Personally life has not gotten easier; I know many may feel the same way. Economic hardship has hit us all one way or another. It’s been useful to find so much support in terms of raising consciousness, because at the same time, the world is sure making it more challenging to overcome. At least we know we are not alone, and I have great appreciation for all the great thinkers and writers I have met online.

But the actual living through it, in a nutshell, is what Surfing the Tao is all about. Like I’ve said many times, if I had perfected the living of this philosophy myself, I wouldn’t be here anymore to write about it. I go through my own daily ups and downs, and am grateful for the support of friends and family – believe me. I couldn’t do it all without them. You know who you are.

I hate to admit that Twitter is about all I have time for these days – that 140 character limit makes it easy for me to get a few headlines and thoughts out, without the hours spent writing, editing, and searching links. Still, I go days without signing in even there. It’s unfortunate, I know. But there it is.

I am discovering what it means to grow vegetables in Hawaii and battle the bugs. And it’s hard to discover that some of your dear chickens are roosters, instead of the egg-layers you signed up for. It’s a learning curve, to be sure, and I’m grateful for the lessons – I also recognize these are important lessons that deserve my time right now, and along with all the other normal daily dilemmas, the schedule is simply overbooked.

The job situation is too much to even write about. It’s agonizing on so many levels, and not just for me, but for people close to me as well. Many of us are discovering how time seems much, much shorter than it used to; the days flash by and our creative projects languish. If there’s not a quickening currently afoot, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.

Meanwhile I am still somewhat languidly watching the headlines, and not being surprised at anything. We are living in the times I was warned about many times over. Behind the scenes, the p-t-b are busy. Frankly I’m even a little bored by it. Yes, our food is contaminated. Our drug and oil industries are corrupt. Politicians are not who they claim to be. Powerful control mechanisms, such as mind and weather control, are no longer only the realm of conspiracy theorists. Wars and catastrophic earth changes loom on the horizon. Bizarre synchronicities abound. The eschaton is being immanentized. Story at 11. Moving along.

I do sometimes have moments of panic, that I’m not being present enough for those who might need more support during these times. But that doesn’t mean the bad guys have won – far from it. The good guys have already won, but we need to live through it right now. In other words; once you’ve educated yourself on the Truth, step back, cease the panic, and take stock. Love is the only thing that will truly matter in the end. And – til I’m blue in the face – it’s all good.

I, as many others, have years of work behind me, a book even, so I’ve done my part, as best I could. Read my archives. And I’m not disappearing altogether. When more sh-t hits the fan I will be here to comment and advise; that is, if there still is an Internet at that point. But right now, I have to concentrate on my family, my livelihood, my own immediate reality. Perhaps it’s what we should all be doing right now. Get up from the computer, take a look around and wonder what you would do if the power went out – permanently. Even if it doesn’t, you would be well-prepared not only for emergencies, but in your own personal development and relationships. At some point we must all realize that the next step takes place within ourselves.

I have had my own set of personal warnings. How about you?

The Master does nothing, yet he leaves nothing undone.

-Tao Te Ching #38

]]> http://surfingthetao.com/2009/06/09/nearing-the-end/feed/ 9 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ http://surfingthetao.com/2009/05/18/zombies-food-security-and-little-shifts/ http://surfingthetao.com/2009/05/18/zombies-food-security-and-little-shifts/#comments Tue, 19 May 2009 06:39:08 +0000 Angela http://surfingthetao.com/?p=463 “Control oil and you control nations; control food and you control the people.” – Henry Kissinger

‘Food security’ is a phrase one hears more often these days. When mainstream news or government sources discuss the topic, it’s generally in terms of subsidies for big ag, testing GMOs in Africa, [...]]]> “Control oil and you control nations; control food and you control the people.” – Henry Kissinger

‘Food security’ is a phrase one hears more often these days. When mainstream news or government sources discuss the topic, it’s generally in terms of subsidies for big ag, testing GMOs in Africa, tighter ‘safety’ controls on food production – clearly it is within the Oligarchy’s intent to control the world’s food, and they do it in the name of ‘saving’ us but in reality…well, if you’re here reading this, you know what’s really going on.

