By Earth Changes Media Nov 5, 2009 

Carlos Barrios, Mayan elder and Ajq'ij (a ceremonial priest and spiritual guide) of the Eagle Clan. Carlos initiated an investigation into the different Mayan calendars circulating.  Carlos along with his brother Gerardo studied with many teachers and interviewed nearly 600 traditional Mayan elders to widen their scope of knowledge.

Carlos found out quickly there were several conflicting interpretations of Mayan hieroglyphs, petroglyphs, Sacred Books of 'Chilam Balam' and various ancient text.  Carlos had some strong words for those who may have contributed to the confusion ---  "Anthropologists visit the temple sites and read the inscriptions and make up stories about the Maya, but they do not read the signs correctly. It's just their imagination.  Other people write about prophecy in the name of the Maya. They say that the world will end in December 2012. The Mayan elders are angry with this. The world will not end. It will be transformed."

"We are no longer in the World of the Fourth Sun, but we are not yet in the World of the Fifth Sun. This is the time in-between, the time of transition.  As we pass through transition there is a colossal, global convergence of environmental destruction, social chaos, war, and ongoing Earth Changes."

He continues: "Humanity will continue, but in a different way. Material structures will change. From this we will have the opportunity to be more human. We are living in the most important era of the Mayan calendars and prophecies. All the prophecies of the world, all the traditions are converging now. There is no time for games. The spiritual ideal of this era is action."

Carlos tells us: "The indigenous have the calendars and know how to accurately interpret it -- not others.  The Mayan Calendars comprehension of time, seasons, and cycles has proven itself to be vast and sophisticated. The Maya understand 17 different calendars such as the Tzolk'in or Cholq'ij, some of them charting time accurately over a span of more than ten million years. 

"All was predicted by the mathematical cycles of the Mayan calendars. -- It will change -- everything will change. Mayan Daykeepers view the Dec. 21, 2012 date as a rebirth, the start of the World of the Fifth Sun. It will be the start of a new era resulting from and signified by the solar meridian crossing the galactic equator and the Earth aligning itself with the center of the galaxy." 

At sunrise on December 21, 2012 for the first time in 26,000 years the Sun rises to conjunct the intersection of the Milky Way and the plane of the ecliptic. This cosmic cross is considered to be an embodiment of the Sacred Tree, The Tree of Life, a tree remembered in all the world's spiritual traditions. 

Some observers say this alignment with the heart of the galaxy in 2012 will open a channel for cosmic energy to flow through the Earth, cleansing it and all that dwells upon it, raising all to a higher level of vibration. 

Carlos reminds us: "This process has already begun. Change is accelerating now and it will continue to accelerate. If the people of the Earth can get to this 2012 date in good shape without having destroyed too much of the Earth, we will rise to a new, higher level. But to get there we must transform enormously powerful forces that seek to block the way." 

The date specified in the calendar Winter Solstice in the year 2012 does not mark the end of the world. Many outside people writing about the Mayan calendar sensationalize this date, but they do not know. The ones who know are the indigenous elders who are entrusted with keeping the tradition. 

Carlos tells us: "The economy now is a fiction. The first five-year stretch of transition from August 1987 to August 1992 was the beginning of the destruction of the material world. We have progressed ten years deeper into the transition phase by now, and many of the so-called sources of financial stability are in fact hollow. The banks are weak. This is a delicate moment for them. They could crash globally if we don't pay attention. If the banks crash -- then we will be forced to rely on the land and our skills. The monetary systems will be in chaos, and we must then rely on our direct relationship with the Earth for our food and shelter." 

The North and South Poles are both breaking up. The level of the water in the oceans is going to rise. But at the same time land in the ocean, especially near Cuba, is also going to rise. 

Carlos tells a story about the most recent Mayan New Year ceremonies in Guatemala. He said that one respected Mam elder, who lives all year in a solitary mountain cave, journeyed to Chichicastenango to speak with the people at the ceremony. The elder delivered a simple, direct message. He called for human beings to come together in support of life and light. 

