Conference hydra::dejavu

948.0. "Letter to the year 2088" by CLUE::PAINTER (Dark Ages, Middle Ages, New Age) Mon Jan 09 1989 20:43

{From: Time Magazine, October 17, 1988}

Following article was in the first page Volkswagon ad - the fourth in 
a series of "Open Forum" articles in which prominent figures in 
American culture pass on their ideas and views to those who'll inherit 
the earth...100 years from now.

A Letter To The Next Generation, by Dr.Wayne W. Dyer, Philosopher
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"As I prepare this message for people living in 2088, I find my 
thoughts are not about futuristic or scientific wonders you enjoy.  My 
curiosity has to do with this:  Have you evolved into a higher human 
being than those of us on earth in 1988?

My message to you centers on the hope that you are more humane than we 
are now.  I wonder if you are practicing the vital lessons a few of us 
in 1988 believe humanity will some day master.  I wonder if you have 
been able to move beyond distrust, fear, and hostility.  My message of 
hope is addressed to you in the form of four questions.  Your answers 
will describe where you are in the evolution of this higher human 
being, now stirring to life here in 1988.

1. Have you learned that your humanity lies beyond the boundaries of 
   the body?

   Do you know and live the idea that a person is much more than a pile 
   of bones, blood, gristle, and skin?  Do you recognize that within all 
   form is an invisible intelligence?  Is there general acceptance and 
   delight in knowing that persons are much more than their packaging?  
   Is it "socially acceptable" to develop the invisible aspect of 
   yourself as we do today by choosing aerobics or jogging for physical 
   development?  

   Can you see yourselves as spiritual beings having a human experience, 
   rather than human beings who may be having a spiritual experience?  
   This is what I mean:  My three-year-old daughter presented me with a 
   make-believe meal on her plastic toy dishes.  On that level, it was a 
   physical, form-only interaction that could have been considered 
   unimportant.  On another level, the invisible, the formless part of 
   her was expressing, "Daddy needs to eat something warm, and I want him 
   to have a special dinner.  I love my Daddy, and I want to take good 
   care of him."  My awareness of that invisible part of her, her 
   thoughts and feelings which are pure love, transformed the plastic 
   toys and make-believe food.  I could almost touch those beautiful 
   caring thoughts in back of her actions.

2. Have you learned and adopted the understanding that we are all 
   connected?

   Here on Earth, in 1988, we seem to know intellectually that we are 
   living in the same house, and that when you live on a round planet, 
   you can't afford to choose sides.  But we continue to choose sides.  
   Do you live with the awareness that each human being is a "me that is 
   we"?  Do the majority of people see that one cell within an organism, 
   which has no reference to the whole, will destroy adjacent cells, 
   eventually killing the entire being while destroying itself in the 
   process?  

   Are you guiding your young people to develop serenity and ease within
   themselves, so they will cooperate with the cells adjacent to them? 
   Are your nations at ease within, or are they still acting out their
   aggressive images on their neighbors?  Are you in 2088 seeing and
   believing the belief that each human being on our planet is just as
   interconnected as geographic neighbors, and that the total being
   called human being cannot function harmoniously when the components
   are in conflict? 

3. Do the majority of you see that what you think about expands?

   As I write, some of us are nurturing these ideas like seedlings:

	o  The power of thought is enormous.
	o  We can create thought.
	o  Out of thought comes the entire direction of our lives.
	o  We act on our thoughts.
	o  We become what we think about all day long.
	o  In the dimensionless world of thought, everything we think 
	   is here.
	o  We have the ability to turn any thought into form with the
	   power of the mind.
	o  Thought is a formless energy which comprises our essential
	   humanity.
	o  Our lives are what our thoughts create.

   We are just beginning to recognize the importance of thought as the 
   most powerful force in the universe.  There is a new awareness and 
   application of these ideas.  Instead of being _against_ terrorism and 
   war, we are shifting our thoughts to being _for_ peace and 
   cooperation.

   We are beginning to recognize that a war on drugs, poverty, hunger and 
   crime is not as effective as being for an enlightened, educated youth, 
   a higher standard of living for all, and respect for each other's 
   rights and possessions.  Do you understand that what we think about 
   expands into action?  And therefore, cultivating thoughts of what you 
   are _for_ results in a healthier, happier and more peaceful society.
   Do you recognize that being _against_ anything weakens you, while 
   being _for_ something empowers you?

4. Have you discovered the other side of, "I'll believe that when I 
   see it"?  

   In 1988 there is an awakening to the idea that the development of a 
   higher human being is a process involving the understanding that you 
   see what you believe, rather than you believe what you see.  Has this 
   belief system led to the development of a higher human being?  In 
   1983, I wrote a parable in which a higher human being named Eykis 
   visits our world.  She brings gifts in the form of thoughts to assist 
   us in transforming our selves and our planet.  Her message proclaims, 
   "You'll See It When You Believe It."  Did these beliefs which Eykis 
   describes move you toward this kind of thinking in 2088?

	o  Quality rather than appearance.
	o  Ethics rather than rules.
	o  Knowledge rather than achievement.
	o  Integrity rather than domination.
	o  Serenity rather than acquisitions.

   If the answer is "Yes", then indeed a higher human being is in 
   process, and the trend toward destroying this being called human being 
   has been reversed.  My connection to you is pure, formless, 
   dimensionless thought, and so too is your link back to me in 1988 and 
   forward to infinity.

					- Dr. Wayne Dyer

    
    
    Thanks for entering this Cindy.  Dr. Dyer expressed his thoughts
    and vision beautifully.
    
    Carole

    
    
    	I have to say that I agree with all the ideas presented in the 4
    questions. I've always liked Dwayne Dyer, who was the first to suggest
    to me that you own your own feelings in his "Erronous Zones" book...
    
    	He touches on some very basic ideas that I hope the world has
    accepted "by then" or whatever. One of these is the idea of context
    of thought; you can be against something, or for it's opposite -
    the latter being the better choice - because it's in positive context.
    
    	I really did like what he said about the spiritual side of being
    Human. I like how he's sees both sides of the coin, so to speak.
    He recognises the other "unique part" of each of us, besides the
    one that today's society focuses on. He predicts that the development 
    of this part will be as respected as the development of the other, 
    which is an idea I like to hear.
    
    	Another idea is to work on the problem, not the symptoms. "Brute
    force" solutions typically do not work as well as solutions derived
    from a complete understanding of the whole system. Sheer horsepower
    based solutions are no longer considered for "eliminating symptoms", 
    because it's understood that the problem will always be stronger;
    and the actual efficiency of this method will always be poor.
    
    	The idea of belief - what it means and the power it has - is
    another great idea he talks about. It'd be my hope that methodology
    for instructing people how to change their beliefs at will would
    be in place by 2088. I realize that it's the last power that those
    who would control would want for the general public! Yet, I know
    of a great many who would benefit immeasureably, given this ability.
    
    	Joe Jas
      

Thanks Cindy!  I probably wouldn't have seen that if you hadn't entered
it here.  It made a difference to me read and understand what was said.
Reminded me of something I heard once.

  "We don't inherit our land from our fathers, we borrow it from
   our children..."

Terry

    
    I entered this same article in the CHRISTIAN conference.
    The response wasn't exactly the same as here, but oh well.
    
    On the subject of YCYOR (haven't made it all the way through the
    Earthquake note yet, but thought this would be of interest):
    
    	"Whether you think you _can_ or you think you _can't_ -
         you are right."
    				- Henry Ford.
    
    Cindy

    
    	Sounds like a "both and" situation to me!
    
    	Joe