by Linda Decker
Surely the way to prevent past atrocities from recurring is to keep them constantly in view of the collective consciousness. Isn’t it? Build museums, create movies and television specials, write books, give speeches reminding ourselves of the hateful acts that boil unmercifully in our memories—that’ll cut evil off at the pass. Won’t it? The intention to end persecution is very clear, but the tools currently in use might not be the most effective in bringing about that result.
After decades of pursuing this course of action, the wolf is still perilously close to the back door. Hate groups are springing up everywhere like poisonous mushrooms. Perhaps there is something about the collective consciousness that we have not understood correctly. Advertisers and propagandists have long abused and exploited the phenomenon I’m about to describe. Why shouldn’t wise people with the intention of creating a better world learn how it’s done? Come on, let’s go exploring.
Contrary to popular thinking, focusing the unwavering attention of large groups of people on historical injuries virtually ensures their repeat. Focusing that same powerful flow of attention on crime and other undesirable behaviors increases the very evil we seek to prevent. What mechanics are at work here? Harry Palmer, in his new book, ReSurfacing, draws the curtain aside. “The word attention is derived from two Latin words, ad meaning “toward” and tendere meaning “stretch.” When you put your attention on something, you stretch toward it...Whoever or whatever attention is placed on becomes more real...Reality is sustained by attention. Attention is the creating energy of both consciousness and the universe. It is the crossover region where thought changes to perception—the area where consciousness transforms into a reality that is apparent to the senses—and vice versa. This is where the physical manifests, where the word becomes universe...The proper use of the will is not conquest and subjugation, but the disciplined control of one’s own attention.”
Beliefs create and attract our experiences by setting up attention filters that extract conforming input from the range of all possibilities. Perhaps this concept may take some getting used to. Many people are of the opinion that they scientifically survey their experiences, and then form their beliefs in response to the survey findings. This common misconception about how the world operates leads to all kinds of puzzling life circumstances and a feeling of being trapped by experiences “beyond our control.”
A person who has experienced just how easily and simply beliefs can be created or removed views beliefs as voluntarily adopted art forms. They cease to be things to kill and die for. Rather than asserting victimhood, the person deliberately focuses attention on creating solutions where lines in the sand are erased, and “enemies” (our friends who feel alienated) are welcomed home as allies.
Maybe I have a Picasso print hanging in my living room, but what a treat it is to come to your house and appreciate the Rembrandt in your den. Perhaps I have chosen to worship in one way, and you’ve chosen another, but what an honor it is to share your views and learn about how you see things. Imagine vast communities with this reverent point of view—and imagine how unthinkable genocide and persecution would be in that atmosphere.
This is not to say that history contains no lessons—it certainly does. These lessons need to be assimilated into our collective body of wisdom without tying our hands by keeping us attached to the past. There is technology available now to train people in doing just that.
At this point, you may be asking yourself modestly, “How can I make a difference? I’m just one person!”
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Excerpted from the 1994 inaugural speech of Nelson Mandela
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