Navigating "The Squeeze"
2/03

Today more than ever before, we are witnessing a crises of consciousness over the validity of war versus the power of humility, integrity, understanding and diplomacy. Simultaneously those who are spiritual seekers ponder the purpose and mission of their immortal souls.

The experience of pondering and subsequently creating and maintaining a new paradigm for world peace is a monumental undertaking, however, it can be a wondrous opportunity to exercise and experience ourselves as the powerful spiritual beings we are. A paradigm shift teaches us about working with chaos and things turned upside down. The old paradigm needs to be examined and shifted before a new paradigm can evolve-this is the lesson we need most to learn. Doing the same thing over and over because that is what we have always done or because it seems expedient doesn't mean 'it is right.' Through times of searching and integrity conflict, escaping is easy; holding onto one's convictions of integrity and spiritual truth is difficult. Instead of giving up your convictions that, war is never the answer, we need to learn how to navigate in a new way. It is there-in the rough spots-that we learn how to deal with the resentments, the frustrations and the humiliations that come with life and work. It is there that we will find balance.

Pema Chodron, an American Buddhist teacher calls this, "The squeeze." She defines it as "a point where we are not able to take it or leave it, where we are caught between a rock and a hard place, caught with both the up-lift of our ideas and the rawness of what's happening in front of our eyes..." and, that, she says, "is a very fruitful place."

There are many wonderful opportunities in life and work to experience this "fruitfulness." As humans, we are often caught between that "rock and a hard place." And when caught, we want; to run; to retaliate; to reach for something to fill the emptiness; to have an affair; to bail out; to do whatever it takes to have the feeling of fullness and comfort again. When we are challenged this is precisely the time we need to hold on. When our fears tell us; to escape; to retaliate; to take the easy way out; we need to check with our integrity and spiritual compass. This is where security can be found-in the fruit of our commitment to a higher purpose.

When one stays committed to one's truth, humility, integrity and spiritual compass a new paradigm, in the midst of things falling apart, comes into focus. The space occupied by fear and letting go of old thinking shifts and is replaced by the new paradigm.

For centuries we have engaged in war to solve divergent ideologies. In the face of truth-that war has never solved the issues-many people continue to cling to the belief that war will solve ideological conflicts. So, instead of clinging to old beliefs or jumping ship, we need to learn how to navigate into a new paradigm-through mountains of old thinking, through overzealous decisions, through red tape, and even through the scrutiny of our family, friends, and colleagues. And through it all, we will learn and will be inspired by the sacred fires of courage and conviction.

The time has come for humanity to soften the "artificial boundaries" that separates nations, communities and families from each other. By staying connected to truth, humility, integrity, and a spiritual compass we can open doors and minds to new ways of being together in a growing world community. We can create a culture of healing-and through healing the culture, we will heal ourselves.

And as we all shift our consciousness and heal we move out of "The Squeeze." Moving out of "The Squeeze" means we have changed our perceptions about it. We have realized "The Squeeze" is something we need to relax into. We need to breathe into it, understanding that from this breath, we will find new seeds of compassion-for ourselves and those around us and that ultimately, we will teach others that war is not an option.

World peace begins with each individual achieving a state of peace within oneself. We can begin to do that for ourselves by becoming aware of the "negative" influences in our lives and choosing consciously to eliminate or shift those influences.

Begin your consciousness shift by replacing your perception of a negative event that is occurring by saying the words "ONLY LOVE IS REAL." This phrase sends "positive" energy to the perceived negative event as you stand as an observer in non-judgment. It will also help shift the perception that for good to exist, evil must also exist (polarity theory)-the place where the "The Squeeze" exists. As your perception shifts, you will perceive less and less negativity. This process therefore acts as a barometer to measure your own sense of inner peace. The less negativity you perceive, the less you will find yourself needing to affirm "Only Love Is Real". We know "Only Love Is Real" because Love heals and creates; all other reactions and actions to life situations destroys.

Be aware that the news media has a profound impact on your perceptions. Do whatever you need to do to protect yourself from exposure to "negative" or fear-based stories in the media. This might mean giving up watching or listening to newscasts or reading newspapers, or it might mean that you filter your exposure to the news media and become very selective about what you read, listen to, or watch.

The media bombards us with negative reports of world events and therefore we get pulled into the negative energy. The media seldom reports "positive news" events. If we only have the media as our benchmark of what is happening on our planet, it would be easy to believe that only evil exists and that retaliation and pharmaceutical prescriptions solve every problem known to humans. The truth is; the reports of so-called negative occurrences that permeate newscasts are in most cases isolated incidences. Most of what happens on this planet falls into the "good news" arena, but positive news is not reported as the lead story, because it doesn't sell newspapers or advertising for newscasts. "Good news" stories are used for fillers rather than the "lead story." We have become conditioned to want to hear about the horror stories that the media has become so good at reporting. This conditioning is so insidious many people become addicted to the adrenaline rush created by the sensationalism. The act of bringing your awareness to the negativity that permeates the news media will help shift your consciousness and create a new paradigm.

If a large number of people (critical mass) stopped exposing themselves to the "negative energy" generated by the news media and stayed focused on "ONLY LOVE IS REAL" whenever exposed to a report which reinforces the negative paradigm, we could shift the consciousness of the planet to a perception that "ONLY LOVE IS REAL." This would be a giant step toward achieving a state of peace.

The following prayer is the foundation for taking your consciousness shift to the next level.

"Mother-Father God, we ask that all our elected representatives, appointed officials and business and world leaders be surrounded with and protected by Your Light. We ask that their every thought, word and action come from their Higher Selves and serve the highest good for our country and the world. Acknowledging our oneness with each other and with all creation, we ask this in Your Name. And so it is." --Carol Hansen Grey ###

-Dorothy M. Neddermeyer