inspiritme

planetary perspectives

 

..developing shape of a new world order...

"The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty, and all forms of human life. ." John F. Kennedy

As individuals, making sense of the way in which individual thoughts, feelings and personal history create both the circumstances of our life now and our prospects for the future, represents the greatest challenge that it is possible to have. To truly explore this in its infinite depth is a lifetimes task, with both great rewards and also much pain. Consider then how much more challenging it is to make sense of what is happening on a global scale; the collective expression of 6.6 billion individuals; all completely different yet all much like ourselves... 6.6 billion different opinions about what is going on, what is important and what should be done about it..... 6.6 billion different degrees of self-awareness on the bottom line of self and collective interest.....

Within Western culture (UK, USA, Europe) two principle ideas have taken root during the twentieth century and which could be said to both inspire the people of goodwill and also present challenges for their implementation; the idea of basic human rights for all and the idea of a parliamentary-type democracy, with government by a forum of elected representatives; the implementation of government being through a bureacracy of paid employees, with a stated intention of being "for the good of the people". The model is adopted at local, regional, national and supra-national level. Within this broad model, changes have occurred, particularly since the post WW2 affluence of the 1950s and the cultural flowering of the 1960s.

The first period saw a strict demarcation between the public and private domains. Within the boundaries of legality, individuals were free to live as they chose while government occupied itself with public affairs. Politicians sought to present a positive vision to the electorate and aimed to win votes by offering to implement this positive vision. Individuals were free to object to the actions of politicians and publicly demonstrate against them. The second period, from the 1970s through to the 1990s saw a subtle shift in emphasis; with the emergence of consumerism and government based on market forces. Within this period, a process began of centralising political power, which is continuing to this day. Many people of goodwill found ethical objections to a culture of mass greed and consumerism. Government on the other hand began to more closely link parliamentary democracy with a free market economy as a global model which it felt justified in aggressively imposing on others.

Where government had previously presented a positive vision to the electorate, the third era of the present now sees politicians conjuring up negative visions, especially the spectres of terrorism and economic recession, from which they offer to save us, by the imposition of ever more draconian inroads into our historical liberties. Where once the domain of our private lives was none of their business, now, what we eat, how much we weigh, what we say that may offend others, what we read, what we drink, who we know, who we speak to, who we write to about what... is increasingly exposed to scrutiny and increasingly subject to heavy-handed and apparently ill considered legislation. At the same time, evidence is growing that government is beginning to not function right; whether it is the way that the stated needs of the economy are increasingly in conflict with the needs of the natural environment; or whether it is the way that the right to protest is being stifled; our every movement and communication subject to surveillance; whether it is the way that the poor are increasingly subsidising the rich... or whether it is simply that a large majority of people just don't trust politicians any longer... They spout on about basic human rights on the surface, while actually historic liberties are being eroded at an accelerating rate.

We may no longer trust them, but the power of the political and financial establishment is growing. At the same time that the twin influences of an international financial elite and a growing army of bureacrats exert ever greater pressure on us all, political leaders are creating a "New World Order" without explicit consent. The subject of numerous conspiracy theories, the idea was first stated by Cecil Rhodes, reputedly a 33° freemason, in the early 1900s, advocating that the British Empire and the United States should jointly impose an autonomous Federal World Government to replace sovereign states. Modern proponents of the theory view historical and current events as steps in an on-going plot to rule the world primarily through a combination of political finance, social engineering, mind control and fear-based propaganda. George Bush referred to the New World Order immediately following 9/11, while the recent financial crisis is prompting calls for global-wide government control of financial institutions (or does that mean financial institutions controlling government??), at our expense, as the only way forward to avert disaster !!!

Whatever the truth of all this, certainly the cultural explosion of the 1960's with its themes of planetary goodwill and an enlightened spiritual renaissance; the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, seems to have been eclipsed. Or has it ? Biblical prophecy points to Armageddon as a battle between the forces of good and evil, which will or is being enacted on a world stage. The nature of prophecy is such that its never too clear what is being referred to. However, what is beyond doubt is that an enormous drama is being played out on the planet, which affects us all and to which we are all both witnesses and participants; through the rectangular screens of TV and PC. There is no doubt that some form of new world order is in the making and that its shape will be the expression of either our passive consent or our active choices.

 Recommended Products

Inspirit Me Bookshop.  We have here assembled what we believe to be diverse key approaches to the theme of comprehending the nature of current planetary issues. Reviews follow, while clicking the item will bring more information, reviews and product availability.

       

Gaia. In this classic work that continues to inspire its many readers, Jim Lovelock puts forward his idea that life on earth functions as a single organism. Written for non-scientists, Gaia is a journey through time and space in search of evidence with which to support a new and radically different model of our planet. In contrast to conventional belief that living matter is passive in the face of threats to its existence, the book explores the hypothesis that the earth's living matter air, ocean, and land surfaces forms a complex system that has the capacity to keep the Earth a fit place for life. Since Gaia was first published, many of Jim Lovelock's predictions have come true and his theory has become a hotly argued topic in scientific circles. In a new Preface to this reissued title, he outlines his present state of the debate.
A New Earth. Eckhart Tolle's first full length book in eight years will be a cornerstone for personal spirituality and self-improvement for years to come. Taking off from the introspective work that he began with "The Power of Now", Tolle provides the spiritual framework for people to move beyond themselves in order to make this world a better, more spiritually evolved place to live. Shattering modern ideas of ego and entitlement, self and society, Tolle lifts the veil of fear that has hung over humanity during this new millennium, and shines an illuminating light that leads to happiness and health that every reader can follow.
The Chaos Point. We have a choice: Breakdown or Breakthrough. Revered author and systems theorist Ervin Laszlo provides a concise yet encompassing overview of the present world situation, showing where we are, and how we got here. Where we are, Laszlo tells us, is at a critical juncture in history, a 'decision-window' where we face both the danger of global collapse and the opportunity of worldwide renewal. According to Laszlo we have six to seven years to head off unsustainable trends that would lead to a 'tipping point' beyond which there is no turning back. After this tipping point we either evolve to a safer, more sustainable world, or the social, economic and ecological systems that frame our life break down. This is the Chaos Point, but this need not be the end of the world, only the end of a phase of the world beyond which a new world could dawn. In today's decision-window we have a unique chance of creating that new world and this pioneering book tells us what healing and renewal means, and how each of us can help in achieving it.
The True Story of the Bilderberg Group. Delving into a world once shrouded in complete mystery and impenetrable security, this investigative report provides a fascinating account of the annual meetings of the world's most powerful people--the Bilderberg Group. Since its inception in 1954 at the Bilderberg Hotel in the small Dutch town of Oosterbeek, the Bilderberg Group has been comprised of European prime ministers, American presidents, and the wealthiest CEOs of the world, all coming together to discuss the economic and political future of humanity. The press has never been allowed to attend, nor have statements ever been released on the attendees' conclusions or discussions, which have ramifications on the citizens of the world. Using methods that resemble the spy tactics of the Cold War--and in several instances putting his own life on the line--the author did what no one else has managed to achieve: he learned what was being said behind the closed doors of the opulent hotels and has made it available to the public for the first time.
Beyond 2012. For over twenty years, Geoff Stray has been investigating the year 2012 as a time of potentially massive significance for humankind and planet Earth. This investigation has revealed that several civilisations across the world have calendars, myths, prophecies and visions connected with 2012. Will it be global catastrophe or spiritual transformation? Discerning and detailed, BEYOND 2012 is a must-read for anyone striving to understand the predicted transition, the importance of our times and what it all means for humanity.