How simple to provide everyone their daily bread, in the form of federally regulated, poisonous, addictive, mass-produced, cheap and accessible goodies. We have already forgotten our grandparent’s knowledge of the land. We are too busy with chips and sodas, iPods and Idols to care about such fuddy-duddy things. We figure we won out, no longer isolated on a dirty, back-breaking farm, but free to roam the brightly-colored plastic prisons of our future. The entire scheme was brilliant, really, and took only about 50 years. Amazing how quickly – and happily – we forget.

Slowly, though, the pendulum is beginning to swing back, whether due to a rediscovered consciousness and respect for the land, or a lingering vision of a post-apocalyptic nightmare complete with marauding bands of cannibal zombies. Food security is something families and communities are beginning to rethink, at the local level. Down here in the trenches, is is dawning on many more people how unbalanced our present high-industrial, corporate system has become. It is fragile, because if for whatever reason any link in that mega-chain fails, millions of people will find their only source of food – grocery stores – empty. It is also toxic on multiple levels, from the chemical-laden, land-scorching, seed-stealing, slaughterhouse-nightmare production practices, to the preservative-laden, neurotransmitter-deadening, nutrition-parched, Frankenstein-food products themselves. Not to mention the millions of individual packaging materials that end up in landfills and floating in the middle of the ocean, or the loss of an important spiritual connection to our planet.

If evil aliens from outer space had planned the whole thing to lure us into their waiting arms, I certainly would not be surprised. It’s patently insane.

How could we have allowed this to happen; participate in it, even? In truth, we are already zombies. A la Hansel and Gretel, we have allowed ourselves to wander without thought towards the promise of cakes, candy and the ‘easy life’. And we wonder why cancer and obesity rates have spiked. It would be easy to remain lulled in this hypnotic trance with Cheetos and snack-paks. But it is time to wake up. There’s nothing ‘easy’ about discovering you cannot make your own food or find your own water.

Some are making the radical transition ‘back to nature’ in its fullest sense, but even the Amish use the occasional tractor. Ultimately, if there really were a massive frequency shift into a higher level of consciousness, we probably wouldn’t need to think about alternative fuel sources or recycling plastic. But until then, it just feels right to make little shifts, however we can, to hitch a ride on that giant pendulum. No one really knows yet what will happen. What we do know is that we absolutely cannot sustain the way of life that has evolved since our grandparents’ generation.

The good news us, these past 50 years did not go to waste – not by a long shot. Many incredible technologies and solutions have come of age which will make our transition back to a sustainable lifestyle less back-breaking than our grandparents could have imagined. We have the benefit of a massive revolution of industry and science behind us now, and I believe it’s possible to return to our roots, without losing some wonderful resources. We just need to get our priorities straight, make some compromises, and – well, do a little initial work.

I originally began this post by describing many of the sustainable efforts we are putting into practice around here in detail. But if you are keeping up with the subject, it’s clear that the p-t-b are apparently still not gung-ho about such endeavors, Obama or no Obama, and irrespective of any organic White House garden (though I must snicker at the Daily Show’s recent skewering of the big ag response to that.) So I deleted it. But since our efforts have been taking all of my extra time, which has left this blog sorely neglected, I decided my readers deserved more. I’m also reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and I am decidedly jealous. My vision far exceeds our tiny space, at least for now.

So I will say, we are sprouting all sorts of interesting heirloom vegetables and exotic fruits, have met some really helpful and knowledgeable local folk who have shared information on organic gardening in Hawaii, and even received various seeds and plants we are incorporating. Mind you, we live in a suburban neighborhood on a ¼ acre plot with two houses. But you’d be surprised what you can fit in. We also got a late start; it is Hawaii so our growing season is all year long, however we do have mini-seasons, and one does have to pay attention to what varieties grow better in any particular microclimate. We are definitely in the experimental stages, and I find encouragement from all the wonderful gardening resources both locally and online.

There are also some new additions of the common poultry variety to our blossoming backyard endeavor. We’re hoping the neighbors won’t mind. We won’t keep any roosters, but at least in Hawaii we can rest assured that with a goat over one fence and a beekeeper across the street – not to mention the rooster crowing up the street – we’re not likely to be too off the charts.

