The power of inner truth

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The end of one millennium and beginning of another is an exciting, fast-paced era when everyone is moving faster, getting more and more done each day. Technology is advancing at lightening speeds and our understanding of science is outstripping our ethical models. We are certainly 'civilised' if we choose to measure ourselves in a technological light. But at what expense?

We all know about the ozone layer, global warming, acid rain and vanishing frogs. We are witnessing wars all over the planet for a variety of reasons - religious, socio-economic, territorial - even propagated by gun merchants. And now school children are killing one another. It's enough to make us want to scream "Get me out of here!"

But looking at life from another perspective, what is also going on? Slowly but surely, large companies are incorporating environmental issues into their strategic plans. Schools are educating our children-soon-to-be-the-caretaker-adults as to human responsibility for our place in the world's ecosystem. And after the horrific scenes of bloodshed in the schools recently, governments are being forced to re-address their policies on gun control.

When I was a child of 8 years, I had a vision that I just accepted at the time and filed away, along with many other visions and fantasies I accepted as a natural part of my world. The vision was to stay in my unconscious mind until some years ago when I began to awaken to my own potential. During that time, it resurfaced as a rather enlightening memory and one which has indirectly inspired this web site. The vision was this...

In my mind I was shown three snapshot aspects of a developing humanity, and each one ran from left to right along a timeline.

I saw this person being born, growing through childhood, adolescence, adulthood and then into the senior years until dying at an old age. This human started as a 'blank' slate, curious, learning, seeking information, looking within and becoming wiser with age.

This picture began with an ape-man, becoming Neanderthal, going through the Stone and Iron Ages, progressing right through the Middle Ages to the Industrial Age, to the Information and Space Age where we are now and then far beyond, becoming competent and wise, not just technologically, but also with compassion for all humans and other beings on the planet. These wise beings were accepted into a universal family, as our descendants interacted with other wise beings from planets beyond our solar system.

It began with a tiny spark of life emerging from the Universal Life-force Energy. This spark dipped in and out of different lives and lifetimes. It experienced itself through the eyes and emotions of men, women and children through all walks of life, poor and rich, ignorant and sagacious, from ape-man to Universal human. And with every lifetime, this bright spark grew in intensity and size, becoming more loving, more knowing and more joyful, more vibrant and more complete. This timeline, along with the second, was not restricted by the span of one life. Nor was it restricted by time or space. This timeline put the other two into perspective.

When I was an eight year old girl, I just accepted this without question. Later, as an adult, I recalled it with the tingling excitement of someone who recognises a glimpse of a Universal Truth. That vision was so clear that I can view it instantly today. Today, it speaks to me of evolution, of our incredible ability as individuals, as souls and as a united humanity to grow beyond the limitations that have held us back up until now. It speaks of greatness and adventure - the qualities and experiences only to be found by stepping forward in humility, joining hands with each other and with our true essence. To me it shows our true potential if we accept our birthright as divine humans. Humans who are one with the Godforce and connected to each other and all of creation by this loving, wise, joy-filled energy.

If we look at our lives with our hearts, as well as our heads and are discerning rather than judging, we will be more easily able to settle our differences and find a life of peace. If we give, rather than take, we will find the abundance that is always present. If we come from our inner truth, rather than doing what we think others would have us do, then we become truly happy and leave blame behind us.

That's fine in theory and all very luvvy-duvvy, I hear you say. But this sounds more like something that's pie-in-the-sky, than a practical technique for today's life. Who's going to help us get the bills paid, lose those few kilos, or get that job promotion if we've all got our heads stuck in the stars? It's easy to talk about going beyond our troubles, our judgements and our differences. How can we accept the good and bad in everyone and everything? I'm only a mere mortal you know. You talk about inner truth. So how is that supposed to help me?

It takes guts to open up to the truth - within our hearts first. And it takes more guts to level with someone who we've been less than honest with. But if that is what our little inner voice tells us is the best way to achieve a good night's sleep, then that's what must be done. And that is one of our greatest challenges - individually and collectively. To accept our vulnerabilities and heartaches and yet walk in true greatness and joy. To first say to ourselves, yes, I'm afraid that if I give that person an inch (centimetre), they'll take a mile (kilometre or two) and I'll lose this long battle I've been having with them. And secondly, to look at the fear square in the face then take the vulnerable part of ourselves by the hand and go ahead and take the plunge.

It's amazing what can be achieved actually. I've found that every time I've faced a fear and gone beyond it - acted from what my heart has told me to do rather than from the fear, I've always been amazingly surprised with the result.

While there is a lot of violence and unhappiness manifesting around the globe at this time, I believe this is also a time where each one of us can find real balance and true inner power if we so choose. Sometimes we get caught up in an impasse, thinking we have to sort out the whole world's problems and feeling totally overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. But we don't have to solve everyone else's problems. We don't have to solve anyone else's problems in fact. Just our own.

By simply addressing our own challenges face on, by looking at our demons right in the eye, pulling tongues at them and striding on past them, we overcome them. It's only when we run from them that our fears loom up and bite us hard on the bum.

The path to happiness, peace, love and abundance is a challenging path. There's no arguing about that. It's not for wimps. And it's not just about sitting around cross-legged, breathing in the latest incense and ohming the latest mantra. Although, if that helps get you centred and in touch with your inner truth then go for it. No, you're not faced with a path that just waltzes through the prettiest woodlands. This is a path that traverses the scariest mountain peaks and smelliest underground caverns. It is a path that takes awareness, courage and self-honesty. But ultimately, it is the path that will set you and me (individually and collectively) free.

Copyright © 2006 Aannsha Jones