You Are Like A Hurricane

A discussion of the storms of change and what you can do or how to respond. In anticipation that things might get or even seem more turbulent. Egads perfect timing considering what happened yesterday (assassination attempt).

The Rabbit Hole of Energy

Energy flows, exists in an infinity of aspects and ways, from the sub-atomic to the galactic, on a spectrum from the physical, sound, information to light, in an infinite number of spectrums. Energy is frequency can exist as a solid, liquid, gas and plasma. https://www.psfc.mit.edu/vision/what_is_plasma

Energy is highly malleable, it can be slow or fast, volatile, and sublime. There are many forms of energy, e.g., chemical, nuclear, wind, gravity, electric, light, thermal, sound, electromagnetic, etc. 

Elsewhere I’ve noted that consciousness is a transformer or translator of energy. Is consciousness a catalyst in the process of transforming and translating energy? What if consciousness (thoughts and feelings) set up a frequency template that informs the energy to present a certain way? In a sense, energy forms and/or reflects (mirrors) or is a projection of consciousness. Or is it that energy encourages (forces) consciousness to change? And in the changing consciousness, there occurs a change of perspective. The “double-slit” experiment occurred over 200 years ago. Andy yet, there continues the discussion of reality and the role of consciousness in shaping it or being shaped by reality? What if it was both? 

What if consciousness is a higher state of “cold fusion” energy? Able to be cross-dimensional and able to exist in multi-dimensions. An energy that is self-organizing. How can energy be self-organizing? By having a common interest in being?… What? There are various types of energy interactions are based on either coherence or incoherence, i.e., resonance and frequency. And attraction or repulsion either to form a tight bond or a release of the bond, thus creating energetic interactions and relationships.  

One of the most interesting energetic interactions/relationships is the energy of love. Basically, opposites attract and can form significant bonds, e.g., a magnet. Or if they are too much alike, they repel and recoil. But love can also release and in the release have the potential to expand beyond comprehension. Therefore, you have a collapse into a singular state of being one and the same. And you can have an infinite expanding state of being one and the same. Whether we call this the alpha and omega, a black hole or some type of infinite fractal sharding, it doesn’t really matter, except having a common and expanding paradigm and language in which to discuss, discover, interact and be. It could be a discussion of physics, math, religion, consciousness… whatever, it is just energetic interaction as information, words, and concepts. Yet is it also morphing, transcending and evolving to be more?   

A progression of Influence

Common sense notes that when we are “undeveloped,” that our environment (reality) has more influence and shapes our consciousness. This is easily noted in young children up to becoming a teenager. Children are products or a reflection of their environment.

The teen years and up through being an adult (age 28-35) is the period where a person discovers and learns about their relationship and interaction with their environment (reality). Whether it is work, intimate relationships, financial, social, etc. But it is mainly oriented externally with their environment. Any perhaps the beginning of their journey of inner awareness.  

Then as a developed adult, a person enters understanding their ability that they are influencers and creators of their environment and reality. Of course, presuming that all goes well. And if it doesn’t, we all have challenges that are essentially lessons of “reality.” And the development of their inner awareness or perspective. 

Perception Versus Perspective

In daily life there is a distinction between perception (our interpretation and understanding) versus our perspective (the framework, model or paradigm, i.e., “mindset”) in which we interact and work with our environment (reality). Mindset is basically the who, who are you? Are you a victim, a player, a solver of the puzzle or a creator of the puzzle, etc.? While all contribute to our sense of reality. They also offer opportunities to change our reality. 

Dr. Eddie O’Connor, a sports psychologist provides a nice grasp of how aspects of our consciousness contribute to our reality (https://dreddieoconnor.com/blog/perception-vs-perspective/). There is also the need to mention the very close concept of freedom. Arno Ilgner, notes three types of freedom: freedom from, freedom to and freedom to be” (https://warriorsway.com/three-types-of-freedom/). The concepts of “freedom, consciousness and reality are deeply entangled and perhaps offer unique perspectives during periods of change, especially during the storms of change.

Crisis What Is It Good For?

An interesting perspective is viewing our apparent “crisis reality” occurring all around the earth. The long historical experience has been one of scarcity, control, and fear in the myriads of forms under the notion of dominion, manifest destiny, colonialism, imperialism are codified in our current regulatory nightmare. Despite that, we are also seeing an uprising of folks noting we have an abundance. For some it is a matter of elitism and greed by the controlling few. For others it is a discussion of revolution versus evolution. Some note revolution, an overthrow of the establishment. And still others note we must strive for evolution, a transcendence of the out worn paradigm of dominion.

