It has been my experience that, in the quest to remain true to my nature and committed to serving the mission of Oneness Consciousness, there has always been, and continues to be, a seemingly necessary sacrifice of social conformity to the “norm”.
Throughout history, those who have made the choice to “go public” with their assertions to the cause of Oneness, have become personal, professional and social targets. From interpersonal relationships to wide-spread media campaigns – those who plant their feet on the soil of Oneness Consciousness appear invariably to find themselves socially challenged, ostracized, ridiculed, shunned and marginalized.
In smaller personal and professional circles, this often translates into compromised relationships with others who are steeped in the “illusion program”. Those who walk and talk the path of Oneness Consciousness are assigned the label of persona non grata. And, in extreme cases, those who manage to gain wide degrees of public exposure – amassing a “following” (if you will) – often find themselves threatened, bullied, intimidated and/or killed.
When viewed historically, we have no shortage of examples. From prophets to politicians, entertainers to writers and social activists, we see the same pattern over and over again and the message is loud and clear. Buck the “system” and you pay the price. The translation of this dynamic is simple and to the point. Either conform to the Illusion Program or find yourself excluded, shunned or dead.
Because humans are social beings, we have a powerful need for affiliation. And of course, this makes perfect sense. After all, we are, in reality, One. Therefore, in our journey through the outer illusion of separatism, it’s natural to feel alone so we seek out the company and validation of others as a reflection of our self-worth. But when viewed with our inner sense, we come to realize that we are never truly alone, as we are inseparable parts of the grander whole – Oneness Consciousness.
The question is: are we willing and able to make the social sacrifices to remain true to this cause? Or, will we continually compromise the authenticity of our hearts to appease and acquiesce to the normative demands of the status quo? I’ve come to the conclusion that – at least up to this point – remaining committed to the cause of Oneness and conforming to social norms and expectations are in diametrical opposition to one another.
As the new, enlightened and more expansive Oneness Consciousness manifests, the clash between the old paradigm of competitiveness, ego and social exclusivity is unavoidable but necessary for change. These perceived conflicts should not be cause for undue concern as they are vital catalysts that activate our progress forward.
In my work as a university educator, I have always remained committed to teaching my courses from the standpoint of Oneness Consciousness. While not an explicit part of my lectures, my approach, conduct and application has been to highlight the many institutionalized, social barriers to unity.
Over the years, I’ve consistently received exemplary evaluations from my students and have been honored by student–nominated teaching awards. However, the way that I am regarded by my colleagues is quite a different story. Despite my effectiveness as a teacher, I find myself an outcaste – unworthy of inclusion, let alone direct eye contact, when passing co-workers in the hallways.
Had I only been concerned with my own personal achievements and climbing the corporate ladder of academic “success,” I would have changed my ways years ago. I would have reined myself in, toned myself down, and curled into a fetal position in the hopes of not drawing undue attention to myself as one dedicated to the unity of the planet and her inhabitants.
We all must arrive at this difficult decision eventually. Will it hurt? Yes. Will it feel uncomfortable and frightening to “walk the walk” in the face of social opposition? Most definitely.
But ultimately, we’re faced with the choice of either betraying our hearts by “going along to get along” or drumming up the courage to be authentic, genuine and sincere representations of our personal truths – and letting the social chips fall where they may.
In the words of Marieanne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
“We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
“There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.
“We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”