By D. Witte

Are you disappointed and downhearted that the promises of the New Age haven’t quite developed into the positive experience you expected? We expected it to be better, right away, like the magic of a Disney movie and the response time of our cell phones. And, we seem to have “forgotten” it will take a while to turn around, after all, the Piscean Age began around the time of Christ and lasted 2,160 years while the Aquarian Age has only just begun, but it too will last 2,160 years.

As it dawns on us, there was the caveat of change in the mix, to get better, we realize things must change. People must change; our thoughts must change. We are in a state of constant conflict as humanity. Some want society to be more controlled and safer, while others want more freedom and creativity. How can these seeming opposites find resolution?

Some want to see Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) “obliterated” while others are only beginning to experience the benefits of these programs. Some want to shut down the borders, stop all immigration and in fact reverse past immigration policies. Meanwhile, others seek the promises of freedom and economic stability as primal needs to be met by migrating here. These ideas represent conflicting beliefs that must be resolved to get to a place of harmony. We believe what we think is right and separate ourselves into opposing sides.  What gives?

I’m talking about beliefs…not opinions, because beliefs are pretty much hard-wired, but opinions are more flexible. Beliefs are often based on our life experience and nurtured by cultural and religious teachings. These beliefs are difficult to change even when we want to. Consider a belief that “I’m an introvert” or “I’m too dumb,” or I’m a Christian” or “I’m a smoker.” Old beliefs need to be taken out from time to time and examined and exposed and changed if they are no longer true. It takes a lot of experience and support to prove the opposite to ourselves.

Beliefs came to a confrontation recently, when the Buddhist Monks March for World Peace from Texas to Washington, DC was conducted. Seems like a noble, selfless cause. Who could object? As I followed the news coverage, I came across an incident recorded on YouTube in which a man in Monroe, GA was carrying a huge sign, blocking the progress of the March.  He was shouting desperately warning the monks to stop their March or they were going to Hell. “Don’t go to Hell” he pleaded and hollered for an extended length of time. (He obviously genuinely believed his claim.) At the same time, the Monk responded calmly that they were not going to go to hell, “we are walking for peace,” he said serenely, “I love you, we have our own journey. Let us walk our peace.” (Expressing their belief).

Observing this, I felt very uncomfortable. I was conflicted because I support the cause of the monks for peace and the way they did it, but at the same time, I support the rights of others to object. At the same time, I felt sad for this man whose beliefs left him so upset that he was acting in a judgmental fashion. I wanted him to stop. “In other words, don’t trample on my peace.”

In retrospect, I wonder if the man’s judgement (masked in Christian love) was simply an act of projection. This psychological term is used to describe a defense mechanism where individuals unconsciously attribute their own unwanted thoughts, feelings, or traits onto another person or group. If so, he must have a tremendous amount of fear of going to hell he was trying to unload. Something to consider…..

So, we have a Christian and a Buddhist with seeming conflicting beliefs. But, where the conflict is, is in the application of those beliefs. Buddha and Christ both had similar key objectives. Buddha hoped to “end suffering” by teaching the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path and Jesus taught the Golden Rule, “Love God and Love one another.”

Why is there a conflict on the individual level, when both religions have a common goal? Caring for each other. We get so caught up in living on a day-to-day level; we sometimes forget our higher ideals (beliefs). Can we each examine our beliefs and focus instead on the beliefs we share in common? Can we join Team Human and respect how others have come to their beliefs and still accept and care for them? Can we move from “me” to “we” in a new era of global harmony and community consciousness and fulfill the promise of the Aquarian Age?

And just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a Butterfly.