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Introduction
The
below summary of the empowering essay Shifting Paradigms explores
a key shift that is occurring in our lives and world. In the
old hierarchical paradigm, we tended to look to those above
us in the hierarchies of our world for answers to life's deepest
questions. In the newly emerging paradigm, a growing number
of us are choosing to focus more on looking for wisdom and
understanding within ourselves.
Shifting Paradigms describes our changing world from a broader,
deeper perspective than I have ever seen. Though the words
may not touch everyone the way they did me, I invite you to
see if there aren't a few pearls of wisdom below that might
move and inspire you. I know from a place deep within that
both individually and collectively, we are indeed shifting
paradigms towards a life and world filled with ever deeper
wisdom and integration. I share this essay wishing for you
much inspiration and empowerment in all aspects of your life.
May the times ahead for all of us be filled with an abundance
of hope, meaning, and joy.
With
best wishes,
Fred Burks
Former
language interpreter for Presidents Bush and Clinton
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Shifting
Paradigms is also available at http://www.WantToKnowinfo/divinewisdomunderstanding
The
wisdom and understanding of our own inner essence is a beacon that
draws us inward toward ever deeper connection with the Divine. Yet
rather than
look for divine wisdom within, most people have long preferred to
look outward, thus maintaining a dependence upon a vast hierarchy
that stretches between the individual and the Divine. In all our
wanderings away from the Divine, humankind has obscured its most
compelling features through a persistent belief in limitations defined
by the hierarchical structure of our world.
The Divine dances outside of the confines of any hierarchical structures.
It is complete within itself, and has a singular purpose of demonstrating
the collective potential of all life within the universe. It is
the archetype of perfection. It is the standard bearer of each soul's
innate design and ultimate destiny. The essence of the Divine is
so far beyond mental conception that humanity's tendency is to resort
to the limiting language of hierarchical belief systems to define
it.
| The
Hierarchical Paradigm: Searching for Connection and Wholeness |
When
people are unaware of their inner wisdom and wholeness, they search
for
order and security outside themselves. Uncertain of their place
within the
hierarchical order of the world, they tend to define themselves
based upon
their insecurities. Individuals thus become only pieces of their
wholeness and like shards of glass from a beautiful vase, they bear
little resemblance to their aggregate beauty. Within the hierarchy,
many in high positions of power have taken advantage of our collective
insecurities in attempting to guide the development of all humankind.
They have obscured the direct connection between the individual
and the Divine through a variety of means designed to intercede
between our inner essence and our divine source. Each individual
can come to know themselves to be free of all forms of hierarchical
control. This is not to imply that we should not trust others or
join together in bonds of friendship and community. It is simply
a reminder that relative truth is constantly shifting in the hands
of those who desire to control. And even when the motive for their
controlling behaviors may be of good will, it is still a form of
control. When the revealers of "truth" within the hierarchy
withhold and suppress information, they are usually positioned to
acquire and maintain power rather than disseminating empowerment
to all.
The desire for connection and wholeness is a fuel that drives us
to seek out
and explore the hierarchical paradigm. This inner longing provides
us with the motivation to seek help and guidance from a specific
group within the hierarchy, and in so doing, cultivate a sense of
belonging and connection.
Furthermore, the hierarchical paradigm is a stage whereby we develop
a sense of connection to some grand, encompassing vision. This is
why the hierarchy nurtures prophets who point toward a greater vision.
Spiritual leaders are able to peer deeply beneath the surface reality
of life and experience how intricately connected every life form
is, and how the composite of all life is intelligent far beyond
measure. These visionary leaders can thus interpret reality through
their personal abilities to perceive and express life's dimensional
depth and limitless intelligence. Yet no one is able to articulate
life's full dimensional depth and breadth with the tools of language.
They can only, at best, describe their interpretation or their impressions.
In actuality, all of us are able to peer beneath the surface reality
of life and perceive a unique vision of the universe. We require
only time and intention to develop our own interpretations. And
this is precisely what many great spiritual leaders have taught.
Life's deeper essence is not an absolute to be experienced by the
chosen few, but an evolving, dynamic intelligence that wears as
many faces as there are life forms. No group or people has the exclusive
portal into the universe by which the Divine expresses itself in
all its majesty. The portal is open and available to all because
the Divine is within all things.
