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Interdependent
Happiness
by
David Pond
Happiness isn’t
what it used to be, but then again, we are not what we used to be,
either! We are evolving and realizing more of our human potential. That
is not an easy statement to back up with all the evidence of collapse
and chaos that has been with us since the start of the century. But
what is really going on? In the big picture we are evolving into the
oneness of the family of humanity. We’re not there yet (far
from it), but the handwriting is on the wall: we are going to have to
solve our global problems as a global family. It is humanity itself
that must rise to save humanity. The interconnectedness of our issues
is becoming apparent at all levels: economic, environmental, energy,
and food issues are all forcing us to deal with situations outside of
ourselves that are impacting our own well-being.
The wound of humanity is
rooted in our lack of understanding of the interdependency of all life
and thus far, humanity has demonstrated a tremendous lack of humanity
towards humanity. We have been like cells in the same body fighting
each other. Imagine your hand sneaking up and attacking your face! We
need our visionaries to help us awaken to a larger understanding of how
interconnected all of life is.
Happiness in difficult times is hard enough to come by, but in this
evolving global community, our happiness is ultimately interdependent
within the world in which we live.
Is Being Happy
Politically Correct In Tough Times?
These are tough times. Isn’t it rather trite to focus on
happiness in such times of suffering? Tacky? Politically or spiritually
incorrect? The question gets raised in discussions of happiness. The
truth is that happiness is harder to come by at present because of all
of the disruptive influences, but it is a wonderful tonic for these
times!
We are just starting a Saturn opposite Uranus Cycle that will happen
five different times from November 2008 through the summer of 2010.
This last occurred 1964-66 and was, as now, a time of tremendous
upheaval of the status quo. The news here is to not look for solid
ground for quite awhile, so if your happiness is based on waiting until
things settle down again, you’re in for a long wait. It is
better to find fleeting moments of happiness during these wild and
crazy times.
There is a great affirmation of this intention:
"I do not need things to go right in order to be
happy.
I do not need people to behave themselves for me to love them.
I am free!”
Wouldn’t it be
great if we could sustain this liberated state? But it is most often a
fleeting moment, like a whistle on the wind: there for a moment and
then gone, swallowed up in the chaos of our times. This is
unconditional love and happiness that doesn’t require
everything to be just right with everyone around you for you to feel
good. When we quiet ourselves to what we think we want and need, the
pure joy of being will surprise you by its ability to take
delight in that which is already there and free.
Hexagram #22 from the I
Ching1, Grace, teaches the path of clarity
within, quiet without:
“This is the tranquility of pure contemplation. When desire
is silenced and the will comes to rest, the world-as-idea becomes
manifest. In this aspect the world is beautiful and removed from the
struggle for existence.” This is the world of art, beauty,
nature, the fleeting moments that they are, allow us to temporarily set
aside our worries and bathe in the sweet glow of existence. This is
grace.
Click here to
read
the full article.
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An Interview with
David Pond, author of The Pursuit of Happiness
by
Llewellyn
1.
You’re an astrologer; you’ve even published other
books about astrology (including Astrology & Relationships
and Mapping Your Romantic Relationships). When
did you become interested in the chakras? 
My interest in astrology and
the chakras grew out of the same period of time for me. It was at the
end of the 60s and start of the 70s. I was trying
to find my way in all the traditional ways and was diligently working
on becoming a teacher, yet something was missing. At this time my
sister Lucy, a well-known astrologer in Seattle, did my first astrology
reading, and I found an incredible tool to explore my inner world. From
that launching I found Ram Dass’s book, Be Here Now, and in
the back section there is a yoga series; the first time I tried it I
said to myself, “I’ll be doing this the rest of my
life.” This is a prophecy that has held true. This led me to
the chakras, and again, as with astrology, I found a healthy model for
exploring consciousness. I have studied quite a bit of psychology and
see its value, but it does tend toward a pathological model of
exploring human consciousness. That is why I love both the chakras and
astrology as healthy maps for understanding the complexity that we are.
2. What exactly is the chakra
system? For something we can’t see, why is it so important?
The chakra system is
essential in how we receive universal life energy and make it available
for all of the various human functions. We are energy, as all of life
is energy, and the universal life force flows through us as it does all
of life. The chakra system is our connection to this universal life
force; it is how we receive this universal energy, how we store it, and
ultimately express it back out into the universe. Each of the seven
chakras governs a different aspect of the total human experience. The
lower three deal with personal security, taste, and ambitions, while
the upper three deal with spiritual and universal issues and our
connections to them, with the fourth chakra being where they meet at
the heart. It is so helpful to spend some time learning the various
attributes of each of the chakras; it is not overly difficult (there
are only seven). Then, when a problem or difficulty arises, you will
recognize which chakra is out of balance and can learn what to do to
bring it back into balance within yourself.
3.
Your new book, The Pursuit of Happiness,
approaches each chakra as a level of happiness. Why do we need to
integrate our chakras for personal satisfaction?
Click here to read
the full interview.
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Mercury Retrograde: Above The Hype and
Beyond The Spin
Marguerite
Manning
The very words "Mercury
Retrograde" send most people into a tailspin. Every 88 days, the planet
Mercury seems to drift backwards in the solar system, wreaking 21 days
of havoc. Or so it seems. Astrologer Marguerite Manning, author of Cosmic
Karma, thinks we should give Mercury Retrograde
just a little more attention than hiding under the covers until Mercury
goes direct again. With Mercury going retrograde on January 15, 2009,
how will you take advantage of the situation?
Read More
Setting a Clear
Intention
by
Katalin Koda
As the New Year approaches, our thoughts often turn to letting go of
the old, making new plans, and forming New Year’s
resolutions.
The New Year is our chance to reinvent ourselves, to take stock of what
we have experienced over the past year and what we hope to welcome in
as the seasons turn. Katalin Koda, author of Sacred Path of Reiki,
discusses how we can remain balanced and positive in these times of
chaos.
Read More
Seasons of Tarot:
Yule
by
Barbara Moore
Despite the decorations, parties, and gifts of the holiday season (or
perhaps because
of them), this can be a particularly trying and stressful time of year.
During this season of darkness, it helps to be light. Barbara Moore
illustrates how to use the Tarot to bring light to a season deserving
of
light.
Read More
The
Faeries of Yuletide
by
Edain McCoy
While the Yule Log is smoldering in the fireplace, warming your house
with its golden glow, casting dancing shadows on a sparkling Yule tree,
the scene might not immediately evoke images of faeries. It should,
however. Author Edain McCoy details just how these spritely guardians
do not all hibernate in winter, and how they should be honored during
these chilly months of warm celebration.
Read
More
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