Paraphrasing spiritual teacher Ram Dass, “Whether this is the first day of the Apocalypse or the first day of the Golden Age, the work remains the same…to love each other and ease as much suffering as possible.”
-Ram Dass
Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert; April 6, 1931 – December 22, 2019) was an American spiritual teacher, guru of modern yoga, psychologist, and writer.
He received three degrees in psychology: a BA from Tufts University; an MA from Wesleyan University; and a PhD from Stanford University.
Over the course of his life, since the inception of the Hanuman Foundation, Ram Dass donated his book royalties and profits from teaching to his foundation and other charitable causes.
-Wikipedia
According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, the Apocalypse and the Golden Age are defined as follows:
The Apocalypse is the complete final destruction of the world as described in the biblical book of Revelation.
The Golden Age, according to prophecy, will be a period of great blessing, peace, prosperity, and glory.
Due to worldwide catastrophes, extreme, and often violent, differences and beliefs involving races, cultures, and politics, our human society lives in a state of turmoil and chaos.
These circumstances have existed throughout history; in the minds of many, they have foretold the end of the world…the Apocalypse.
On the other hand, times of peace, prosperity, intellectual and spiritual freedom have been considered the Golden Age that, according to some prophecies, will last for a thousand years.
Once again the world faces the possibility of The End, or The New Beginning of History.
The possession and /or development of nuclear arms presently exists in many countries; the the ability and decision to employ them lies in the hands of heads of state, insurgents, and extremists, some of whom are irrational and unpredictable.
Although many may be oblivious to, or in self-denial of this maelstrom, most realize that something is infiltrating their thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
That something is Fear.
And Fear has many Children: uncertainty, anger, hatred, revenge, and pride.
I have struggled with Fear all of my life; sometimes it was a battle; sometimes it was a war.
Those of us , and I believe we are in the majority, who choose and strive to attain The New Beginning must take the first step on a precarious path.
The immortal words of Neil Armstrong come to mind, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
My first step was, and still is, to drag Fear for out of the shadows and into the light of day to wrestle with him and try to grasp and understand his hold on me.
One of the most effective weapons in my arsenal was writing.
I offer an example of this in a poem I wrote in my memoir, “I’m Afraid” :
Guard Against Annoyance
Annoyance leads to Anger.
Anger leads to Resentment.
Resentment leads to Hatred.
Hatred leads to Revenge.
Revenge feeds the Ego.
An overstuffed Ego
Swells with Pride.
Pride comes before the Fall.
The Fall is into Darkness.
Too much time spent in the Darkness
Results in rejection of the Light.
Rejection of the Light leads to
Loss of the Soul.
The world and America are at a crossroad: The Beginning or the End…Liberty or Death.
Choose carefully.
Do Not Be Afraid.