Currently, we are witnessing war and its many battles. A battle of the narratives. Whoever controls the narrative, controls the mind (the understanding, i.e., perceptions) of the captured via psychological, communicative, lexicology, etymology, and phenomenological strategy and tactics that are perspectives of “reality.” The ancient tactic is “story telling.” Story telling is a deceptively simple and effective way of creating and understanding a “prescribed” notion of reality. Stories notes the how, when, where and why of our existence. Often told by an authority whether parents, the priestly class the knowledgeable institutions of theory, science, and history or the shamans and crones, i.e., elders of the tribe. This is nothing new from the psychological perspective of influence in the modern-day politics and of business marketing and sales. Which is basically the “problem and solution,” i.e., define the problem and offer an enticing (or enforced) solution. While keeping folks ignorant, captured or indentured via debt. 

A simple slavery model, captures the mind and heart by continuing to only offer two solutions. While there are an infinite abundance of options and opportunities. Yet most cannot step outside of the two-option model because of fear, lack of knowing otherwise and unable to even consider they have their own sovereignty to be self-determined. 

What if folks are now seeing through the slavery model? Noting that they did not want or support the national debt levels and priorities set by representatives? Nor did they ask for the political sleight-of-hand leaving the working taxpayers on the hook for the debt they do not support. 

How does this happen? It is quite easy with the technique of the sins of omission. “We posted asking for your input and due to lack of response, thought you were not interested.” (Via a representative democracy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representative_democracy). Never mind that you were the beasts toiling in the fields picking the cotton for us. 

Meanwhile corporatocracy has risen as an indeterminate misty entity (or intermediary) that is the comptroller/controller of access, distribution, and regulator of forms of wealth. This is seen in practically every aspect of modern life, regardless of political thought, parties and systems. These intermediaries are the unelected administrators that have the influence to codify, interpret and dispense the regulatory capacity, i.e., flow. Which is also operationalized by the same learned administrators who tout we are protecting you (the fear of) “what if some misfortune happens?” This is the new class of administrators which represent the interest of pharma, insurance, banking, and governmental contractors, etc. Few see the tragedy of our captured hearts, minds, and souls caged in the nebulous regulatory fear machine. What would happen if the cages were opened? In the case of disruption, a storm of change, what happens in the short, medium and long term? Change in the immediate and short term is often seen as chaotic, the medium term is an adjustment and transition. And long term is perhaps a blessing or curse dependent on one’s perspective.

Storytellers

So, who do we listen to? What storytellers do we sit at the feet of and listen to their stories? What are the agendas of the storytellers? There are many tellers of stories, the priests of academia, the scholars of religious tribes, politicians, the administrative regulators and/or our parents whatever is their role and capacity. What do all these stories tellers have in common? The commonality is that we have continued to be children. Failing to grow into our self-determined awareness. Failing to claim our own stories. And instead continue to listen to the same old bed-time stories by night and toil by the light of day by our masters’ wishes.

Or are we learning to listen to our intuitive whispers and knowledge that come from within? Can we trust ourselves… is this crazy or enlightening? What is the difference between a schizophrenic and a genius? One hundred thousand dollars per year. LOL!… What are you going to do about it? What is your agency and responsibility in creating your reality? Are you going to decide or let someone else decide for you… do you trust that they have your interest? By-the-way, what are the interests or agendas of the storytellers?

What is Changing?

Energy is not destroyed and thus logically cannot be created. What changes is the form, flow, how it is used and our perception thereof. Thus, “the only constant is change.” An euphuism that is taken at face value. Yet hides workings behind the curtain like in the Wizard of Oz.    

Consciousness and Transparency

Elsewhere, I’ve noted that the ego and subsequently knowledge is merely a self-referent tool, i.e., much like a dog chasing its tail. And that consciousness is the tool of the divine…but is still a tool. Consciousness is a tool often represented as a mirror that reflects divinity. However, the mirror often needs to be cleaned to provide a clear reflection. None-the-less consciousness is a useful tool in our development and exploration toward becoming a multi-facetted being.

Consciousness as a Catalyst

A catalyst is a substance that enables or speeds a significant change enduring no permanent change. Things are changing fast. There are many predictions of enormous events or storms to occur soon. I do not know nor presume what, when, where, how, why or to whom. But I know how to best respond to the storm; or it is an enormous change. 