"Right now each person and group is going his or her own way. The elder of the mountains said there is hope if the people of the light can come together and unite in some way. We live in a world of polarity -- day and night, man and woman, positive and negative. Light and darkness need each other. They are a balance." 

"Just now the dark side is very strong, and very clear about what they want. They have their vision and their priorities clearly held, and also their hierarchy. They are working in many ways so that we will be unable to connect with the spiral Fifth World in 2012."

"On the light side everyone thinks they are the most important, that their own understandings, or their group's understandings, are the key. There's a diversity of cultures and opinions, so there is competition, diffusion, and no single focus." 

Carlos believes the dark side works to block unity through denial and materialism. It also works to destroy those who are working with the light to get the Earth to a higher level. They like the energy of the old, declining Fourth World, the materialism. They do not want it to change. They do not want unity. They want to stay at this level, and are afraid of the next level. 

The dark power of the declining Fourth World cannot be destroyed or overpowered. It's too strong and clear for that, and that is the wrong strategy. The dark can only be transformed when confronted with simplicity and open-heartedness. This is what leads to unity, a key concept for the World of the Fifth Sun. 

Carlos said the emerging era of the Fifth Sun will call attention to a much-overlooked element. Whereas the four traditional elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water have dominated various epochs in the past, there will be a fifth element to reckon with in the time of the Fifth Sun --- that element is 'ETHER'. 

The dictionary defines Ether as a "hypothetical substance supposed to occupy all space, postulated to account for the propagation of electromagnetic radiation through space." Perhaps it could be defined as the "space between space". I would suggest it could be manifest as the alignment of charged particles from our solar system (Sun), and our galaxy (Milky Way) surge.

"The element of the Fifth Sun is celestial. Within the context of Ether there can be a joining of the polarities. No more darkness or light in the people, but an uplifted unity. But right now the realm of darkness is not interested in this. They are organized to block it. They seek to unbalance the Earth and its environment so we will be unready for the alignment in 2012."

"We need to work together for peace, and balance with the other side. We need to take care of the Earth that feeds and shelters us. We need to put our entire mind and heart into pursuing unity and unity now, to confront the other side and preserve life."

"We are disturbed -- we can't play anymore. Our planet can be renewed or ravaged. Now is the time to awaken and take action. Everyone is needed. You are not here for no reason. Everyone who is here now has an important purpose. This is a hard but a special time. We have the opportunity for growth, but we must be ready for this moment in history." 

Carlos says: "The prophesied changes are going to happen, but our attitude and actions determine how harsh or mild they are. We need to act, to make changes, and to elect people to represent us who understand and who will take political action to respect the Earth." 

"Meditation and spiritual practice are good, but also action. It's very important to be clear about who you are, and also about your relation to the Earth. Develop yourself according to your own tradition and the call of your heart. But remember to respect differences, and strive for unity. Eat wisely --- a lot of food is corrupt in either subtle or gross ways. Pay attention to what you are taking into your body. Learn to preserve food, and to conserve energy. Learn some good breathing techniques, so you have mastery of your breath. Be clear. Follow a tradition with great roots. It is not important what tradition, your heart will tell you, but it must have great roots."

"We live in a world of energy. An important task at this time is to learn to sense or see the energy of everyone and everything -- people, plants, animals. This becomes increasingly important as we draw close to the World of the Fifth Sun, for it is associated with the element 'ether' -- the realm where energy lives and weaves. Go to the sacred places of the Earth to pray for peace, and have respect for the Earth which gives us our food, clothing, and shelter. We need to reactivate the energy of these sacred places. That is our work."

"One simple but effective prayer technique is to light white or baby-blue colored candles. Think of a moment in peace. Speak your intention to the flame and send the light of it on to the leaders who have the power to make war or peace." 

