Life Is But a Dream

“There’s a dream that I see, I pray it can be” – Chan Marshall

I was talking to a good friend last week, who asked me why I was writing a book about people getting in touch with their WILD sides.  I thought about it for a moment, and realized I had no idea.  I was okay with that.  Some boring answers, like, “I’m trying to better the world”, “It’s none of your business”, and “Why, are you jealous?” were briefly considered.  Then something came up, my mouth opened, and I started talking about my dream.

“I’m using this book as a tool to fine tune my dream”, I said.  We all have a dream, a vision of the way we’d like this life to go.  It’s like a movie going on inside my head.  Sometimes it looks like My Dinner With Andre, sometimes The Matrix, sometimes, an awful soft-porn flick.  Usually, it’s a mixture of all of these, along with scenes from movies I’ve never seen, ideas I conjure up on the spot, novel images I’m dreaming into existence for the very first time.  It’s my dream, it changes as I evolve.  I strive to be creative.  I try not to judge.  Whatever it is that I’m witnessing as I peer out of my eyes, is what I call my dream.

Is this unfolding dream really happening?  Is what I interpret via my five senses an indisputable truth?  Who knows.  This has been widely debated, and I’m not interested in going there right now.  What I see it as – this thing happening in front of me each and every day – is an incredible dream, with me behind the wheel, driving it, dreaming it, making it happen.

What my response to my friend really meant, was – in my mind, I see the world moving in a certain direction, a way I’d like it to go.  My book is a mouthpiece for me to shout at the top of my lungs, “THIS IS HOW I WANT MY DREAM TO LOOK!”  —> I want to live in a world where people are more connected to their WILD sides.  I want to live in a world where people feel like they truly know themselves.  I want to live in a world where people understand their place, their dreams, and move to embody them.  And so, I write.

De-evolution

I remember the disturbed, yet curious feeling that came over me after hearing the 80s band, Devo, for the first time.  Having no idea what these strange dudes were up to, I watched their music video for “Whip It”, and was left even more confused.  I was ten years old.  It wasn’t until years later that I figured out what Devo were up to – beyond their dry, fantastic punk/pop hybrid – they were doing what many great artists do, they were expressing what they saw in the world.  What set them apart was the fact that Devo were marching down a much more unconventional and incendiary path than most pop bands at the time.  They were a “concept band”, and their concept was the de-evolution of the human species.

Devo reserved no hesitation in calling out those who considered the beer-bong the essence and depth of life.  Nicknames like “spuds”, and “blockheads” were dished out freely and easily in Devo’s lyrics.  They would not accept the fact that the people who surrounded them in America were less than inspired, and willing to take on a backward, less evolved existence out of fear and/or laziness.  Devo were interested in an evolved culture, and reacted musically because there was little in our popular culture to celebrate.  Somehow Devo found a vein into mainstream radio and video markets.  They’d achieved quite a coup.

So now, as we are set to witness the reforming of the band at the Winter Games in British Columbia, followed by an appearance at this year’s Coachella festival, the question still remains:  Are we as a species evolving, or de-volving?  Is a band like Devo more relevant now than ever before?  Did they hit a stroke of genius with their “people ain’t all that smart and are getting stupider” schtick?  How would Sarah Palin answer these questions?

While there is no clear answer, it’s interesting to note that there seem to be two diverging human plans in emergence.  One is that of the “evolved” – the one who is conscious of his/her place in the world, and in general lives a life intended to learn, grow, create, and inspire.  The other is that of the “de-volved” – this manifests in one who is caught in the treacherous throes of fear and/or laziness and rather than expressing anything novel, returns again and again to his/her old stories.

I like to be surprised by works of art – to hear a song or watch a film that blows me away, and brings something new into the world.  I don’t like the feeling of banging my head against a wall, trying to distract myself from the dull sounds of a lifeless, derivative, uninspired song – nor the feeling of leaving a movie theater after suffering through a lazy, careless film that actually leaves me feeling less intelligent.  We are both evolving and de-volving at the same time.

I wonder where most people believe we are in our current phase as a human community.  It would be a mistake to dwell on the oft depressing reality of our collective de-evolution.  That ain’t no fun!!!   What sounds much more interesting to me is to focus on the bright lights swirling around the earth in the forms of inspired artists, conscious scientists, righteous explorers, and brilliant leaders (to name a few).  There is much to be proud of at the end of the day.  I’d say we’re functioning at somewhere near a B+ level.  I can’t help but hope that in a day soon to come, we will have no need for a band like Devo.  Let’s give those old dudes a break!

