Chuck’s Place: Apocalypse Is Literally Unfolding

Tough nut unfolding…                              – Photo by Jan Ketchel

Inspiration for this blog comes directly from my reading of my dear friend, and noted Jungian analyst, Michael Gellert’s recently published book: Far From This Land  A Memoir about Evolution, Love, and the Afterlife,  which includes his soul’s profound interactions with the spirit of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. His book also provides a serious exposition of Jung’s technique of active imagination, in combination with dreams and visions, to interact directly with the inner contents of one’s psyche, as well as the greater Spirit.

Rest assured, this is not a dire blog. The Greek roots of the word apocalypse are apo, meaning away and kalyptein, meaning to cover. To take away the cover of something is to unfold its inner truth. To remove the shell of a nut is to reveal the seed of new life.  Apocalypse is, literally, the action of the unfolding of truth and new life.

The dark foreboding cataclysmic connotation of such a pure and promising event that the word apocalypse actually depicts can be traced to its biblical usages. The ancient title for the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, is Apocalypse. This book depicts apocalypse as Armageddon, imbuing it with end of the world scenarios.

Certainly, the unfolding of new life can be a violent process. The labor that brings forth new human life is often accompanied with cataclysmic contractions, perineal lacerations, and bleeding. Sometimes, thankfully rarely, the unfolding of new life can be fatal for both mother and fetus.

Indeed, the apocalypse of birth is not without great risk. Nonetheless, apocalypse, with all its lethal propensities, is the bringer of new life, not the consummate punctuation of life’s end.

The apocalyptic chaos of birth is the condition addressed in hexagram #3 of the I Ching: Difficulty at the Beginning. The images that form this hexagram are thunder and rain, the elements that combine to generate a great storm, the prelude to a change of conditions.

“Times of growth are beset with difficulties. They resemble a first birth. But these difficulties arise from the very profusion of all that is struggling to take form. Everything is in motion: therefore if one perseveres there is a prospect of great success, in spite of the existing danger.” –I Ching, Wilhelm edition, p.16

Hurricanes, fires and floods abound. Great migrations of people escaping uninhabitable environments or conditions of aggression dominate world decisions. Threats of viral infection impact every world citizen. To remain persevering in this time of obvious apocalypse is to maintain an attitude of awe and love as these rigorous energies, channelled through nature and human nature, bring forth new life.

To succumb to the current apocalypse, as if it were armageddon, is understandable but misguided. Indeed, there is much in the world that must change. We must let go of old ideas and ruling principles that are unsustainable. The unfolding of our new world will, and is, shaking off  that which stands in the way of necessary growth.

However, one ruling principle is far from being shaken off—in fact, is ever refining in this current time of apocalypse—and that is, the rule of love. The obvious polarization of people, even intimates within the same family, is merely the clash of energies generating irrationality in this time of great change. These polarized opposites are stages of differentiation and refinement that must, of necessity, find ultimate union. That can only happen through the refinement of real love.

Love based upon the truth and the interdependent needs of all is the seed that is being planted from this current apocalypse. Nonetheless, the shell of that seed is one tough nut to crack!

Hold on tight, for love is, indeed, coming to us all.

Unfolding,

Chuck

Soulbyte for Tuesday August 31, 2021

Every ending is a beginning, every goodbye a hello to something new. When the changing times come do not mourn the loss of the old but greet the new with open arms and a warm smile, for new life is what is always ahead if you look for it, expect it, and desire it. With an open heart greet each day with the words, “I wonder what will happen today?”

Sending you love,
The Soul Sisters, Jan & Jeanne

Soulbyte for Monday August 30, 2021

Nature’s way may not be logical but it is the way of all things that seek change, for nature knows so much more than the thinking species, the human being, how to enact change that is irrevocable. Watch how nature shows the way, how a path of destruction leads to new habits, new life and the changes that are ultimately necessary for survival and prosperity. Within the self let nature’s lessons sink in, and learn the ultimate lesson that nature instructs, that to be kind and loving in the face of disaster is the one and only response.

Sending you love,
The Soul Sisters, Jan & Jeanne

Soulbyte for Friday August 27, 2021

Let not the trials of life overwhelm you but instead find your calmness by breathing into your heart center, opening the door and letting the calmness that resides there permeate your being. This calmness is naturally present and it sits in wait, yearning for the day that it may be of service, for it knows no other desire except to find its place within you. Once this calmness is discovered let it be activated daily and you will find your life not only bearable but joyous, for your heart center is not only a place of calmness but of love as well, and this too you will experience once you open the door.

Sending you love,
The Soul Sisters, Jan & Jeanne

Soulbyte for Thursday August 26, 2021

Begin the day with kindness toward self and other; it will lead the way to something greater and more positive. Step out of the negative mindset that wants to take over and step into the way of the kind. With small steps of kindness, to begin with, you will soon be moving along with leaps and bounds in a more naturally loving way. For once the door to kindness has been opened love will soon follow, and love is what you want flowing through you and from you. Love is the way to a more positive world, within and without.

Sending you love,
The Soul Sisters, Jan & Jeanne