The feeling that consciousness is rising seems to be seeping into the pores of many. Some cannot find the words for the shifts that are taking place in their lives, while others are constantly fumbling over different theories, ideas, exploring perspective through meditation, talking about "the shift", and so on.

Within the chaos existing in our world today, many people are questioning: What is the point to all this?" And furthermore, "What is the point to life?"

This afternoon I walked into my favorite coffee shop in Seattle, The Perkatory, intending to write a short story about the art of dreaming. I ordered some peppermint tea and a half a cup of steamed soy milk. I sat down and pulled out my pen and pad, when suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by the voices of three men sitting next to me. My pen started to move, but instead of my thoughts on the art of dreaming pouring onto my pad, I began writing down random words that I was overhearing from the neighboring conversation. I could not hear connecting words demonstrating sentences, but bits of conversation I caught formed a scattered array of words on my piece of paper. The words being consciousness, meditation, ego, devotion, faith, compassion, and lastly to my surprise, GOSPEL. Before I heard the word gospel, I was beginning to assume that they were all Taoist or perhaps Buddhist, but it turned out that they were all devout Christians. My mind was thrown through a loop, as I had never before heard anyone of the Christian faith speak of some of these things in the manner they were being addressed. The eye of judgment suddenly reflected up on me, mirroring my own ignorance. For I have "consciously" put many western beliefs in a box as being less evolved. Now, up to this point I was not aware of why I was interested at all in what was being said, for it was not being addressed to me, and I was clearly not a part of the conversation. But at this point the wheels of my mind were turning. I remembered reading a quote written by Peter Russel stating; "What we are experiencing today is the culmination of billions of years of accelerating development." This thought really struck a cord. I began to travel back in time to how it all began.

First came woman and man, then evolved thought, and following a stream of consciousness, language across the globe was developed. Later we developed technology and as this technology advanced, we were able to send thoughts and language across the world. In this day and age there are few original thoughts out there, but many, many crossovers. Very few traditional beliefs can be classified in the same category as they once were. Thoughts and ideas are borrowed from different traditions and respect for different ways of looking at life seems to be more widespread. This is not to say that this concept exists within everyone, but awareness appears to be heightening. A growing desire to unite is linking us all. I am not implying that it is wise to abandon tradition in any way, I am merely suggesting that we encompass a grander appreciation for the safety net of belief systems encapsulating our globe. In fact, in acknowledging that these ancient beliefs and rituals are precious, they should be honored for all that they are worth.

Now many people feel that all this talk about unification, peace and love, is a bunch of new age bull----, but it can be simplified to a question of self and intention. A willingness to look within and see your own beauty so that you can reflect it upon those around you. What kind of person would take the time to look upon the core of their being, gazing at the innocence of the child that lives within us all, and still want to rape the mother earth, kill innocent villagers, and bomb nations. All we need to do is ask ourselves, "What is consciousness?" As our consciousness deepens and becomes more aware of itself, we become more aware of the potential of our consciousness. As we liberate our minds from outdated habits of thinking and reacting, and actively change these ways, we create space for an ever expanding consciousness. To be conscious is simply to be fully present. The less caught up we are in judgments of the past and expectations of the future, the more ability our higher truth has to rise above the ground floor of our minds and hearts, where all of human thought and emotion are born. We are at the point in the world today where the lack of thought and an overpopulation of greed are now having global ramifications. At it's root is a crisis of consciousness. Evolution demands a look on the inside of the hearts and minds of every person walking on this earth. It is time to ask ourselves, "What is my intention?"

There exists a thread, woven between every human being, every belief system, every society, and every nation. That thread is a will to survive. This is when faith becomes an act of will rather than of intellect or separation. As we remember the commonality of all things, we can embrace our differences and accept one another's individual gifts to the greater whole.

The more conscious people become, the more closely we begin to pay attention to the subtle fluctuations happening all around us. If we continue to inquire, then we continue to receive answers, as long as we continue to pay attention. As part of the world is in the survival mode, engulfed in war, suffering from famine and disease, and struggling to be free, the rest of us must find the strength to invest in those who don't have as many choices before them. We must put judgment aside and replace it with love and compassion. The world is counting on a higher consciousness from the hearts and minds of all beings walking upon this precious soil, our mother earth.

I am suggesting that now is the time to become hyper aware and to be thankful for that which we have rather than always wishing for something grander. Now is the time to take steps inward rather that outward, so we can peer into the soul that gives us life. The more we practice truth, whatever that may be to each of us, the more we reflect love and integrity. The more we let go of judgment and embrace ourselves and one another, the closer we get to rediscovering the true meaning of love, time and time again.