Those who are recognized as great prophets each produced a vision
of the
universe beyond what was currently defined by the hierarchy. Because
their
interpretations were articulated with authority and depth of insight,
they
became a target of debate among various groups in the hierarchy.
This debate
then created a polarity of belief. A sympathetic constituency emerged
to
defend and embellish their leader's interpretation, while established
groups held it in contempt of previously held beliefs. Invariably,
the leader's vision became confined and shaped into dogma by followers
who desired to create a religion or sect. Thus, this infusion of
fresh insight quietly receded into the hands of the hierarchy, where
its deeper meaning was obscured by the very fact that it was incorporated
into a massive structure that both protected and promoted it.
| The
Transformation Paradigm: Inner Wisdom and Understanding |
A
new paradigm is emerging that promotes a clear connection of individual
consciousness to the compelling features of the Divine without the
intervention of a hierarchy. This is when the fables and myths of
history step into the light and become known as they were originally
intended. This is the time when language will be transformed into
a new form of communication that breaks down all barriers of control.
Personal transformation, through the awakening of inner wisdom and
understanding, is the pathway into wholeness.
The transformation paradigm is initiated simply by the recognition
that rather than the dependency-inducing ways of the hierarchical
paradigm, there are accelerated, independent pathways that bypass
the hierarchy and lead to
self-mastery. These new pathways lead to the divine wisdom and understanding
that is present within all of us. This wisdom can be accessed through
the practice of three principles of transformation: seeing the Divine
in all, nurturance of life, and gratitude. The application of these
life principles
disengages individuals from the controlling elements of the hierarchy,
thus
initiating the transformation experience.
As there are relative truths, there are relative freedoms. As individuals
evolve through the hierarchical process, an ever-increasing sense
of freedom
is gained, yet external forces continue to exert control through
limiting language and confining belief systems. These controlling
influences lead to continued reliance upon the hierarchy as it unceasingly
attempts to impose a sense of inequality between us. The underlying
equation of the hierarchical paradigm is: individual + hierarchy
= God connection. In the case of personal transformation it is:
individual + inner wisdom and understanding = divine equality with
all.
| The
Synthesis Paradigm: Integration |
For
those who feel called, the time has come to integrate the dominant
paradigm of the hierarchy with the expanding transformation paradigm.
This
integration occurs naturally once we have fully explored the two
paradigms
and develop a synthesis paradigm whereby transformation is attained
by
searching for connection and wholeness through our own inner wisdom
and
understanding. It is this combination of release from dependency
on the
hierarchy and transformation from within that initiates the synthesis
paradigm.
Once we take responsibility for our own transformation and integration,
it
does not mean that the hierarchy is to be shunned or avoided. The
hierarchy
is quite benign as a manipulative force and merely represents one
important
stage in the journey toward wholeness. What is being set in motion
now is
the initial preparation for these paradigm shifts. More specifically,
these paradigms will be simultaneously played out over the coming
years. As always it will be the choice of each one of us as to which
paradigm we embrace in
our journey.
All of the highest imaginings of humanity are yet unaware of our
deepest
foundation. We have sought the upper reaches of the building, yet
remain
unaware of the foundation's design. It is here, at the very core
of existence that the Divine is bursting forth with its creative
energy while simultaneously reintegrating with its invitation to
wholeness. It is here that equality is realized, not in the lofty
places of relative truth lodged in the hierarchy, but rather in
the deepest part of the foundational plan of life's original source
and ultimate destiny. The origin and destiny of existence is the
tone of equality in life. Listen for this tone-this frequency of
vibration-and follow it back into the very foundation from whence
all things arise and return.
Consider these words as symbols only. Feel the truth that stands
behind
these words, and tap into this empowering energy force that reaches
out for
you. Know it as a tone or vibration-a resonance that waits for you
around
every corner in which your life will turn. It is a beacon of the
Divine gathering itself into the form of language in order to usher
you to a place from which you can experience the formless tone of
equality-the bypass of limitation. It is the primal language of
our divine source that bestows to you the freedom to generate your
own deepest beauty in the expression of your highest truth.
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this
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