I am beginning to think about local networks of trade, it would be cool to trade some eggs or tomatoes for some ahi or honey for example, like a modern ahupua’a. Likely the old-fashioned coconut wireless and local farmer’s markets will be our best bet out here, but I was surprised at the lack of online resources in that regard. The Internet would be a great way to establish some new relationships, now that so many more people are getting involved (at least until the power fails ). I did find some which trade vegetables, but it would be nice to include other items as well, which they do not allow. Here is an interesting site on bartering all kinds of things. I will definitely be investigating further.

Our location makes true off-the-grid living only a dream, though the previous owners installed solar water heaters, we’ve switched to low-energy light bulbs, unplug our appliances when not in use and try to recycle every scrap we can. Hawaii has a redemption policy so we usually even make a few bucks. There are no curbside pickups here on the Big Island; we must cart it all to the local dump/recycling center, but it’s not far away and I simply can’t stand the thought of contributing to a landfill on such a limited patch of land in the middle of the ocean, apocalypse or no apocalypse.

The nuisance has got me thinking quite a bit about packaging. Walking into a Walmart, all I can see are the inevitable piles of rubbish, with all those ridiculous individual, throw-away boxes and bottles. Consider the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, one of the many truly tragic results of this way of life. Here is a short list of facts about plastic pollution that might surprise you, even if you think you already know how bad it is. Some communities are stepping up programs to eliminate the plastic shopping bag. Recycle This has some good suggestions.

Certainly it would be sensible to either 1) use 100% biodegradable plastic or 2) provide a way to refill the container, rather than buying an entirely new bottle. Soaps, shampoos, cleaning supplies, you name it; there should be refill centers in our local stores where we can make use of our containers and pay by weight. Or something. In the long run it would make a huge difference. I wonder why the “geniuses” who started this whole thing didn’t implement something sensible to begin with. (Oh, right, they didn’t care about sustainability; only profit, as well as the world government they would foist upon us to ‘clean it up’ and have us believe it’s all our fault. Sorry, I forgot.)

There is an eye-opening short called The Story of Stuff that is worth watching.

Some ingenious inventors are thinking outside the box. Free energy technologies continue to lurk in the background. One will know the government is truly ‘transparent’ when such knowledge is finally released to the public, instead of being either continuously blackballed or tightly controlled in secret. (Likely why UFOs are also still an enigma.) The wisdom of the ancients, if understood and used correctly for peace and harmony in the world, could be our saving grace. Some people close to me are quick to point out, however, that perhaps humanity is not yet ready for such power if it includes the power of destruction. Some are; many are likely not, if our world’s wars and conflicts are any evidence.

In the meantime, there are many, many other alternative technologies to look for. Solar ovens are a great idea, as are rocket stoves, and would be good additions to the emergency kit. How about a generator that runs on used vegetable oil? A student developed a solar fridge that is already helping people in developing countries. Researchers are making car parts out of coconut husks. Shipping containers are getting makeovers into affordable housing. Wind generators are becoming more affordable. How about a green cell phone, or at the least, a solar cell phone charger? Frankly, that last one should be de rigueur. And this is only the tip of the iceberg.

There are options out there, though they are typically not found at the local convenience store yet, and can be more expensive. One can find recyclable toothbrushes, for example. Put your used plastic bottles to work with the Solarbulb lamp attachment. Invest in a good reusable water bottle.

We must also think about the unthinkable. How about reusable toilet wipes? Here in Hawaii one can grow a Melocia tree or ‘toilet paper tree’, with large, soft leaves. Many Moons Alternatives can even suggest some ideas regarding women’s personal care. Important considerations not only for the environment, but for survival situations as well. Toronto’s “Green Bin” program is recycling not only the usual plastic and glass, but also kitty litter, animal waste and even dirty diapers. Kitty litter is actually a really big problem, as the clay mined for it strips the land, it’s toxic when inhaled and disposed of, and not typically recyclable.

Precycling, or simply not purchasing or using items in the first place, is a great thought. Little shifts, dontcha know. I would love to have the time to also make our own soap, toothpaste, cloth and much more…but alas, I, like many others, am still a slave to the society I was born into, though I am working on it. Perhaps we can merge into a balance at the center, supporting smaller companies who use local, nontoxic ingredients, a much smaller carbon footprint and eventually, little or no fossil fuels.

