EDITOR'S COMMENTS

     In the last issue of The Caldron we discussed how raising consciousness, both our own and that of the collective, would have a greater and more beneficial effect upon our present society than would any revolution or social reform movement. History has made it clear that if we don't raise our consciousness, we will never be able to change our present society. Given this, one of the first things we need to change is our attitude towards organized religion and spiritual growth.

     Addressing this need, the theme of this issue of The Caldron is "Beyond Religion - Consciousness and Spiritual Growth." It's all about finding that direct and immediate connection with the God consciousness that resides within each and every one of us. It is dedicated to the belief that raising consciousness is in itself a direct path to Spirit.

     Given this, there is no need for organized religion, for folks who say that they alone have the ability to hear God and that they alone have the right to tell us what He says. The truth of it is that none of these so-called religious authorities are needed at all. Residing within each of us, as our highest consciousness, God speaks to each one and every one of us. All we need do is listen.

     In order to listen, we must work on our consciousness, striving always to be more clear and compassionate. Spiritual growth occurs whenever we become more conscious of ourselves and our place in the world. Spiritual growth is certainly not the domain of religion. In fact, most religions, certainly the three monotheistic ones, ask us to remain unconscious and instead blindly follow their restrictive and largely irrelevant ways.

     Why should we strive for personal and collective spiritual growth? Why should we want to connect to our inner God consciousness? Well, we can always do it for our own personal salvation, that's true, but we can also do it for all of us together - for the Mahayana, or Great Vehicle of Buddhism, the one that will bring all of us home to Spirit.

     The intersection of all of our individual God consciousnesses is that inner place where all of us meet, where we are all one - the common center of humankind. Teliard De Chardin, the wise and controversial Jesuit priest, once said that our goal is to become the mind of God. We will become this when we have reached critical mass, when we have all found and connected to our individual God consciousnesses.

     This can only result in a radically different and much more hopeful future for humankind, one more centered and whole, one more conscious and compassionate.


     In this issue, "BeHereNow," contains the results of a global study that reveal an overwhelming wealth gap, with the world's three richest people having more money than the poorest 48 nations combined. It also contains a Speech delivered by Rabbi Aharon Cohen of Neturei Karta at the International Conference "Review of the Holocaust," in Teheran, in December of this year. In his speech he stresses the differences between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism.

     "Wisdom's Corner" contains a quote from a wonderful book by Jack Whyte about the Knights Templars. These warrior monks believed, along with the Essenes, that we all carry God within ourselves, and that the way to find God is to search within. There are also quotes from both the Dalai Lama and Carl Jung concerning the Eastern and the Western approaches to consciousness and spiritual growth.

     "Winter Solstice" is a wonderful cautionary poem. It was written long ago and far away, back in the flatlands of Berkeley, back in those earlier and far more innocent days. It describes this time of year, as well as what to expect of it and ourselves.

     "The Return," describes a vision that I had many years ago, one that gave me a glimpse into our dangerous future, a future that has now become our present tense. This vision also showed me how we might overcome this dreadful danger - by a return to the Light that is within each of us.

     My essay, "Beyond Religion - Consciousness and Spiritual Growth," describes the path of spiritual growth that leads to the God consciousness that exists within each of us. This path follows along certain developmental stages of personal and spiritual growth. Each stage on this path, each step in our development into a conscious being, brings us closer and closer to this God consciousness. Following this path involves uncovering layer upon layer of Jungian shadow stuff, gender issues, relationship challenges, and all sorts of personal and collective stuff that blocks direct communication with the God consciousness that is within each and every one of us.

     In "Seeds from Plot 509," Aspen Marks suggests that life has an inherent drive to continue forward and that this drive is ignited and propelled by something divine.

     Acid Trip, Part 2, is the second part of an illuminating book by Motorcycle Michael Sommers. (The conclusion will appear in the spring issue.) In it, he continues to describe his time in prison, focusing especially upon how he took advantage of his time away from the "free world" to raise his consciousness.

     "The Wonderful World of Boys" is back by popular demand. It is a hilarious commentary and picture essay, showing the joys and follies of our wonderful sons.

     Enjoy,

     Eugene Marks, Editor