Three Phases: Preparation, Reaction and Aftermath

The first phase is preparation. Getting things ready to go and understanding that during the “reaction phase” things happen fast. Or are prepared to batten down the hatches as the storm arrives. Hopefully, you have already prepared as you see fit, are able and according to your circumstances.

How to handle the storm of change during the storm! (This is the central piece of this post.)

The second phase, the reaction phase. Or as the storm, i.e., the change(s) bears down and are raging. Find a calm and protected place; both physically, psychologically, and spiritually. In my experience of crisis work, the following skill and process that you control, i.e., your response.

• BREATHE, nice full and deep breaths, slow and aware… and continue these breaths. Being able to breathe well, will help you mindfully regulate your response. If you can control your breath, you can control your response and behaviors. Thus, helping to ensure your awareness and continued survival.
• Have some awareness/understanding of what is happening, 
• Situational awareness of what is presently happening, i.e., what do you see, feel, hear, etc. brings to awareness what is actually happening. Listen to the storm/story! Listen empathically with equanimity, compassion, and grace. Warning: what you hear may be terrifying and horrifying. But remember, it is just a release of energy (the storm of pain and suffering). Neither respond in fascination nor recoil/aversion. Remain in equanimity, compassion, and grace.
• Don’t panic… Breathe, if winds of distraction blow, merely refocus on your breath.
• Don’t just respond, know that there is a tendency to flight (run), fight or freeze. Which is normal, but this comes from an old physical survival part of the brain. Don’t fight, flight, or freeze… but Breathe! 
• Continue to survey the situation, being situationally aware. 
• Note what cannot be done, what is not worth doing and focus on what can be done to ensure survival and change. This is a simple triage process. 
• By far you are still functioning, i.e., surviving. You are not under direct attack nor in immediate fear and danger.
• So Breathe, realizing you are in a safe place for a few more moments. Thus, you are doing well.
• So just observe, but don’t respond. Don’t evaluate or make judgements of good or bad, or right or wrong. These evaluations are meaningless, and you are not in a position to make corrections and adjustments. Because you are in the middle of the storm/change. 
• Just relax into this gap of change, for the time being you are safe. Continue slow deep breaths and continue to observe.
• Abide in this calm, equanimous state and continue to observe and breathe. In this state, this gap of just being, you will begin to notice patterns of what is happening. You will notice opportunities that are revealed in which to interact and influence what is happening. At first, noticing the patterns of flow, that is the energy, its content, and feelings. How things come to be, their presentation and where it goes. 
• Instead of getting tossed and lost in the storm’s whirlwind, you will see the opportunities in the change. And understand how to leverage these opportunities. 
• If you are aware of your being, meaning and purpose, i.e., love, joys, passions. Then you will see the opportunities that “align” with your being and purpose. And thus, reach out and grab them… or let them pass. It is your choice.
• Other notes about Breath and Mindfulness (https://lovechangegrow.com/breath-and-mindfulness/)

This is my general process to keep my wits when dealing with storms of MH crisis. Frequently, the MH client was in a storm but was not the big storm. It was the system and the players, such as family members, ER docs, law enforcement, insurance carriers, service providers, attorneys, etc.

The Aftermath

The storm will pass, it is inevitable. All Things Must Pass, including moments of opportunities. Presuming you have recognized aligned opportunities and reached out grabbing them or surrendered to its flow. Now the work is a combination of what can you salvage and create. Symbolized as a death and rebirth opportunity. Recognize and know that the storm has brought change. An opportunity of rebirth and creation of a new being. The work is focusing on creating a new awareness, perspective or new way of being. The seed has germinated. And now you are putting down the roots. In part it is salvaging or carrying what can be useful or repurposed in your new creation and being. It is an awareness of the flow and pattern and leveraging what is occurring. Being involved in and at the moments of creation, presents enormous opportunities which are almost effortless. And influence what comes to be. 

For example, in spring, plant a tiny seed. It germinates, first putting down roots for support and sustenance. And then grows. Know that time compound its growth. At first, this wee bit of growth is slow and invisible, but it is foundational. It is simply being aware of the flow and opportunities that are presented at certain times which are difficult, if not impossible to do in other seasons.  

Our consciousness is a tool, an energy, a perspective and a catalysis that can help us to quickly change. Whether it is you/I/us, our environment and our reality. The heaven and hell of it is…  You are “Like a Hurricane” Neil Young, 1975. 

Blessings,

Tim