“Which is the most universal human characteristic, fear or laziness?” – Richard Linklater, from Waking Life

One

I’ve been working on an article (soon to be published elsewhere) about the value of one person.  What exactly is one person worth?  Can one person, alone, really accomplish anything of true significance?  People have proven that they can excel in the workplace, support their families, and create incredible works of art.  In groups, we have shown that we can build communities, even nations.  As an assemblage, we make laws, pass them, and enforce them.  We elect our leaders, and sometimes, we decide that they are no longer worthy of their post.  Most of the decisions we make regarding the country we live in, are done as a group.  A majority of the choices we construct concerning the human community as a whole are made by a majority.  So where does the individual stand in all of this?

We are often reminded that it takes millions to move a mountain, an army of like-minded individuals to make a significant difference.  But how does this happen?  How do a million people get together and make a decision about something?  Maybe if enough messages were sent via television or the internet, people would take notice and join together.  This seems to have worked well for McDonald’s.  They, as a corporation, have sent out a constant barrage of messages over the years, and in turn have convinced billions of people to eat their food.  Genius!  Could one person, alone, have done that?

Perhaps if one person stood at the highest point in their particular city, and had at their disposal a microphone and a gigantic set of speakers, he/she could influence a good number of people to support a particular idea the way they do, and act on it.  It’s doubtful, however, that they could get billions of people to support their cause.  Unless, of course, they were incredibly charismatic and had really, really big speakers .  So what, exactly, can one person really hope to accomplish?

It could be, that individuals who are trying to make a great difference in the world should throw in the towel, wrap it up, as they can’t hope to compete with large groups and corporations.  Maybe they should focus on playing the lotto, and if they win, use the earnings to buy television air time like that sly company, McDonald’s does.  Or perhaps, looking at the model of how large groups and corporations handle their business is not the way to go at all.

What is it that each of us, as individuals control?  We control ourselves. That is really all we have power over.  So, while it is ultimately tempting to look externally for answers and successful models, it may be exponentially more prudent to focus inward, instead.  Rather than grabbing a microphone and speakers, and raging off into the distance, why not just sit down quietly, and consider a more productive approach?

But first, we need to address the fact that most of us don’t even know what it is we want, or what power we actually possess as individuals.  Do we all, at the core of our being, really just want to sell hamburgers?  Not that there would be anything wrong with that, but I would guess that there are other, more interesting goals to be reached.  Imagine for a moment, what it would be like if all of us, at the same time, reflected for one hour on what things are truly important to us in life.  I have a hunch that the entire human community would move at least one baby-step closer to a greater, more satisfying level of evolution.

It could just be that as an individual, you possess something greater than any group.  It may be that you alone can accomplish far more than you’ve allowed yourself to believe is possible.  Why not ask yourself and find out?

Idea Jam ~

What is it about meditation that appears to be gaining more and more attention from Westerners?  How does sitting still and closing one’s eyes benefit anyone?  What, exactly, is so appealing about this ancient Eastern tradition of self-reflection?

There is currently a widespread belief in the United States that meditation can provide us with improved health and a reduction of stress and anxiety.  Considering the alternatives, it makes sense that so many have turned to rumination as a possible remedy to the side effects of this American life.  Some, like surrealist film director, David Lynch, have even chosen to turn meditation-awareness into a personal crusade.  Lynch’s efforts to make Transcendental Meditation available to children in elementary schools across the country are a sign of the times.

Buddhists talk about the importance of quieting the mind – eliminating the constant chatter of our conditioned thoughts.  This concept makes so much sense, considering how we as Americans drive ourselves crazy with our own, daily worries and concerns.  What if you didn’t have to suffer the wrath of your daily stresses?  How would that affect your life?  The idea, here, is not to forget about that bill you have to pay; rather, it is to note it, honor it, and move on, so that you can accomplish everything you need to on a daily basis, and actually enjoy doing it!

There are those who would argue that the distracting thoughts in our heads keep us from focusing on the truly meaningful ideas that are waiting to come through; ideas that often remain just out of reach, blanketed by the myriad of musings sprinting in every direction.  This is a particularly significant notion for the artist.  Whether faced with writer’s block, or the first stroke on a blank canvas – how much easier would the process be if one could cut through the virtual idea jam going on inside his/her head, and focus clearly on the particular idea, or set of ideas, that allowed his/her creation to take flight?

I have been meditating for much of my life.  My mother taught me about self-reflection when I was very young, and I’ve continued the practice right up to this present moment.  Do days, and sometimes weeks, go by without a proper “sit down and shut up”?  Yes.  But the effects that rumination have provided me in my life are priceless, and that is why I always return.  It’s interesting to note that once one begins a meditation routine, the benefits of regular practice are evolutionary.  While at first the value may be seen in reduced stress and improved health, one can go on to discover that the entire scope of how they are living might improve.

An easy way to begin is to sit comfortably, close your eyes, and simply focus on your breath.  That’s it.  Five minutes is all it takes.  Meditation can often be challenging in the beginning, but the rewards are well worth it.

