Hello dear friends
We are in the midst of critical times in the history of humanity which will determine the future of us all.
During this period we are facing many challenges. Some of them for the first time in human history.
The climate crisis is threatening the future of planet Earth, a polarized, separating and populist political reality, a flood of biased and false information, the loss of values and more.
The meaning and significance of the period we are living in are present in the public’s dialog for a while but its essence revolves around the outcomes of our conduct as a society and their consequences.
In a new article that I wrote, I speak about the transition of humanity into the twenty-first century, the end of identity politics, and the formation of universal identity.
In this article, I would like to touch upon the less spoken side of these challenges and how we can overcome them.
In each chapter, I will speak about an additional layer of the world of reasons standing behind these challenges and mainly I would like to speak about our need as humanity to change the perceptions of the self and move from an identity revolving around religion, race, nationality, gender and political affiliation, to a universal identity that embraces the strength and beauty in diversity and grants each individual an equal right to express and realize themselves.
This is a critical stage in the evolution of humanity, one that will determine the future of humanity and its ability to survive the transition into the twenty-first century.
I wish you a pleasant and empowering reading.
Yours
Louharya
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Part one: We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
As time goes by and the situation around the world is becoming more and more tensed and polarized, I contemplate the urgent need to change the premise from which we observe and cope with the extreme and turbulent reality.
As Albert Einstein said:
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
Correctly stated!
In order to begin to cope with the present complex reality – we need to recognize that we are those who created the present situation and that it is a reflection of the collective world-view, norms, accepted traditions, and perceptions – as held by most of the public and its leaders.
Worldviews and perceptions determine our entire conduct – what are the accepted norms, and lifestyle. Most importantly, they define our self-identity, which leave us trapped within an endless loop of incidences that repeat themselves, time and time again, without any apparent solutions or a possibility for renewal, on a conceptual, practical, and moral level.
To cope with the many challenges that are now coming to the surface and reach the core behind these challenges, we need to change the way we think and see ourselves.
Meaning, the key to extricating ourselves from the extreme present situation, lays within the personal agreement, of each and every one of us, to be flexible and change the definition of our self-identity.
Part two: Programming consciousness at an early stage, which creates a self-identity
Starting from a young age, most people are exposed to and taught perceptions and templates that define their self-identity.
These perceptions are linked to accepted norms that dictate a particular and defined self-identity that determines the different functions and roles we play in society and the community.
These norms, perceptions, and roles change from one culture to another and create a sense of belonging, worth, and security.
The different norms, roles, and perceptions also dictate expectations and aspirations that often reflect the accepted norms that define one’s place in society, achievements, and identity rather than express the authentic and pure desire of the individual.
For example, let’s look at a child which was just born:
Does it have a defined identity?
When taking its first breaths of air, does it capture perceive itself as part of a certain religion?
Does this baby feel that it belongs to a particular nationality?
Is it aware of its physical appearance that defines race, body image, or sexual preferences?
Does it identify with a particular role in society or the community it was born into?
Does this newborn have a political opinion?
Many of you reading this will answer: Of course a newborn doesn’t have a defined and particular identity, because they haven’t experienced the world they live in and have not yet consolidated a self-identity. However, this newborn is not separate from its identity, because it is born into a religion, race, nationality, and gender that defines the infant and influences it without its knowing.
In actuality, this newborn has not yet formulated a self-identity because it has not been exposed to society or a particular community, which would shape its identity in accordance with the accepted norms.
As an infant and later as a child, the individual holds an inner and aware memory that the “self” is much larger than the personal images and roles. However, over time, this memory fades and a different self-identity is formulated, one that stands in accordance with the accepted norms.
From infancy, we are constantly influenced by the society we live in, which produces templates, accepted norms, and manners of conduct that create a complete syntax that outlines and defines the self.
We are exposed to our family’s opinions as well as those of society, our community, country, media, and additional factors, which permeate our consciousness and thought patterns with ideas that gradually become a real experience that shapes our self-identity and how the self perceives itself.
This is a process that programs the personal consciousness according to the structure of the collective consciousness and its social infrastructure. This programming of consciousness shapes the individual’s way of thinking and world-view, distancing them from their authentic identity, which is independent of the accepted perceptions that define the self.
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Part three: What is the authentic identity?
What is the self’s authentic identity?
What is the pure identity, which is distilled and free of external influences, before the individual has adapted to accepted norms and definitions that formulates personal consciousness?
This is an eternal cosmic identity that sees the corporeal reality as an opportunity to play the game of life on Earth, to wear costumes and images, and to play different roles and evolves as it gains experience as a human being.
Many times, when I have told people that the self-image they are identified with, which defines their identity, is not a representation of their distillate self – this has often awakened resistance and has undermined their reality.
For example – a woman whose sense of identity is defined by motherhood – by her role of being a mother, wife, and partner – the very thought that all this is only a role she plays and that it is not her true self, would pull the rug out from under her and undermine her sense of worth and self-identity, which allows her to feel secure in society and gives her a sense of purpose.
