I forgot to add one more dimension of meaning to my short film, The Fall. The choice that it represents isn’t only a choice made before lifetimes. It is an ongoing choice, day to day, moment to moment, about how to engage the world. One way to engage (or really, not engage) is to stay in whatever temporary comfort realm one can manage with distractions, entertainment, addiction. Yet none of these can be permanent, and even the most sublime experiences of immersion in nature or lovemaking cannot be prolonged beyond their right span. At some point, the awareness grows that we are on the brink of a pit, that right beneath us, just a shift of attention away, is a world that begs our service. To rest, to recharge, is important in order to render that service well, but when the batteries are full, restlessness will seize even the most indolent among us. So, the choice to attempt a permanent disengagement from the world to abide in its pleasurable precincts is futile.
Thank you for this, Charles. I needed to hear this additional explanation. I said this to someone last year: I feel like I’ve been benched. My drive to serve has steadily been increasing and I’ve done bits and pieces, but can’t seem to find what’s mine to do. Be useful. I’ve been sidelined by some kind of an invisible force that’s holding me back, things not happening or falling in their place and I keep waiting restlessly, trying to open my eyes even wider to see what I’m missing, trying to transmit even louder to find some ally, someone I can do something with. In vain. The only thing that keeps working is when I pull back and really focus on my physical health and my son. So, I keep doing that. Maybe that’s it, .. is it? Maybe it is. Hopefully.
Maybe it is. I’m finally getting off the bench of hopelessness by writing a reply to someone I don’t know who asked a sincere question. It feels so good to go beyond focusing on my immediate health and that of my children and get off the bench of comfort and stand behind people who are raking their lives to make a difference. I’m joining Charles in supporting rfk’s presidential campaign. In every way I can. I was tired and a new blood 🩸 is beginning to course through my veins. My body appears to love this. Writing this is the best thing I’ve done all day. And is the change I’ve been waiting for. Thank you for your question Jana
Thank you for this clarification, Charles. It is a choice we make day by day--even hour by hour. And I also am guilty of not entering fully into the fray. I am trying, as I write--and throughout the COVID years--to walk a fine line between activism and spiritual commitment. I am still unsure about which path is mine to walk and maybe I really do have to travel both at different times? I am so drawn to speak out for RFK Jr. and for the brave lions of truth who are courageously fighting for us--including you. But I also recognize that there is a more subtle spiritual battle going on that requires that I take more time away from the fray in order to connect with this most important part of my being. And it is this part that has the potential to create the ripples that will have positive impact on future generations--that carry the real core of who I know I am and what I know I must do in service to humanity. What feels sad to me is that I feel divided in which one I must give my energy to. How much more powerful would be my contribution if I could choose one and contribute fully???
The Tao and Ying Yan of life. No need to intellectually "fully choose" one over the other. Both exist at the same time, the ebb and flow of life. Meditating on the Yin Yang symbol and what it represents can bring clarity, courage, power, joy, peace, hope..... in the present moment.
I'm so often a reluctant participant myself, Charles. Thanks for naming it. I was thinking just this morning, upon arising, that i want to do better. I thought, what if everyone on Earth, all 8 billion of us just did one thing daily more soulfully, more fully engaged, how much that would change the world.
I was touched by the film and also saved it to watch again when I feel hopeless in the face of all on this planet that’s not aligned to our highest good. That said, If it wasn’t for my own spiritual awakening I’d be living a life of materialism and hedonism. I still enjoy those aspects only now in proper measure to being a helper. What the film spoke to me is about soul contract and it echos what I understood during the spiritual awakening: that I’m here by choice, for a purpose, and that God as I understand God remembers my soul contract even when I get forgetful, lost or fall into despair. I also understand results are not guaranteed. Just cause we show up to do our inner and outer work doesn’t mean we’ll live to see a profound change in human relations. But, and I get this from my higher power, things are indeed better when we show up for the work. Without helpers, this planet would really be hell.
While I too have sometimes viewed others with an ungenerous eye, I have been through many highs and many lows and when I see people living "less than" I mostly say to myself "how can I judge without walking in their shoes?" and/or "but for the grace of God there go I." The "grace of God" for me includes many generous souls who reached out to help at various low points. Life is difficult and can at any time push any one of us to the brink or over it.
We all bring something to the table. Maybe that realization comes with age and life experience with a sense of humility and acceptance and grace that we are all in one way or another heading for the fall.
In a way it confirms what I have thought for a long time. That "spiritual" people are not really spiritual if they aren't engaged in some form of effective and loving activism. Most of humanity it seems, is numb to the daily assaults that humanity endures, i.e. war, violence, poverty injustices, atrocities, cruelties, lies, etc. Ignoring this, or being above it, or accepting the unacceptable is false, it is not really being honest and true to oneself. And the patent excuse, but what can I, one person do? is false as well. Everything that has ever been done was initially because of one person.
