by Nancy Young
At age four, with considerable presence, I identified myself as living at 5115 Cass Street with Mommy and Daddy, my brother, Lecky, and our two dogs, Bishop and Bicker. My world was my family. During my first two years at college in California, I proudly identified myself as a Nebraskan, conjuring up an image of groundedness sometimes missing on the California scene. Studying overseas, the boundaries of my world began to crack open. Even when I identified myself as an American, it felt not quite right, too limited. My assumptions about life, the “way things are,” broke open wandering the Italian hillsides, Yugoslavian mosques and seaside, and the Swedish lake district. I discovered that the commonalities between peoples throughout the world far exceed the differences. And, the sphere to which I extended my caring, my concern expanded once more.
When attending The Avatar Master Course in Orlando, I was delighted to discover what an international organization Avatar is. I made several friends from outside the United States. I did not expect, however, the degree of change in my perspective that was to come as I continued my training for delivering Avatar. While revisiting the “Exploring Definition” exercise in preparation for co-delivering a ReSurfacing course in February, I noticed that I had shifted from identifying myself as being “American” to being a “world citizen.” Yet I now realize that this new identity and my internalization of Avatar’s goal of aligning belief systems throughout the world was mostly in my head and somewhat superficial. We can go for years thinking something is true, yet never really feeling it, never having it resonate in our bodies, and therefore never really living it. My discouragement about the impact one person can have on eliminating conflict in the world, kept me from really feeling and acting on my commitment to Avatar’s mission. This all changed for me in July at the Masters Professional Course in Germany when once again my self-imposed boundaries cracked open.
After some light-hearted skits that launched “showtime” at The Professional Course, twelve Korean Masters took the stage. They drew a line down the middle of the floor. Six moved to one side of the line, six to the other. Signs went up: “North Korea,” “South Korea.” Fighting began, at first matching the playful tone of the earlier skits. Before long, the battle became more aggressive, more in earnest. As the reality of war filled the stage, a heavy silence filled the room. No one missed that what was being depicted was very real.
After a few minutes, one man from the South Korean side was drawn away from the fighting to something that seemed to have a deeper calling. It soon was clear that he had become an Avatar and then a Master. Then, one of his countrymen was attracted to something about him. He too became an Avatar and then a Master. One by one, those in the South were drawn to the presence embodied by the Masters until they all were aligned with each other, with Peace. For a few poignant, almost comical moments, the North Koreans raged on in battle, unaware that there was no one fighting on the other side. There was no longer an enemy opposing them.
Before long, one North Korean disengaged from the one-sided drama long enough to notice that it was quiet on the other side. Curiosity drew him closer. A foot and then a head stretched over the line. With amazement he discovered six South Koreans, arm in arm, serenely appreciating him, welcoming him. Compelled by the presence before him and by his own inner knowing, he crossed the line. He, too, became an Avatar and a Master and then returned to invite his brothers and sisters to drop their weapons and join in another way, the way of Peace. One by one the North Koreans became Avatars until all on stage were One.
Tears flowed freely throughout the room. How profoundly the vision of Star’s Edge was enacted in a few minutes’ time by those most intimate with threat of what will happen if we don’t act. The power of each person transforming themselves and then inviting one other person to follow—that’s all it took. This realization resonated in my body in a way I won’t forget. My commitment to our shared vision is now embodied and complete.
How grateful I am to my new-found Korean friends for breaking through my denial and shifting me from discouragement to a full commitment to our shared vision in the world. And, how grateful I am to Harry and Star’s Edge for creating ongoing opportunities for global community, learning, and healing. As for action: December in Belfast; Korea in the works. How far am I willing to expand with this citizenship question? Well, I understand that they have found life on Mars.
One by one leads to ONE!Nancy Young, San Francisco, California
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