Initially this shift will take some expense, forethought and compromise. The journey of a thousand miles began with the first step, and if we make it that far, our grandchildren will thank us. Do zombies even have grandchildren? I don’t think so. Find local sources of fresh unadulterated vegetables, even meat and fish if you go there, and buy what you can when it’s in season. Refuse to buy packaged junk food and unnecessary trinkets, recycle and buy recycled goods if you must, get off the couch and water a tomato plant. That alone could move mountains, save you a few pennies, and even knock off a few pounds.

This series of small shifts could lead to a greater shift. It would be the start of a larger transition towards balance between city and farm, between humanity and the planet. We would have more time, and resources, to explore space – both inner and outer.

It has always been my vision that it is possible to reconnect with our land and our community in a profound and sustainable way, without losing access to some great innovations. First, we must seriously consider a return to local food sources, however we can manage. But if we were smart about it, we wouldn’t have to hitch our covered wagons on the way back to isolation at the homestead; we could just press the ignition on a small, solar-powered flying car, and continue to trade gardening tips with our friends in the Far East.

There has been an enormous upsurge in the mainstream media of mention of a “New World Order”, which specific terminology has heretofore been the primary domain of conspiracy theorists. Just about every major world leader, past and present, and many of the corporate elite have spoken those words by now, including Time Magazine in a recent brazen title article. Their echoes resonate around the world, entraining ears not attuned to the double entendre.

I went to college in the ’80s and studied languages and international relations at a top university. I was not aware of any conspiranoid theories at the time and never questioned the intelligence of globalization. I was all for it.

I still am. There is no doubt that today’s technology gives the planet the opportunity to create a new order of cultural understanding and economic prosperity. However, now that I am aware of the ancient plots and potential misuses of this philosophy, I tread this ground more carefully. This new age also gives rise to global corporations that rape not just their home town, but rain forests and oceans across the planet. Globalization sounds good in theory, but in practice, it has been abused and led to the destruction of our environment as well as the growth of a bloated elite who care nothing for the common man or their local communities. I watch with trepidation for the totalitarian one world government waiting in the wings, for a natural catastrophe, Planet X, or UFO landing, to gather us into its scaly claws. It may even only take this current economic crisis.

Globalization, in its real and truest sense, must come from within. It must be the joining together of a multitude of small, successful and peaceful communities – it must be grassroots, not trickle-down. While a new world order might claim to be the answer to religious wars and economic disparity, it also still saves a place for the Oligarchy. They still make the rules – they make the products – they grow the food and say what fuel source powers our cars and homes. They say what form of ID we must show, they go to war, they make the weapons, they sell them to terrorists and teach them how to use them. We, the “public servitude”, still only just work for Them.

The military is still advancing new, even scarier technologies, the small organic farmer is facing more and more difficulty, and people are still warped by all kinds of toxins in the air, food, water, prescription drugs, and who knows what all else. I’d like to see free energy devices freed from black projects. I’d like to hear the new administration talk about subsidizing organic community gardens, not look the other way when Monsanto takes a small farmer to court because some evil suicide seeds got blown into the neighboring garden patch. I’d like to hear about HAARP’s destructive potential, and see it turned off. I’d like to see communities developing their own currencies, their own methods of feeding themselves, of producing energy and bartering.

We don’t have to lose our global community – we can keep the Internet, keep trading with each other, keep our arts and culture, keep in touch and continue to develop our global friendships. But we need to be locally self-sufficient. The bail-out needs to start at home, in our own backyards, literally. What crafts, products and specialties that are traded internationally, should not be basic necessities. Otherwise, if and when the system breaks down, it will indeed be global revolution and massive starvation. (Of course, some believe this is exactly what the Oligarchy has in mind, as they wait patiently in their underground bunkers for the masses of surface flesh to disintegrate.)