A Word On Conditioning ~

Modern psychology tells us that by age four, we are completely set in our ways; our learned behavior influenced mainly by our parents and anyone else who had a shot at shaping us during that time.  It’s pretty amazing when you think about it – four years - that’s exactly how much time we were given to absorb everything in our midst and become essentially who we are, and who we will remain the rest of our lives.

Of course, it’s not really who we are. It’s just that the conditioning is laid on so thick during the first few years, and we happen to come into this world as completely open canvases waiting to soak it all up.  But underneath all of that shaping, still lies the true being that we can potentially become; the soul of who we are and who we are meant to be.  Who are we really?  For most, the conditioning sticks for good, and we move through life as, more or less, that same four-year-old.  Yes, we grow bigger and smarter, and change physically.  We develop new interests and meet new people.  But our general disposition regarding the way we approach and think about life rarely changes.

Do we have the power to strike the massive heap of conditioning upon us and return to who we truly are?  Yes.  Is it easy?  No.  During the course of history, people have turned to many sources for major change.  Meditation, introspection, shamanic methods, spirituality, religion, psychology, and medical drugs – these have all been used toward this end.  Are some methods better than others?  How would you choose to approach change in your life?  Is it okay to accept our conditioning and live our lives according to how others have molded us?  Or do we want to experience the novel path of creating ourselves?

At the very least, I believe it’s important to ask the questions -Who am I now?  Who do I want to be?  What is it I’m meant to be doing on this planet? Then one can begin an internal dialogue, and venture further if interested.  A simple way to begin this process is to sit down, close your eyes, and focus on who you are.  Simply meditate on your life in general; then, specifically, focus on who you truly are inside.  Perhaps you will discover a side of yourself that has been waiting to emerge.  By allowing the mind to wander around the idea of who we are, we can experience a new perspective of ourselves that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.  Try it.  You might be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

Wild Within ~

What does it mean to be wild?  The term is often misunderstood in today’s culture.  When confronting the word, people generally think of animals, criminals, or other beings “out of control”.  It is my opinion that none of this resonates with the true meaning of the term wild. To be truly wild is to be in touch with oneself.  It is to return to a natural state, free of domestication.  This doesn’t connote running to the nearest forest, dropping down on all fours, and howling at the moon (although that does sound fun ), but rather a focused understanding of who we truly are, and why we are on this planet at this particular point in time.  That is what it means to be wild.

So how is this useful?  It is my opinion that part of what is lacking in the current human community is the innate understanding of what it means to be wild. I believe we have spiraled out of our natural, powerful command of what it means to be human.  We could go on and on about whether or not things like shopping, watching television, and war are useful pastimes for a culture to engage in – but I can’t deny the feeling in my gut that tells me we have somehow lost our way.

What do you think of when you contemplate the word wild? Does it bring about a positive or negative feeling?  When is the last time you felt truly wild? I believe that if we as a human community were able to take the time to consider these questions, and take the necessary steps to return to what we consider the most important reasons for being on this planet, then the entire human community could not help but move forward in some way.  One way to start is by asking yourself – what opportunities do I have as a human being right now?  Why am I on this planet at this particular time?  Am I here to improve things?  Am I in touch with who I truly am?

Immediate Community ~

As an American citizen, I’m constantly checking in with my country’s current “state” of events.  Not so much what transpires on the nightly news, but more what is happening around me – the tangible events occurring in my community, and in the communities of my friends and family scattered throughout the country.  As the powerhouse nation at the top of the hill, America’s responsibility to the rest of the world is off the chart.  And what, or who, is it that holds this responsibility?  Do we simply look to our “leaders” in government?  Or do we each take a stake in the enormous task at hand of bettering the place we live?  Is voting and electing the proper officials enough?

What happens in my immediate community is what is on my mind right now.  My neighborhood, the building I live in, the people who I see every day and share my life with.  This is the verifiable truth of who I am as a person.  How I relate to my community measures who I am and what my experiences are.

What would happen if the American people paid less attention to the “news”, and instead focused more on learning about and improving their immediate communities?  And what constitutes our immediate sphere?  We do – each of us as individuals.  So perhaps the most vital question is – what can each of us do to better ourselves?

Greetings!

Welcome to my new blog – THE CALL TO BE WILD.  The intention here, is to discuss various ideas regarding human evolution – not confined to the history of our development, but more specifically focused on the current human disposition.  Where are we, right now, in our journey as a human community?  What would we like to improve?  Are you truly content and thriving in your day-to-day life?  I’ll be posting my take on all of this for your viewing pleasure but it won’t be the least bit vital if the people reading (you!) don’t chime in with their thoughts, concerns, and ideas.  So please, by all means, leave a comment!

In addition, I’ll be providing occasional excerpts from my forthcoming book: THE CALL TO BE WILD: A Guide To Reaching Your Ultimate Potential In America.

So here we go ~ happy blogging!