Creating a Critical Mass in Consciousness
By Deepak Chopra, MD
As everyone experiences with anxiety, the world right now is in a state of turbulence and chaos. If we are to achieve any measure of success in creating a more peaceful, just, sustainable, and healthy planet, it will require more than the participation of governments and businesses. There is no lack of idealism, but that’s not enough. To any observer, it’s obvious that the United Nations is struggling to fulfill its declared Millennium Development Goals:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainably
8. Develop a global partnership for development
These were prescient goals twenty years ago, and they become more relevant by the day. Personally I feel that the only solution is the creation of networks of creativity and “love in action.” Social media is the perfect place for groups to organize their solutions, through a process that is creative and self-organizing.
New ideas would be offered, and as people backed them with time, effort, and funds, the solutions would become self-organizing — they would grow along natural lines of enthusiasm and support, bypassing blocks imposed by special interests and nationalism. It is vitally necessary to work from the level of solutions rather than dwelling passively at the level of problems.
A dynamic network can be initiated by any leader who has passion and commitment to create a better world. There could be an initiation fee to join the network, which would make someone’s personal commitment tangible, and each member would be responsible for bringing two other members to the network with similar resources and commitment. The snowball effect would create a financially sustainable model. All financial transactions would be transparent and published weekly on the Internet. Projects and NGOS (non-government organizations) would be identified by the network for support, and then a democratic vote by all network members would determine which projects are to be funded. A simple notation such as a like would suffice as a vote in favor.
The second need is to feel empowered, which is a serious lack right now no matter who you are. There is power in numbers. A critical mass of people needs to be engaged in the process. Ideally as the process expands, each person would undergo inner transformation as the status of helpless bystander, which all of us falls into, turns into inspiration and the eagerness to move forward.
If this idea resonates with anyone reading this article, I would be happy to serve as a convener of the process. A few years ago, taking advantage of the Gallup Organization’s StrengthsFinder process, I discovered that my own strengths are in the category of
· Connector
· Adaptable
· Strategic
· Maximizer
· Futuristic
In this phase of my life and career, I feel that I can best use my resources to help create a critical mass of consciousness for personal transformation that will ultimately lead to social and global transformation. So my big idea is to reach 1 billion people to be the change that they want to see in the world.
My impetus at this moment focuses on peace and negotiating an end to violence. To reach this goal, I’ve offered my services through the Chopra Foundation to any leader wishing to find a nonviolent way out of conflict and war.
But your own empowerment is really up to you. There is guidance for finding your strengths at the Gallup StrengthsFinder website, a service available by subscription. It costs nothing, however, to sit down with like-minded friends and online connections to frankly discuss what you are good at — your career will give you a lot of indications already.
By whatever route, the human family is now reaching a fork in the road. The choices to participate at the level of solutions rather than dwelling at the level of problems faces everyone. The choice becomes more urgent by the day. Yet however shy or reluctant your feel about helping to create a critical mass, remember one thing. The tiniest step in the right direction is better than experiencing another moment of helpless anxiety.
DEEPAK CHOPRA™ MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a whole health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. Chopra is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and serves as a senior scientist with Gallup Organization. He is the author of over 90 books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. His 90th book and national bestseller, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential (Harmony Books), unlocks the secrets to moving beyond our present limitations to access a field of infinite possibilities. For the last thirty years, Chopra has been at the forefront of the meditation revolution and his latest book, Abundance: The Inner Path to Wealth (Harmony Books) offers the keys to a life of success, fulfillment, wholeness and plenty. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as “one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.” www.deepakchopra.com
