Lynn Wilson Astrology

“The individual who lives according to spiritual values offers his/her being as the ultimate possession to surrender to the cause of human evolution.” Dane Rudhyar (1895-1985)

“Man is nothing else than evolution become conscious of itself.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955)

Most of my previous newsletters have provided quotes from visionaries like de Chardin, Jung, Einstein, the Persian mystic/poets, and Pogo. All these references point to the notion that we are inseparable, both from other humans and from other species. Indeed from all that there is in the universe. Science and mysticism are sounding more and more alike in describing this understanding, each in their own terms. In February 2004 I stated “When we realize that everything ‘out there’ is ‘in here’ and vice versa (as in It’s All Done With Mirrors), there is an embodied awareness of the ancient spiritual teaching that we are all One.”

I’ve also addressed the need to constantly monitor our thoughts and choices, as we affect the universe with every thought we express and every action we take. I’m currently reading a truly wonderful book by George Vaillant, titled Spiritual Evolution, a Scientific Defense of Faith (2008). He presents a wonderful case for hope, in presenting a comprehensive survey of human history combined with a great deal of information about the continuing development of the human brain and the correlation between this development in individuals and in the culture at large. His premise is that affiliative behaviors and feelings such as love and altruism are the ones that allow mammalian culture to survive and evolve. As an example, primates with a larger social network based on caregiving have more surviving offspring than those who display aggressive behaviors toward others.
Another book that fuels the appetite for hope is Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken (2007). Hawken’s book is subtitled “How the Largest Social Movement in History is Restoring Grace, Justice, and Beauty to the World.” Both books point to something really wonderful that’s happening in our world; something that is not covered by mainstream media. It is important to take an occasional break from the mainstream diet of disaster and fear and to be exposed to concepts that are more affirming.

The internet is making it possible to receive information in the moment and this is where the real “news” is. Twitter has become an amazing phenomenon. It has grown in directions not even imagined by its founders. There are wonderful networks being developed by conscious, aware participants who are supporting one another in their efforts to contribute to global awareness and understanding.

This moment in time was envisioned by many previous thinkers and writers such as de Chardin, Buckminster Fuller, Dane Rudhyar, Julian Huxley, Arthur Young and many current writers and thinkers. It is so important that we continue to feed our brains positive information. Much of what appears in the media appeals to the reptilian brain which is focused on the fight or flight syndrome. It is a very primitive part of our brain. And the less we listen to people who speak and act from this primitive position the better. Feeding your brain this sort of “news” causes a cascade of unfriendly operations in the bio-physical body that you inhabit.

The book that I am currently editing “Developmental Astrology” addresses this issue of development as individuals and as a culture. We all begin life operating largely from primitive, survival needs, focused on the self. As we develop, most of us learn that the rest of society matters, that we are all connected. At the highest stage of development astrologically we enter the signs Pisces and Aquarius which govern feelings of compassion and acts of humanitarianism. For some reason the more primitive, fearful mindset seems to currently garner the greatest amount of press, but I truly believe we are moving in this more highly developed direction as individuals and as a culture.

Continue to surround yourself with people who lift your spirits. And continue to feed your brain/soul with positive experiences such as quiet time in natural, beautiful settings. Vaillant’s book and others point to the fact that the “happy” hormones that connect us to other people are increased when we increase the frequency of our positive thoughts and actions. Our serotonin levels are increased through practices like meditation and yoga as well. If we can give ourselves permission/time to engage in these practices we’ll be doing the world a favor. Just as a pebble tossed into a pond continues to ripple outward, our attitudes and behaviors affect everyone and everything around us, including plants, animals and other people.

Blessings

Lynn