At last, 2012 has arrived! As we enter into a pivotal year for us and our world, it’s clear that the role of community has become key to the way we navigate the huge changes that life seems to be bringing our way. I’m taking the opportunity to personally express my deepest gratitude to you for all that you do to make the big community of our world a better place.
I want you to know that I’ve never been more optimistic about our future and the world that is emerging before our eyes!
From the oral traditions of ancient peoples throughout the world, to the theme of the world’s most cherished spiritual traditions, the significance of our 2012 “window of change” has been no secret. Our ancestors knew this time of change was coming, because it always does. They understood the cyclic nature of Earth’s shifting environment. (Fractal Time, 2009) They also knew that our future would be determined less by the changes themselves and more about us, and whether we choose to fight one another, or work to help one another, as we go through the changes. (Deep Truth, 2011)
For very different reasons, the best minds of today agree. Scientists, engineers, social architects, religious and spiritual leaders throughout the world are warning us that the choices we make in our immediate future will determine nothing less than the fate of our nations, civilization itself, and the future of life here on Earth. (Crossroads for Planet Earth, Scientific American, September 2005)
I’ve been asked by many people, from many places in the world, to comment on the events of 2011 and where I believe they’re leading and what we can expect for 2012 and the years ahead. Rather than responding to hundreds of letters individually I’ve chosen to answer in one letter to our community.
The Stage is Set:
It’s no secret that the world of the past is gone. The conventional ways of thinking and living that we’ve grown accustomed to — the ways we’ve thought of jobs, careers, money, wealth, security, healing and the role of America in the larger world are falling away before our eyes, faster than even those who knew the changes were coming could have expected. It is a fact that you and I are witnessing the greatest shift in power, wealth, resources and thinking in recorded history. And while the experts have their viewpoints regarding what lies at the root of specific crises and what “went wrong” with this or that, when we step back and look at the big picture, the reason for such massive change becomes obvious: the world of the past is no longer sustainable.
From our policies of energy, economics and technology to the way we think of security and how nations work together, the choices made in the past no longer work in the world of today. As we discover the limits and experience the consequences of the vast learning curve that has led to 2012, we’ve arrived at a turning point with only one of two possible outcomes – transformation or collapse.
Choice Point 2012
While ancient traditions and modern science underscore the magnitude of our time in history, they also remind us of a powerful fact: it is through our choices that the outcomes will be determined. The question is this: How do we tip the scales of peace, cooperation and healing in our favor? Specifically, how do we create an environment that supports fair and sustainable economies? That shares Earth respectfully and compassionately with all life? That bridges the issues that tear at the fabric of society?
The diverse body of work that I’ve developed over the past 25 years is my answer to these questions. The choices we make in life are a reflection of the way we think of ourselves, our relationship to the Earth, our past, and to one another. I believe that when the facts of these relationships are clear, our choices become obvious. Those of you that know me personally know that I’m an optimist. I’m also a realist. I’m optimistic about our future, while I realistically acknowledge that we are poised on the brink of what will either become some very bad choices, or very some good decisions. For me, knowing that choices exist, and that we’re living a time that gives our choices a greater potency, gives new meaning and renewed hope to this 2012 year of emergence.
The shift in thinking
So, what do I think 2012 has in store? Honestly, I can’t say because we’re still in the process of choosing. What I do know is that it will take every one of us, and the diversity of our beliefs and ideas, and the love for life that we bring to our global community to birth the world of our greatest destiny rather than succumb to the darkness of our greatest fears. For those who can embrace the learning curve of our past without judgment, the future becomes the palate for new industry, new jobs, new forms of expression, and new communities based upon sustainable ways of thinking, living, and being in our world. For those who cling to old and unsustainable ways of living by clinging to old and unsustainable ways of thinking, 2012 may, in fact, look like the fulfillment of history’s darkest prophecies.
Perhaps one of the most powerful keys to determining our experience of the months ahead comes from a shift in thinking that invites us beyond asking, “What can I get from the world that exists,” to asking, “What can I offer to the world that is awakening?” The way we answer this question as individuals becomes our collective answer to what comes next.
Personally, I’ve never felt better about the future and the possibilities that await us. Now it’s up to us. We’ve already made the choices of peace and cooperation in our hearts. Now it’s time for us to live those choices in our world. I look forward to working with you as we do so, together, throughout this new year of 2012, and beyond.
