What I Heard In The Silence Beneath The Voices - Inauguration Day

Did you hear it?  As I watched Barak Obama lay his hand on the very bible that Abraham Lincoln held 150 years ago I was struck by an incomparable sense of history “high fiving” the present.  It looked and felt like the literal intersection of one loop of the evolutionary spiral crossing over the next.  However any of us attempt to define it, it was clear that everyone felt it happening at the very same moment.

Metaphors abound.  

If the past 150 years were chapters in a grand book, today begins a new volume, with new authors, new fonts, new themes and a new storyline.

If the civil war brought America from infancy to toddlerhood, we’ve seen the self-centered, stubborn, and joyful sense of “mine” play out.  Now perhaps we are in the learning to get along and understanding our role among the larger group, where we may alternately bully and be bullied, all the while with a growing trust in one another and a better understanding of how nature intends for systems work.  Eventually, our growth as a nation will lead us to a maturity that realizes how profoundly our individuality contributes to the collective experience, and that our role in the world will mirror our growth as a nation.  

The fact that Barak Obama is of African decent is, of course significant given the history of our nation.  But, I believe it only serves to emphasize the true magnificence of what we as a group of individuals have done.  What is most remarkable is the shift in consciousness that enabled us to choose a leader whose intelligence, character, ethics, voice, and vision are resonant enough to represent our collective intentions.  Obama has inspired hope when there is fear, trust when there is deceit, unity when there is dissension.  It is indeed the greatest display of common purpose in America’s history.  It is a shift in the evolution of humanity’s collective consciousness.

While many pens were poised to record the quotable quotes in Obama’s inaugural address, I find the absence of rhetoric and prophecy a reflection of the very essence of  our chosen leader.  His words were real and tangible.  “…we will be judged by what we build, not by what we destroy.” “We will do our business in the light of day.”  His plea for our participation, our acceptance of responsibility and sacrifice, our intention of delivering an America we can be proud of to future generations… Those are refreshing truths unlike the shallow, father knows best, false promises we’ve become accustomed to hearing.  

Obama has allowed us to imagine not only a better life for ourselves, but a new sense of community, the creation of a culture to be matured through our collective conscious efforts. Already, we have been stirred toward reconsideration and action.

Tremendous challenges are ahead for all of us, not only for the economic, social, and international crises to be unraveled, but our diligence, patience, and willingness to persevere in our renewed vision will be tempted and tried.  As we learn to navigate our way in this new territory we, as individuals and as a nation, will need to actively maintain the momentum that began to flow when we gained the courage to effect this magnificent change.  The energy and joy that enveloped January 20, 2009 will last only if each of us make it so.

As for me, I’ll do my best to continue to live a life based in love, truth and peace.

I feel blessed and grateful to be living this journey with all of you.