When I hear the new administration talking in these terms, I will drop my spoon and wipe the drool from my gaping jaw. As good as the new guy might sound right now, unless this very real and basic tenet of local sustainability is implemented, nothing will really change. A recent article by Chris Hedges at Truthdig quotes political philosopher Sheldon S. Wolin regarding our current situation, “The basic systems are going to stay in place; they are too powerful to be challenged.” Mr. Hedges’ article is entitled, It’s Not Going to Be OK, if that’s any indication.

Propping up the old paradigm will not work. Refueling the previous modus operandi will just result in another eventual crash. The entire system must be reconsidered.

The new administration is busy getting fitted with its shining armor, and to many, it’s sounding promising. Many appreciate seeing the elite get taken down a notch, myself included. Taking away the CEO’s outrageous benefit packages is news, to be sure. Witnessing the destruction of a large portion of the overblown wealthy lifestyle is somewhat entertaining. It is now quickly becoming shameful to have multiple houses, cars, boats, luxury vacations, etc., during the crisis. It’s reminiscent of a historical revolution against a decadent monarchy. Cut off their heads! It is being done, metaphorically and symbolically, for the benefit of the masses, who still have no cake to eat.

Having grown up and been brainwashed that capitalism and its associate “free democratic” government is the best way, along with the accompanying understanding that the alternative, communism, is anti-American, I watch all of this in wonder.

The average Joe may think it is more equitable that the wealth be more evenly distributed – where indeed is all that money going in these huge government bail-outs? Is this how true capitalism is supposed to work? If it’s not given the name “communism”, or its opposite, the equally despotic “fascism”, most people won’t realize what is really being done. Is the term “socialism” even acceptable to Americans? I can’t say for sure. But even in Europe, where socialism is often the standard, allowing governments to bail out bloated industry is being questioned.

In a simpler time, this crisis might have led to the creation of entirely new industries and modes of production and survival in a natural way, perhaps aligned with Mr. Smith’s notions of free market capitalism. If new energy sources and new ideas were allowed to flourish and not squelched by the domineering corporate tycoons, for example, there would be a new world order quite naturally and harmoniously, no oligarchy required.

But at this point, it can be argued that too many people would starve waiting for the revival to occur as a result of a healthy free market (which doesn’t really exist, anyway). As well, the oligarchy is not really going anywhere. This group is vague, unspecific, mostly unnamed, difficult to trace and avoids any official label. They will remain behind the scenes, perhaps with a smaller wealth (though probably not by much, compared to the rest of us), and forced to now be less ostentatious, at least for now. They will simply morph and adjust as need be. They know what is happening. They’ve likely been preparing and planning for it for awhile now. The new world order that is appearing is just the wolf changing costumes.

I yearn for abundance and prosperity for those who are suffering now. I’m not personally able to offer any alternative, here and now, in this fleshly incarnation, in this present time. You might be able to learn how to ascend this dimension. But until then, what to do about the misery so many people are experiencing? One can preach balance, and love and harmony, but before we get there, we all have to eat. And many of us are not.

Which brings to mind the term “useless eaters” so often quoted by the powers-that-be. In fact, on the heels of this economic “reorganization” is the increasing call to reduce the world’s population. So, again, average Joe thinks, yeah, this is a good idea. I agree to a certain extent – having 14 kids is irresponsible if you’re not living in the dark ages when most children died before age one, and people had to farm their own land to survive. In today’s developed world, it’s downright ridiculous.

I would like to see us all have the inner wisdom to come to these conclusions ourselves, so that we could self-regulate the hardship we are placing on our environment. But admittedly this will not happen overnight, if ever, at this point, at least in the present era, due to traditional mindsets and religious brainwashing. On the other hand, making it a matter of law reeks of totalitarianism. But barring any other alternative, it seems like the Oligarchy’s long-term love of eugenics is also becoming acceptable mainstream discussion.

We are coming near the end of a road. The old world order has been toppled, quite extravagantly and symbolically, since the taking down of the World Trade Center in 2001. Since then, we’ve experienced a very finely-crafted destruction of the remaining structures, culminating in the election of a leader who promises to guide us into a new age.

Like many others, I wait to see whether apocalyptic prophecies are about to be fulfilled, or whether a real, positive change is occurring, that will usher in a new prosperity in harmony with the planet, and with each other.

What do you think?

“If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao. Stop trying to control. Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself.”

- Tao Te Ching #57