Carlos reminds us this is a crucially important moment for humanity and for Earth. Each person is important. He said the elders have opened the doors so that other races can come to the Mayan world to receive the tradition. "The Maya have long appreciated and respected that there are other colors, other races, and other spiritual systems. They know that the destiny of the Mayan world is related to the destiny of the whole world." 

"The greatest wisdom is in simplicity. Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness. It's not complex or elaborate. The real knowledge is free. It's encoded in your DNA. All you need is within you. Great teachers have said that from the beginning. Find your heart, and you will find your way." 

###

Response from Keith Henry: www.dontreadthisbook.net

Thanks, Steven!  One might ask themselves, how are we as a race to progress in face of the strong hold that the "dark oligarchy" has on the world system? As the below article makes clear, they are far too entrenched to be "defeated". 

Ours is not to "defeat" them. That's just silly. (How can one hope to overcome an enterprise that is hundreds of thousands of years in the planning and making? Yet also, how are we to "come together in unity" to reach our ultimate destination? ) 

The dark oligarchy, their plans and their aspirations will crumble along with the current world systems upon which they have relied for millennia. There is no need to defeat them, nor is there the need to attempt such a counterproductive initiative. Leave them alone. Their fate is sealed. Let us not become a part of their fate by giving them so much of our mental energy via fear, anger, worry, or anxiety. 

Again, simplicity is key. 

The idea that there needs to be some conscious campaign toward the unity of us all, while conceptually sound, may tempt us to rely upon the group consciousness paradigm which is now passing away as a primary means of achieving this unity. This approach is misguided. 

Rather, by reaching into our own individual internal connectedness with source - each of us on an individual and unique basis (following our own hearts in true acceptance of ourselves, our own individual sovereignty as agents of source, and similarly embracing that the same dynamic exists within each of us, i.e. embracing each person's path as valid and sovereign) - we automatically harness the unity that already exists. 

Yes, this sounds counter-intuitive. Yes, this is a different message than the new world order, many religions, and even many new age disciplines have taught us. But it is the only way. Attempting to recognize and embrace everyone and everything into our thinking as valid in a move to "create unity" will create chaos instead. The dark oligarchy is counting on this.  Each of us is our own authority.

Each of us is our own window of source. This is not a paradigm of separateness, but rather the quintessential expression of the infinite diversity of source. It is by fully embracing this diversity that we connect with the already existent unity of all things and all people.

by Dean Noblett

Living in a world of duality has made it challenging and difficult to understand why we have experienced and witnessed such an array of human behavior throughout our history. With constant introspection and the continued judgments of right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust it has been a constant challenge to find a balanced viewpoint and to truly understand the gift that duality actually presents to us. This subject is super sensitive, yet if we are to continue on our path of ascension it is a crucial concept in need of our assimilation.

Let us use an example of duality that represents many definitions, including the very nature of our own composite structure, not to mention the entire universe. Symbolically, the notion of the “light” and “dark” conveniently expresses the broad spectrum of contrasts we all inevitably have to deal with in every aspect of life. Under the guise of the light resides all the so-called higher attributes of peace, love and hope, to kindness, joy and integrity. Every human being possesses the ability to express any or all of these qualities whenever we choose.

Obviously, in contrast to the light is the dark side representing conflict, fear, despair, judgment, anger and deceit, etc. This is where the ugly side of our reality is founded. And just as we possess the ability to express the light, the dark side is constantly lurking in the background ready to pounce when we least expect it. The source of the pain of our dark side is usually buried deep within our unconscious mind. As it quietly and patiently waits for an opportunity to make itself known, life will always find a way to give it a voice, often in very subtle ways, but in many instances in the most blatant and painful ways imaginable.

The dilemma we are faced with is this: how do we reconcile the duality of the light and dark that is at the core of this reality so we can actually transcend our consciousness beyond the limitations that confront us daily through these two contrasts? A big question for sure, but one to which an answer is essential for us to be able to fully bring in the new world.