“All you can do for me is work on yourself. All I can do for you is work on myself.” —Ram Dass
“You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individual.” —Helen Keller
When we act from a place of righteousness, a lack of compassion, of believing we know best, we create from distortion and create karma. True service comes from a deep acknowledgement of all of us as fractals of One. “I am an other you.” So many “warriors” are in need of their own self-care, love and parenting.
I agree with Helen Keller. I am always evolving, but at the same time, am an activist. I think that they go together. When you are involved in something larger than your personal existence, like helping others or taking responsibility for realms beyond your family, etc. it adds meaning and purpose and helps one to evolve imho. In our community (chambalabamba.org), the idea is by serving others one serves oneself.
There's another interpretation of what the fall represented.
Before eating of the tree of knowledge, man and woman were in paradise.
There was nothing to worry about. One could live without needing to plan for much besides what to eat. This was a state not unlike what animals live in. There's some planning and thinking, but there is no need for higher level consciousness. You could also say that some tribes live this way, like the Pirahas of the Amazon who count one, a few, and many. There was no need to think about counting accurately.
The symbolism of eating from the tree of knowledge was when humanity started to need to know more things in order to survive. This came from moving from living as foragers and hunters and small agriculture into a system that required a lot more planning and preparation.
The Ishmael books by Daniel Quinn explain this in a similar way. Modern agriculture is what complicated life and as a result, we have a lot more things to think about. His stories also add how there's a side effect of this increase in cognition. We lost a lot of the wisdom of nature and life as agriculture is more like the caged domesticated version of nature.
thank you , once again for sharing your deep and honest work . so much of what you share i resonate with , and judging by other brothers and sisters comments so do a lot of people . im grateful for a feeling of connection when i read your works and the comments <3
I like the way you have encouraged others to examine this idea of service & activism.
But what if, in the process of falling into the negative reality of this planet, we lost the memory of why we came here and became trapped, part of the whole negative illusion that dominates the mass consciousness.
Became swamped with emotions of fear, guilt, superiority, condescension and rampant ego?
There’s a possibility that this fable has merit but there is only one way out…eliminating all negativity from our hearts, no longer putting bad feelings into our Mother Earth.
I was shocked when the beings who I thought to be human, jumped into the fiery pit of hell! I was sure they would have collectively buried all that chaos and misery, or at least walk away and leave it to its own scalding destruction.
I have gathered from the comments that the beings were angels. Therefore, Gods of a sort. Gods who jumped into the fiery pit of hell. The prevailing interpretation here is that the Gods were performing a holy deed by bringing first aid to the burning, butchered souls.
I see it differently. The "angels" were the metaphorical representation of humanity in harmony with nature, understanding that collective togetherness was the key to survival. But, no. Those "angels" were representations of a god which had itself become alienated, a mirror of the society that created it. As the "angels" were falling into the pit of hell they lost touch with one another. They became isolated, alienated from each other, not a unified cohesive strength, rather a bunch of disconnected individuals to find themselves in the middle of the fray, an unavoidable conflict between the few who own all and the many who own nothing. This is the source of present conflict.
I wonder which side the "angels" joined in their descent into the fiery pit?
Beautiful film, Charles. I cried like a baby. It was very moving, and it feels like I did take that plunge. It took me decades of inner work and healing to even begin the process of embodiment. Didn't start really feeling connected to my body or this world until my mid-thirties. Now I am in my late forties and I have never felt more vital, connected, or embodied. I feel more joy now than I ever have before, I feel more purpose, and I feel more hopeful. Life truly is a miracle, and that is what I am serving.
What I like about Charles' new direction (and the Kennedy24 campaign) is that they only offer personal accountability - no savior mentality, as far as I've seen). They provide motivation towards that outcome, but ultimately it is up to us.
In many ways the kind of philosophy that your film suggests is similar to religions over time...that encourages us to serve in the same way capitalism urges us to work. A sacrifice to a plan made by something outside of ourselves. this approach to living makes us highly vulnerable to flattery by politicians who see the benefits in being associated with a certain cause, to abuse, manipulation and control. And what we see are the results of lifetimes of this control over people. We don't actually question the very fundamental beliefs that Western society is based on ...ie why do we need centralised medicine, justice, education. If people were living in the way that felt true for them...the service within to these incredible divine bodies ...that is our God, our physical and mental health returns not through medication, we want to live more lightly on the planet and we discover skills and knowledge within us that hasn't been "taught" conventionally. All indigenous cultures know this because they have been living this way much longer than the rest of us and if we need any form of leadership that is the direction to look not propping up an expensive political edifice that will maintain another version of the status quo..ie.disempowered individuals.
