Save Your Soul

The documentary '180 Degrees South' was an inspirational journey to follow. As we see this one man following the footsteps of his heroes on his travels to Argentina, it's hard not to question our own journey. Sitting in the front row, captivated by the awe-striking images of nature I kept thinking 'What am I doing sitting in a classroom?" "I should be right there, in nature, escaping from it all." But this is where the illusion begins. To some extent, we all want to flee from the dull reality we all exist in. We all feel there is more out there and we must avidly search for it. Isn't that the pursuit of happiness? And because we are all searching, we never really feel in the present moment. I think we are so disconnected from ourselves, our families, nature, and are so afraid that if we stop to realize where we are, who we are, we will see that we have nothing.

Where are our ties nowadays? We have no relationship to anything other than to ourselves; and we all know what a selfish, egocentric relationship that is. It was said in the movie that "Fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all." What is unknown is why we are all here. What is our purpose? And who wants a purpose; doesn't that require accountability and responsibility...when have we ever wanted that? It was gut-wrenching to hear the discussion in class after the video. I remember input about just 'doing what you can,' 'stopping to smell the roses,' and 'smile at someone.' And as much as I can agree with all these, it's a challenge to whole-heartily support it. Our world is in so much pain, that unfortunately one smile will not change anything. The self-enlightening traveler to Argentina was just that, only the "self." How can we incorporate the 6 billion other people on this journey? We  need to end the suffering in the world first in order to achieve this enlightenment.

We all can't go on some spiritual journey across the world and document it for the masses. That's just a story to be told. But who's to hear our story right here, right now? The story of our earth dying. The story of our broken families. The story of our self-hatred. It's the etic perception; looking in on the situation from the outside. Detaching ourselves in order to see where we are and where we should be. These are all trappings we have been conditioned with, and I truly believe there is a possibility of reversing it and not feeling like we're living in bondage. I feel this oh too often. It's hard not to feel like a victim in this world of victimization. But there is beauty in the breakdown. So maybe we are all finally breaking down to eventually rebuild our minds. For the mind is the most powerful thing we as human beings have. I believe we are all one mind. And along the way we have just separated from that union, that brotherhood. This is where we must return. I wish I had the answer to the world's problems. All I know is that knowledge is freedom, and we are all seeking exile. The higher our awareness, the more we are able to see our impact and respond accordingly.

I am committed to releasing the shackles that are ignorance. This is where the journey begins, and ends in liberation.