The War on Consciousness
CONTEMPORARY ZEN PRACTICE AND INQUIRYTHE WAR ON CONSCIOUSNESSFebruary 22, 2017Don't go back to sleep.No one should be diverted by self-oriented concerns—selfimprovement, self-promotion, self-satisfaction,victimhood, or self-soothing when we are in the midst of afull-out war on human consciousness on a scaleunimaginable in our time.The assault on our collective and our individual wisdom,compassion, and clarity cannot be ignored. It is happeningthrough the deliberate attacks on established sources oftruthful information: reputable and reliable news media,scientists, academic experts, associations, agencies, andinstitutions that have proven their value in our culturebeyond argument. Their occasional mistakes, oversights,and missteps cannot diminish their essential1/4---trustworthiness and importance in our social fabric. Thesereliable resources cannot be lumped together with thesources of propaganda, division, misinformation,misdirection, and all that contributes to greed, hatred, andparticularly, ignorance, as if they are all to be dismissed orridiculed. The information and analysis they provide cannotbe treated as somehow equivalent, or incredibly, worsethan the “alternative facts.”.This is a grave danger to civil society, to our relationshipswith other cultures, and to the environmental well-being ofthis planet. By creating a smoke cloud of bizarre antics,distorted, inflated rhetoric filled with lies, and drasticdestructive measures, there is a deliberate attempt tonumb and demoralize any opposition to this war onconsciousness. The sheer onslaught of damage to ourworld on every front—the environment, education, nationalsecurity, international relations, the economy, medicalcare, not to mention truth itself—is breathtaking and canleave us feeling hopeless and disabled. This must nothappen.This is a war whose front lines run right through every mindand every heart; there is no sitting this one out. There areno non-combatants or innocent bystanders. We are drafted,against our hopes and dreams for a safe, comfortable, andpredictable future, into the radical uncertainty of thisconflict. Further, it is a battle that can only be won personto person, heart to heart, mind to mind.Despite its many affordances, technology has been turnedagainst us, causing so much damage to the web of humanconnections based on mutual trust that we must beginagain, on the ground, to restore our own humanity. Wemust begin rebuilding sanity, truthfulness, kindness, care,protection of the vulnerable—wisdom and compassion andclarity, in other words—that is foundational to a livablesociety, and an inhabitable planet. We can do this, but our2/4---window of opportunity is short. The enemies of awakenedconsciousness are moving extremely quickly to consolidatetheir position, and to demoralize and disarm theiropposition. I myself am shocked at how quickly this ishappening, and the grave danger we are facing.The transformation and dedication of consciousness forthe welfare of all beings must be wholeheartedly, fearlessly,and tirelessly engaged and defended. This is our vow. Thistransformation can only happen relationally, through ourwillingness to connect across all boundaries, and to meet,with fearless optimism, the most difficult conditions. Thoseconditions might be as local as your uncle Frank, the racist,or as vast as our global ecosystem. You decide. Theopportunities are boundless, but please get moving. Youhave five great weapons: curiosity, mindfulness,connection, clarity, and care. They are cultivated throughour Zen practice, and they will serve you well.And please vigorously support those individuals andorganizations who are working hard to bring us truthfulinformation and analysis in the face of increasingly brutalopposition and repression. Make your presence felt insupport of the vulnerable, and in resistance to oppression.Be awake. There is no time to hesitate or ask directions.Move!3/4---ADMINISTRATIONCONTRIBUTE913 East 38th St., Austin, TX 78705Appamada is a 501 C (3) nonprofitContact us!supported by your contributions.Join our email list and stayThank you for your generosityinformed!and care!All content on this site is © Appamada 2009-2026Appamada is a trademark of Appamada, in use since January 1, 2009https://appamada.org/blog/2019/2/9/the-war-on-consciousness4/4