Thank you for this, Charles. I needed to hear this additional explanation. I said this to someone last year: I feel like I’ve been benched. My drive to serve has steadily been increasing and I’ve done bits and pieces, but can’t seem to find what’s mine to do. Be useful. I’ve been sidelined by some kind of an invisible force that’s holding me back, things not happening or falling in their place and I keep waiting restlessly, trying to open my eyes even wider to see what I’m missing, trying to transmit even louder to find some ally, someone I can do something with. In vain. The only thing that keeps working is when I pull back and really focus on my physical health and my son. So, I keep doing that. Maybe that’s it, .. is it? Maybe it is. Hopefully.
Maybe it is. I’m finally getting off the bench of hopelessness by writing a reply to someone I don’t know who asked a sincere question. It feels so good to go beyond focusing on my immediate health and that of my children and get off the bench of comfort and stand behind people who are raking their lives to make a difference. I’m joining Charles in supporting rfk’s presidential campaign. In every way I can. I was tired and a new blood 🩸 is beginning to course through my veins. My body appears to love this. Writing this is the best thing I’ve done all day. And is the change I’ve been waiting for. Thank you for your question Jana
Thank you for this clarification, Charles. It is a choice we make day by day--even hour by hour. And I also am guilty of not entering fully into the fray. I am trying, as I write--and throughout the COVID years--to walk a fine line between activism and spiritual commitment. I am still unsure about which path is mine to walk and maybe I really do have to travel both at different times? I am so drawn to speak out for RFK Jr. and for the brave lions of truth who are courageously fighting for us--including you. But I also recognize that there is a more subtle spiritual battle going on that requires that I take more time away from the fray in order to connect with this most important part of my being. And it is this part that has the potential to create the ripples that will have positive impact on future generations--that carry the real core of who I know I am and what I know I must do in service to humanity. What feels sad to me is that I feel divided in which one I must give my energy to. How much more powerful would be my contribution if I could choose one and contribute fully???
The Tao and Ying Yan of life. No need to intellectually "fully choose" one over the other. Both exist at the same time, the ebb and flow of life. Meditating on the Yin Yang symbol and what it represents can bring clarity, courage, power, joy, peace, hope..... in the present moment.
I feel EXACTLY the same way, Dariel. Constantly vacillating.
I'm so often a reluctant participant myself, Charles. Thanks for naming it. I was thinking just this morning, upon arising, that i want to do better. I thought, what if everyone on Earth, all 8 billion of us just did one thing daily more soulfully, more fully engaged, how much that would change the world.
I'm glad you returned to say a little more. I appreciate your risk-taking sincerity and vulnerability here.
I was touched by the film and also saved it to watch again when I feel hopeless in the face of all on this planet that’s not aligned to our highest good. That said, If it wasn’t for my own spiritual awakening I’d be living a life of materialism and hedonism. I still enjoy those aspects only now in proper measure to being a helper. What the film spoke to me is about soul contract and it echos what I understood during the spiritual awakening: that I’m here by choice, for a purpose, and that God as I understand God remembers my soul contract even when I get forgetful, lost or fall into despair. I also understand results are not guaranteed. Just cause we show up to do our inner and outer work doesn’t mean we’ll live to see a profound change in human relations. But, and I get this from my higher power, things are indeed better when we show up for the work. Without helpers, this planet would really be hell.
While I too have sometimes viewed others with an ungenerous eye, I have been through many highs and many lows and when I see people living "less than" I mostly say to myself "how can I judge without walking in their shoes?" and/or "but for the grace of God there go I." The "grace of God" for me includes many generous souls who reached out to help at various low points. Life is difficult and can at any time push any one of us to the brink or over it.
We all bring something to the table. Maybe that realization comes with age and life experience with a sense of humility and acceptance and grace that we are all in one way or another heading for the fall.
Godspeed, the speed of Love, to all us world-weary, walking wounded of Heart and Soul 💖
Love will carry us through 🙏
In a way it confirms what I have thought for a long time. That "spiritual" people are not really spiritual if they aren't engaged in some form of effective and loving activism. Most of humanity it seems, is numb to the daily assaults that humanity endures, i.e. war, violence, poverty injustices, atrocities, cruelties, lies, etc. Ignoring this, or being above it, or accepting the unacceptable is false, it is not really being honest and true to oneself. And the patent excuse, but what can I, one person do? is false as well. Everything that has ever been done was initially because of one person.