If I were to tell a nationalist that their nationality is only an image and that the true self is a universal self that doesn’t have a nationality, religion, skin color, or tradition – this would most likely awaken a deep-seated resistance because it negates all of that gives them meaning, a sense of belonging, identity and purpose.
The concept that the self is so much more than the acceptable images requires a radical change in our world perception and the manner in which we give meaning to our existence as human beings.
The key to such change is often seen in a discussion of the connection between the individual and their higher self, and between the individual and divinity.
This eternal cosmic identity has often been called – the soul, while the cosmic force that moves the universe and all of existence, is called – God.
Does God have a specific definition?
Is divinity Jewish, Christian, or Muslim? Black or white?
Is there only one way to express the connection with this universal divine force?
Does the soul have a religion, nationality, gender, race, political affiliation, profession, property, or any other image that we see in the physical world?
The answer is NO!
Divinity, as well as the soul, are intelligent dynamic fields, void of physical form or attachment to a particular image, but rather use them as a temporary means of expression.
The human being is a branch of this abstract field of intelligence and is the result and product of this field.
From a cosmic perspective, when a temporary human identity becomes the primary focus, this stands in opposition to the soul’s original intent. This dulls the memory of our cosmic origins and reduces the self from an expansive and eternal universal cosmic being into a human being defined by images and role-play.
Some of these images are socially accepted and considered normal, while others are considered unacceptable and inappropriate. Thus, in addition to the self-identity, a sense of worth which is tied to an experience of belonging or not belonging, being accepted or rejected, loved or not, is also being established.
This is how conflict and wars that stem from a struggle over hegemony and a failure to recognize that we all are part of the universal unity, which takes different and diverse expressions here on Earth, are being born.
We all come from the same source.
The cosmic house we come from is a realm of unconditional love, a realm where we all feel a sense of belonging and worth. In this realm, we enrich one another, thanks to our uniqueness, and diversity, as different parts of the same unity – parts of the same whole.
When this recognition is present, we can maintain “Unconditional Love”
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Part four – The connection between a universal identity and “unconditional love”
I have often read about and heard the term “unconditional love”.
I feel this term is often misused and that many do not really understand its meaning or intent, and therefore use the term incorrectly, in either an honest attempt to create harmony or cynically in order to establish self-promotion.
So, what is “unconditional love״?
To begin with, “unconditional love” is a state of mind, where we are aware of our difference and diversity while recognizing that all of us come from the same origin, regardless of the divisions and separations that often exist in our world.
“Unconditional love” is a realm within the heart that knows we all come from the same cosmic home, and together we compose a complete picture. This Knowing Heart leads to a sense of community, friendship, and solidarity.
“Unconditional love” is unconditional because it holds a sense of belonging and connection that comes from within, without seeking personal gain or a desire to receive something in return for goodwill and love. This is love that exists for the sake of love and holds a simple and pure connection that isn’t led astray by images and the different identities existing here on Earth.
In “Unconditional love” lies a connection to the universal unity we all belong to.
“Unconditional love” provides the infrastructure we can grow from, as a society, because it neutralizes the Identity Politics used by self-interest parties in order to divide and conquer, and thus gain sympathy and enlist support.
When there is “unconditional love”, the individual maintains a strong sense of personal responsibility and sets an example, because they care deeply for others and recognize that we are intertwined, influencing one another, and influenced by each other.
“Unconditional love” creates a realm that allows for everyone to fulfill themselves in an optimal and enhanced manner, with purity, continual dialogue, and mutual respect, while remaining committed to universal values that rise above the other identities.
These are prime-values that are connected to a universal self-identity that takes precedence and is placed before all other identities.
When the universal identity receives priority, identities that are defined by religion, race, gender, social status, and more – become secondary and serve the universal identity and its values.
The universal identity and prime-values give birth to a mutual agreement that is based upon the recognition that each one has the right to Enhanced Fulfillment, with freedom and well-being. Thus “unconditional love” is created, where each one is free to actualize their full potential
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Part five – Consolidating a universal identity and changing priorities. The key to healing Israeli society
If we relate to the above in relation to the socio-political situation in Israel – in order to heal and rehabilitate the society we live in, we need to create a profound change in awareness and consciousness, where many will have to change the identity they use to define themselves.
One of the main components of identity is tied to religion and tradition, which goes deep into the subconscious in a manner that prevents exposure to advanced and updated spiritual and moral alternatives that coordinate with the present spirit of the times and bring forward a new step of development.
The public that defines itself through traditions and religion, while tightly holding on to them, is extremely afraid of alternative spiritual and moral perspectives because they threaten the templates and framework that provide self-definition, a definite identity, and a sense of certainty, order, a clear social structure, and existential confidence.
This prevents the formation of a spiritual and moral alternative that can replace the religious perception, which favors the religious identity rather than the broader universal identity I’ve described.
