The Century of Life

The Century of Death or The Century of Life?

As I sit watching one of the Norton Lectures by Leonard Bernstein from the 1973-6, I hear him refer to the 20th Century as 'The century of death', with the composer Gustav Mahler as the prophet, in musical form.

This is interesting. I too remember feeling this as we studied the First and Second World Wars in High School, and later, the Cold War. Never before have so many been lost for so few?

Yet now, it no longer resonates with me. Interestingly, someone (a duke?), has recently called for a reform in the way that we teach history in schools. He feels that we should no longer teach the Second World War as it gives pupils a negative view of Germany. I partly agree - it certainly taught me a fear of Germany which I have actively had to heal, even though we had counterbalancing language and culture lessons (albeit only up to Year 9 -aged 14), I later tried to learn German again at university, and I have spent years singing German-language, largely Austrian classical repertoire.  I have tried quite a lot over the years to mentally, intellectually and spiritually make peace with Germany in my heart.

Looking back, I now feel that the 20th Century was not only the century of death, but also, the century of life. Of light. The century in which we in the West, and hopefully elsewhere in the world too, began to realise that the best way to live is to love and understand one another on a global level, working towards peace, harmony and unity - Elysium. Brother and sisterhood.

And I think that we did very well.

Ok, we have teething problems.
We probably always will.

But I honestly think the world is a better place now, as a whole, than it ever has been.

I think we are learning through our conflict in the Middle East and in Afghanistan that we can intervene in order to create peace and better nations and, gradually, I think we will work out a method that involves the least suffering and fewest lives lost that are possible. I truly believe that, if we haven't done it already.

We are truly in a special time and communication developments are a massive key to all this - avaaz.org, 38 degrees, HM Petitions, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, email, forums, all serve to create a sense of unity. Of togetherness. Of peaceful and loving communication. Of questioning authority peacefully, communicating with those we never dared to communicate with to ask a simple question - how? why? To bring love, light and blessing worldwide.

I am so grateful for the true light bringers in our world - all of us can and are! Including who have no spiritual practice. Including 'ordinary people'. We are all moved naturally, from the seat of our souls, to create justice, world peace, love and harmony.

Have compassion for those who are struggling with poverty, anger, violence and depression. We can help them! Through love, professional services, peaceful yet open communication, support and community. Do not leave anyone behind in this ascension! There is no need to. It is possible to help each other and of course, help ourselves! Through helping ourselves, we truly are able to help others.

In the public eye, I give thanks to the work of Barack Obama, the armies who are trying their best to create world peace in their own way, to the Royal Family in the UK who really try to make a holistic difference, in particular HRH Prince Charles and HM the Queen. I give thanks to Tony Blair and to David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown for trying their best in these challenging times.

I give thanks to the public, for celebrities for finally overthrowing and challenging the power that really needed to be questioned and put to a stop - the bullying power of the media. (Note that I do not direct this at individuals - everyone deserves forgiveness, teaching and understanding, a second chance.)

I give thanks to all the other wonderful spiritual teachers, leaders and healers out there from all faiths, non-faiths and backgrounds, in the public eye and out of it.

I give thanks to those who are working towards a holistic way of thinking - pushing the boundaries of possibility through interdisciplinary research, thinking and teaching, changing the way we work and live our lives!

Soon, more and more men may choose a part time job so they can nurse their babies! Career women will realise that a little mothering is ok, and structures will continue to become flexible enough for parents to really nurture themselves, their children, and their careers.

I pray that in developing countries and in Islam, women will be given increasing equality this century. An equal footing and equal rights. There is so much work to be done in this area.

As I sign out, I am so grateful that we are living in such a wonderful time! With so much potential for change and transformation!

I really feel that we're at the dawn of a new age! I really feel that millennium feeling once again! Even though, according to our western maths system, it's not, I really feel that the millennium is upon us! I feel at the gateway of a new era, a new dimension! Perhaps the Mayan calendar really has a rightness here in the highest, most positive sense!

Blessed be you all, love light and happiness shine upon you today and in 2012, and in this wonderful New Age xxxxx