Check Out "THE QUICKENING"

Is humanity collectively sitting under the bodhi tree? Perhaps. But the Buddha achieved what he did through his own efforts, through many incarnations. Has humanity as a whole done the same? Look around. Everywhere we see the effects of the spirit breaking through. Only to a very limited degree do we see the work being done to make it a healthy development. I commented elsewhere that this is like the birth of a child - the birth of the inner being in ourselves and in the world. But the birth of this child might go completely unnoticed in the turmoil of expectation and outward changes. The parable of the ten virgins fits in here (I don't intend to sound biblical or sanctimonious - it presents a picture). The ten went out to meet the bridegroom with their lamps. Five had oil in them, five did not. The bridegroom was delayed. The virgins slept. The bridegroom arrived in the middle of the night. The five who had oil in their lamps were ready and went to the feast. The other five did not. The bridegroom represents the inner self, the oil is the degree of effort made in preparation. How can we honestly expect unity consciousness without at least addressing the question of preparedness? Is it not equally likely that the event will come in 'the middle of the night' - i.e. its timing and impact will be completely different from what is expected? I don't wish to sound moralizing - but in terms of 2012 (or 2011) we should at least have the humility to think of that picture of the Buddha sitting under the bodhi tree patiently working to create the conditions whereby enlightenment was possible.