Thank you for posting this. I am a great fan of Gregg Braden, who has over the years, given me a new and hopeful way of thinking about the events we are witnessing. I’ve read all his books and am grateful for the knowledge and research and wisdom that he brings to bear in them.
But at this point, 2012, while I am compassioning and cooperating and doing my part to create love by opening my heart more each day, I am wondering if there isn’t something a little more specific about upcoming events. Or is it all completely cloaked in mystery even to the ones who see ahead?
thank you, gregg. i appreciate you so much.
Thank you from my heart. Your knowledge and energy must be echoed by us all. My sister introduced your work to me many years ago and I am sharing your books, speeches, comments, articles, blogs etc with friends everywhere.
Gregg, what a fabulous article. I would like to post this to my website as the February message?? ( of course with your copyright and name. etc)
I am one of those who see from birth the “big picture” in this world… being bor Shaman and the “observer”, and doing healing work since I was 3. I am now 53, and incredibly passionate about all the changes occuring, but mostly, not only are we in this new paradigm, but we are becoming more personal. This, I feel, is the ticket to this new world we are creating.
So I want to reply to your last statement… As someone who has seen the downfall of this economy occuring almost detail by detail for 20 years, I can honestly say that anybody making predictions today…scientific or otherwise, are just making predictions. In other words, no one knows what the people will choose. We can only influence through our hearts and actions. As you said in one of your talks, “even the Mayans couldn’t predict the outcome of the people in these times.”
I love you for all you are, all you do, and the “influence” you give to the world!!
Thank you. This is just what I, myself, feel…or think or so. For some time already I feel like a little kid which is about to get Christmas gifts…it is great. All is great 🙂
Here is another thought to consider.
What is taking place here right now on this planet and in the unseen realms beyond this planet began a long moment ago. Like a snowball that started rolling down a very high mountain more than 350 billions years ago, it has been picking up speed and getting bigger and growing continuously. Along the way, trillions of individual Consciousness’s of Self have been picked up by this huge snowball and are being carried forward with it, because they chose it. There is no stopping it and the direction it is going cannot be altered by anyone, no matter how they view their role as it continues.
I encourage each an every person to recognize, this is not about saving any other or being a really important part of process to anyone but your own Self. From the ashes of the past and present world, a NEW world will emerge and will look nothing like what is or has been. It is going to become more difficult as the energy of this huge snowball really begins to enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Up until now, many have been feeling the energy of this snowball as it approaches and BEcomes closer and closer to this Earth Plane/Planet! But it has not yet arrived and the impending arrival will literally knock “Everyones” shoes off and will for many bring them to their knees because of the Pure Energy of IT.
This snowball is not to BE feared, but it will bring with it, increased awareness, understanding and clarity. Then those who attempt to hold on to the old ways, old money, old belief’s, old traditions, old power structure’s and old forms of control will let go of the old. As much as I say let go of the “Old”, it is really about not BEing able to hold on to the “Old” any longer. Each will be faced with the choice to join the energy of it or be run over by it! It really does not matter! This is all about the death of the old and a birthing of the new. Those who hold onto the “Old” will die with the “Old”. Those who embrace the “New” will live on in the “New”. So there are and will be 2 choices….”The Old” or The New”! The vision for what will be and what it will look like already exists. The only choice any one person has is how will they choose? To fight it or to embrace it! Either way, it will within the process of experiencing this “Energy Snowball” only matter to YOU….because YOU will realize it is ALL about YOU awakening to the Self. The YOU, YOU never knew existed or was possible!
This snowball began rolling from an energy space and place well beyond this planet, yet has never been separate from this planet. The path of this “Energy Snowball” will continue through this planet as it moves on touching EVERYTHING and EVERYONE in “ITS” path and on past this planet and universe!!
You may believe You are ready, but how can You BE prepared for that which you have never experienced or knew was possible before! So as it shows up, face it and know it’s true strength has not yet been felt or experienced.
Gregg Braden, I have seen it….”The Vision” and “The Snowball”! Your words and insight come up far short of even beginning to present or interpret what is taking place and why! But this too, in the timeliness of the process will change!!
Thanks for the article!
Thanks for stirring the imagination of many!
Sincerely
Rick Schuster
Thank you for posting Greg’s article and for continuing the spread of light to others!! Rick..what a great comment. I enjoyed it so much i posted it to my facebook wall(I gave you credit of course) 🙂
Enjoy your day and weekend everyone!!!
Mark
Thanks Mark! I appreciate your comments! If you desire too, send me a friend request!