about it, our daily living relies on accepted modes of social connection and organisation, on a pattern of civilisation which is known, expected and shared by all. This pattern operates through the dynamic of its living structure until it no longer meets the needs of all in its purview.

Looking around our world at the moment as nations fragment and climate events uproot old patterns of living, it seems that almost every part of our globe is in some kind of upheaval and transition. In this upheaval different localised patterns of living and their inherent values meet one another and a range of reaction and response ensues. At the same time minorities, long-suppressed sub-cultures within the fabric of power and governance, are rising up to reveal all that was once hidden, misunderstood or disbelieved. The validity and credibility of the existing infrastructure of our civilisation is being challenged in so many ways.

While our minds may observe this and rationalise the past and the status quo, our hearts are beginning to realise that a new pattern of living which meets the needs of all can only be born through a response that flows from heart to heart, drawing all that embodies the one life of Earth into a new dance, a new rhythm of life. And this is beginning to unfold through our world. It is the heart-song of a new era.

We have reached the limits of a civilisation based largely on acquisition and accumulation, one in which need is overlooked by demand. Yet through its very fabric a whole new infrastructure is emerging to address the essential needs of life for billions of people, animals, plants and locales that have not been considered under the old dynamic. There is a progression from taking to giving, from competitive gain to life-sharing and the recognition that everything has valued place within the One Life of which we are each a radiatory aspect.

The universe is complete in its abundance which freely flows throughout. It distributes through us as we realise our oneness with it and our immersion in its sustaining currents. Just as the physical heart constantly receives and gives the life-bearing flow, so the knowing heart, centred in the sphere of the all-knowing Heart, sustains an inexhaustible stream of loving understanding and all that flows from it.

In its essence, the heart is an organ of higher action and giving; that is why every act of giving partakes of the nature of the heart. Every positive Teaching enjoins giving. Such an affirmation is truly practical, for without giving, the heart does not endure. Naturally, one has to understand giving in all its justice. Giving should not be understood as just contributing money or donating objects one no longer needs. True giving is of the spirit. Let every heart pour forth streams of spiritual gifts. Not without cause is it said that every beat of the heart is a smile, a tear, and gold. All life flows through the heart. The seeker should be able to give constant work to the heart. Nothing can refine the heart so perfectly as limitless spiritual giving. Usually spiritual giving is not valued, since anything invisible goes unappreciated. But the source of wealth, whether spiritual or material, is the heart. If only one could bring it into every situation where the heartbeat would be precious.” Heart 386.

As the spiral of the evolution of civilisation rises and expands into finer dimensions of clarity, knowing and life-sharing, much that was once in conflict finds its place in mutual relationship within oneness and participation in shared Being. And this is inspiring initiatives such as MADA (Make America Dinner Again), “a nationwide project that makes tablemates of Americans with clashing political ideologies”, bringing together people who might not have ordinarily dined together, family-style. More on this is in an online article at:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/make-america-dinner-again-mada-potluck-division-dialogue-1.4864141
The so-called feminine and masculine energies will also unfold to flow in rhythmic balance and freedom. The teaching clarifies:

So, too, does creativeness proceed according to the spiral, and each vital attraction or repulsion creates its own spiral. That is also why spirals of the Masculine and Feminine Principles proceed in such divergent directions. The Masculine Principle strives for seizure, regardless of the heart of man. The Masculine Principle makes bridges for its achievements by stepping upon hearts and heads. The issue is not brain power, for potentially the Feminine Principle contains the same fires. But the Feminine Principle is in need of freedom for heart expression. When it becomes customary to allow the Feminine Principle to live and develop its potentiality toward regeneration through its feeling of continuous giving, then will the Feminine Principle outdistance the Masculine in all directions.” Fiery World III 284.

Let us imagine a new world unfolding where giving replaces taking, and mankind realises the inexhaustible Life-giving of the universe flowing freely through our beautiful blue planet. Already the infrastructure for giving, for responding to wherever need calls, is forming and operating, and is only held in check where counter-forces seek control. The great humanitarian movements and aid agencies of the world are now the major means for distributing resources where need is most desperate. And where all else fails, ordinary citizens step in to help as hearts respond. A new civilisation is being born – even though it may yet be unsung and unacknowledged. It is flowing into being through the human heart whose subtle strings radiate out in an infinite weave of care, compassion and love. The technologies created by our passing era are being transformed from infrastructures for acquisition into distribution networks for giving.

 

When receiving and giving become a single flow, one stands at a point of synthesis through which all is accessible and time and space become complete. Then all that once seemed to be in opposed relation become integral elements of that balanced whole. In that point all is in a state of readiness – to receive and to give – to conduct the electric current of the universal Heart. Time and space are no longer constraints to be fought against but are means to direct the flow of the eternal river, the Water of Life – the Life-sharing grace that flows throughout all the Cosmos.

Constant readiness is a quality which needs to be developed. Readiness is not a nervous transport, it is not transitory tension. Readiness is harmony of the centers, always open to perception and reaction. The man who is filled with harmony is always receiving and always giving. His being is always strengthened by an uninterrupted current. There is no giving without receiving. To break such a current is the death of advancement. The all-knowing one will also be all-giving. Let us understand this truth broadly, not setting limits by earthly conditions.
A law exists according to which receiving must not be construed as an accrual of personal property. Realization of such a concept can take place in the heart. No false assurances will deceive the heart. Strengthening of psychic energy produces firmness.
Constant readiness is the product of a healthful psychic energy.” Aum 580.

Psychic energy, the life-sharing grace that permeates Cosmos, flows through hearts opened by gratitude and is thus given to the world. Whence comes the sound that stirs the heartstrings to sing in heart-song? The planetary Heart resounds with it. At its centre stands the Christ together with all Those Who embody and radiate compassion and loving understanding through the Heart of the World. As our human hearts open we come into that radiatory stream of love and life and become at-one with that glorious Centre of planetary Life-sharing.

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