“All you can do for me is work on yourself. All I can do for you is work on myself.” —Ram Dass
“You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individual.” —Helen Keller
When we act from a place of righteousness, a lack of compassion, of believing we know best, we create from distortion and create karma. True service comes from a deep acknowledgement of all of us as fractals of One. “I am an other you.” So many “warriors” are in need of their own self-care, love and parenting.
I agree with Helen Keller. I am always evolving, but at the same time, am an activist. I think that they go together. When you are involved in something larger than your personal existence, like helping others or taking responsibility for realms beyond your family, etc. it adds meaning and purpose and helps one to evolve imho. In our community (chambalabamba.org), the idea is by serving others one serves oneself.
There's another interpretation of what the fall represented.
Before eating of the tree of knowledge, man and woman were in paradise.
There was nothing to worry about. One could live without needing to plan for much besides what to eat. This was a state not unlike what animals live in. There's some planning and thinking, but there is no need for higher level consciousness. You could also say that some tribes live this way, like the Pirahas of the Amazon who count one, a few, and many. There was no need to think about counting accurately.
The symbolism of eating from the tree of knowledge was when humanity started to need to know more things in order to survive. This came from moving from living as foragers and hunters and small agriculture into a system that required a lot more planning and preparation.
The Ishmael books by Daniel Quinn explain this in a similar way. Modern agriculture is what complicated life and as a result, we have a lot more things to think about. His stories also add how there's a side effect of this increase in cognition. We lost a lot of the wisdom of nature and life as agriculture is more like the caged domesticated version of nature.
Living in harmony with nature is higher level consciousness. It is being one with all.
thank you , once again for sharing your deep and honest work . so much of what you share i resonate with , and judging by other brothers and sisters comments so do a lot of people . im grateful for a feeling of connection when i read your works and the comments <3
I like the way you have encouraged others to examine this idea of service & activism.
But what if, in the process of falling into the negative reality of this planet, we lost the memory of why we came here and became trapped, part of the whole negative illusion that dominates the mass consciousness.
Became swamped with emotions of fear, guilt, superiority, condescension and rampant ego?
There’s a possibility that this fable has merit but there is only one way out…eliminating all negativity from our hearts, no longer putting bad feelings into our Mother Earth.
Frances
I was shocked when the beings who I thought to be human, jumped into the fiery pit of hell! I was sure they would have collectively buried all that chaos and misery, or at least walk away and leave it to its own scalding destruction.
I have gathered from the comments that the beings were angels. Therefore, Gods of a sort. Gods who jumped into the fiery pit of hell. The prevailing interpretation here is that the Gods were performing a holy deed by bringing first aid to the burning, butchered souls.
I see it differently. The "angels" were the metaphorical representation of humanity in harmony with nature, understanding that collective togetherness was the key to survival. But, no. Those "angels" were representations of a god which had itself become alienated, a mirror of the society that created it. As the "angels" were falling into the pit of hell they lost touch with one another. They became isolated, alienated from each other, not a unified cohesive strength, rather a bunch of disconnected individuals to find themselves in the middle of the fray, an unavoidable conflict between the few who own all and the many who own nothing. This is the source of present conflict.
I wonder which side the "angels" joined in their descent into the fiery pit?
Beautiful film, Charles. I cried like a baby. It was very moving, and it feels like I did take that plunge. It took me decades of inner work and healing to even begin the process of embodiment. Didn't start really feeling connected to my body or this world until my mid-thirties. Now I am in my late forties and I have never felt more vital, connected, or embodied. I feel more joy now than I ever have before, I feel more purpose, and I feel more hopeful. Life truly is a miracle, and that is what I am serving.
so true, hopeless for me at 83yrs 0ld...just so sad..
If you don't like it what are you doing here then?
What I like about Charles' new direction (and the Kennedy24 campaign) is that they only offer personal accountability - no savior mentality, as far as I've seen). They provide motivation towards that outcome, but ultimately it is up to us.
I was responding to Jason Bickford not Charles.
In many ways the kind of philosophy that your film suggests is similar to religions over time...that encourages us to serve in the same way capitalism urges us to work. A sacrifice to a plan made by something outside of ourselves. this approach to living makes us highly vulnerable to flattery by politicians who see the benefits in being associated with a certain cause, to abuse, manipulation and control. And what we see are the results of lifetimes of this control over people. We don't actually question the very fundamental beliefs that Western society is based on ...ie why do we need centralised medicine, justice, education. If people were living in the way that felt true for them...the service within to these incredible divine bodies ...that is our God, our physical and mental health returns not through medication, we want to live more lightly on the planet and we discover skills and knowledge within us that hasn't been "taught" conventionally. All indigenous cultures know this because they have been living this way much longer than the rest of us and if we need any form of leadership that is the direction to look not propping up an expensive political edifice that will maintain another version of the status quo..ie.disempowered individuals.