Paradise Lost / Paradise Regained
Looking back as long as some of us do, the time-scale may seem disheartening, but we must remember that time has no meaning beyond our dimension. So, in my own experience, I see the start of the climb in the various spiritual ‘revolutions’ of the 1950s, and the movements which began to change the whole climate of ‘religion’. (I myself was deeply involved in all this). Then, in wider terms, the upward trend moved into the 1960s, and no one should scorn the positive aspects of ‘flower power’ etc. A huge breakthrough occurred concurrently with all this, through the publication of Teilhard de Chardin’s works by his executors, after his death freed them from the jurisdiction of the R.C. authorities. His concept of the oneness of the Whole had been gestating for many years and its dissemination fitted most aptly with the ‘grass-roots’ revolution of the 60s. When the so called ‘new age’ concepts and teachings began to proliferate, the way was open for many to explore ideas of ‘spirituality’ as distinct from ‘religion’.
In my own experience, Paul Solomon, the dynamic and charismatic American teacher, was the inspiration for the late 70s and 80s, when the process of raising the collective consciousness had a huge upsurge which is still continuing. Since that time, events on the world stage have had the stamp of the miraculous, - the destruction of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of communism in the U.S.S.R., the end of apartheid in South Africa and the election of Nelson Mandela as the first native African President.
What is happening now, in our own poor country among others, is the confrontation with our own debased standards and what we have been responsible for in the destruction of the Earth and her creatures. At the same time, a growing awareness of the monstrous and evil power of the huge multi-nationals, above all the chemical and arms multis, - which are unchecked greed and ruthlessness personified. This is a challenge we have to face and overcome. We must remember, as we face it, the other miracles we have witnessed and trust in our Fountain concept, knowing that there is a pattern of enlightenment slowly but surely taking place, - homo amans is a reality, and as each of us comes nearer to the state of unconditional love, so to does the Whole.
Peggy Bunt.
http://www.fountain-international.org/contributions/index.htm
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