A fundamental change in perceptions and the adaptation of a universal identity, create a fresh and new approach to spiritual life, freeing the individual from identification with the different roles they play, including sexual gender, skin color, religion, and nationality. This allows for the formation of a “universal citizenship” that ends the separation and encourages a sense of solidarity, shared fate, mutual enrichment, and unity of the different and diverse who come together to express a physical life experience that holds freedom, wellbeing, self-fulfillment, and prosperity. ♾
This will lead to a reorganization of social and political infrastructures, creating a change in priorities that will make competition over resources obsolete. This will lead to a balanced and harmonious use of resources because the public will take care of the different sectors with consideration, involvement, compassion, “unconditional love”, patience, and acceptance of all.
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In Israel’s polarized, divided, conflicted, and bickering society, which is saturated with identity politics – the formation of a universal identity is essential for the continuation of our existence.
A society that loses touch with the values that constitute its backbone, while making corruption, discrimination, exclusion, exploitation, and the disintegration of democratic values acceptable – all for the sake of one identity or the other, undermines the foundation of a developing society, which leads to an endless loop and eventually to extinction.
Israeli society needs to look deep within and do some introspection, where its citizens need to agree to define clear priorities that are not based on affiliation with one sector or another, religion, race, nationality, or political alliance with the right or left, but rather embrace the connection to a cosmic belonging that eradicates division, separation, norms, and traditions, which are the basis for discrimination, deprivation, arbitrariness, and violence.
The adoption of a universal identity shall help to clear away identities politics that creates division, weakening society, and breaking it down. The adoption of a universal identity shall lead to a new set of priorities and give birth to new manners of conduct that will influence all layers of society and enable the formation of a constitution that represents the universal identity, which shall become the prime priority.
The formation of a constitution that all factors of society are committed to, as that which represents prime-values and fundamental agreements, shall clear away outdated and biased belief systems that create an endless loop, and enable the profound change that leads to a new step of development.
This process will eliminate political populism that delegitimizes sectors of the public and the political map. In its place will be a premise and understanding that all men and women, Jews and Arabs, blacks and whites, Mizrachis and Ashkenazis (western and eastern Jews), straight or LGBT, right or left, and so on… are all part of a broader and complete picture, where everyone has a right to not only exist but also meant to enrich and balance one another, thus allowing for mutual enrichment, well-balanced society and political scene, that is harmonious and complete.
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Part six – consolidating the universal self – the 21st century human
This is an extremely important period of time.
Everything we know is unstable.
The reality around us is shaky, and the templates and norms we are familiar with are beginning to crumble.
The COVID-19 crisis accentuates this process of change. Everything is coming to the surface and compelling people to awaken from the role-play and limited images that detract from who they truly are, in favor of remembering our true identity.
For this to happen we need to create a profound and courageous change and agree to reevaluate many of the prevailing norms that have provided a foundation for our conduct.
This is a profound and fundamental change of consciousness that affects all layers of society and awakens a deep affinity with the distillate self seeded within each one of us. A self which holds no gender, religion, nationality, social or political standing. This distillate self exists beyond the role-play that people have become accustomed to and define all manners of conduct that are perceived as normal and legitimate.
This is a process that I call “Returning to the Genesis of Self” – a process of awakening that can be likened to awaking from many years of slumber.
I call this “Awakening an Ancient Memory”, which awakens a profound inner recognition that:
We are much more than the images and guise that we have grown used to wearing
We are connected to one another in a universal tie that cannot be denied or untied
We are much more powerful than we can imagine and perceive ourselves to be
Our essence is an eternal divine essence that plays the game of life here on Earth
Our universal identity exists above all other images, guise, division or attribution, and defines the universal values that are above everything else
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This requires a change in consciousness, values, and perceptions that will dismantle identity politics that divides society, leading to unity amongst all sectors of the public.
This is a process that all countries and nationalities need to go through, until we reach a point where everyone sees themselves as citizens of the planet, cosmic-universal beings that connect with one another, through dialogue, respect, mutual enrichment, and responsibility, while upholding universal values that stand above all else.
Here in Israel, there is a need for a change in priorities, from an emphasis placed on a survival mentality and experience of imminent danger and warring with an external enemy, to an honest and profound desire to fortify Israeli society from within, to rehabilitate the distorted political system that represents narrow-minded interests, and reinstate reconciliation between all sectors of Israeli society, regardless of gender, religion, race, or nationality.
This type of unity is based on a desire to create balance within our society, to clean it from exploitation, discrimination, deprivation, and close the gap between the different layers of society. Thus, leading to an harmonic distribution of resources, and to educating the public to a pluralistic world-view, where all humans are respected and all types of discrimination are negated.
This cannot happen without separation of religion and state, as part of prioritizing the universal identity over outdated traditions, and the establishment of a Constitution that outlines fundamental principles that all members of society are subject to.
Together we can formulate a common reality that holds mutual enrichment, renewal, and prosperity.
This will happen when we allow that ancient memory to grow within and remind us that we all come from the same source.
We all come from the same unity.
This will allow us to consolidate a new and expanded identity and will free us from the narrow and limited identity that divides, diminishes, and separates – in favor of our true self – an eternal cosmic being that is free and extremely powerful.
This is a personal and collective process. This process has already begun and we are all in it, as it is part of the evolution of humanity as it enters the 21st century and the new era.
Yours with much hope and love
Louharya