Each of us is confronted with our own fears amidst our efforts to live our best possible life. A best life scenario could be one of fulfillment, sense of purpose, excitement, joy, abundance and well being, peace and of course - love. We are all aching to fully experience ourselves in this light and while we are moving towards this reality, the dark side of our nature continues to question our worthiness and does what it can to convince us otherwise. Our fear-based human egos have had its way with us for so long now, the very notion of it losing control goes against what the ego represents and it refuses to lie down and die without a fight.

Just using the word “fight” conjures up a feeling that appears to question the nature and value of why we choose to oppose any given situation. To be in conflict with another immediately indicates that we are in judgment of them and have the need to somehow convince them that they are wrong. In that moment our ego has us just where it wants us. This all too familiar example of fear and conflict that subtly rises from the depths stems from the need to be in control.

The question arising from this is how can we best serve the collective consciousness so we can overcome the struggle of duality and transcend into a new world of total unity and peace? As mentioned earlier this is a sensitive subject and one that does not encompass a winner or loser, a victim or perpetrator, but rather embracing the ideal that there is no right or wrong, good and bad or even any victims. To transcend duality we need to know that everything just “is” and every human being is where they need to be and is experiencing what is necessary for their highest good. Our job is to find the lesson within the experience which then becomes a gift to ourselves.

While the highest good for all concerned is a mantra many of us use in our prayers and meditations, that does not mean what we see and experience is always pretty. In fact the purpose of duality is for us to experience both the light and the dark and then to emerge from the illusion knowing everything is as it should be and always for our highest good. For those still caught in the illusion, this concept is usually not received well, but until we choose to expand our awareness and truly embrace the journey completely, we remain trapped in judgment and blame.  

There is nothing in the universe that is separate from the creator. In other words, even the dark side is not separate from the light, for it is only a perception and only has power when we give it sustenance to make it real. As soon as we bring light to any darkness it dissolves like a lantern in a cave. The darkness is still there, it hasn’t gone anywhere, for as soon as the lantern is extinguished it appears just as easily as it dissolved. If one happened to be lost in a cave, the situation does not change by lighting the lantern, however, it allows one to see the situation with a clearer vision to find the way out. In this scenario we are neither the light nor the dark, but the observer who has transcended the duality of the experience.

The intricacies of our experience of this third dimension reality are far too complex to comprehend why it is that some people find themselves in dire and tragic situations. If we take into account soul agreements, soul contracts, balancing karma and our desire to find love, happiness and freedom, then we know there is something unfolding beyond our reach of understanding at this level of the evolutionary ladder.

God does not judge anything, as the Creator allows the gift of free will for humanity to wake up to who we really are through the experience of duality. When we as a collective can also live from this place and look down on the duality in our own lives and shine our light on the dark side, it is in that moment we have transcended into a higher level of consciousness. This act of unconditional love ultimately frees the world from this perceived illusion, but it has to start with our own lives. It is the love of self which is the love of your life. Our ability to ignite the lantern to disperse the darkness with the knowledge that everything is in order no matter where we find ourselves is the path to freedom. It’s up to us to find our way.

Collective consciousness is the greatest power we have as human beings. Each is connected to the other, making up the ocean of humanity. As the waves rise and return to the ocean, we realize that we have never been separate from each other. Rather, the duality of the land and the sea, the expanse of the sky and depths of the ocean are but a different experience of the one creation. When we see through the eyes of the creator a knowing arises that nothing is neither good nor bad, but just is.

If we do our best to rise above duality and lovingly embrace the darkness, it will lose its stronghold on us. Ultimately, we have the power through cause and effect in the light of the collective consciousness to strengthen the foundation of the new world now being created in the minds of humanity.

www.heartlight.ca   

Basically, seeing 11:11 is a trigger point of awareness.

You're starting to awaken to your fullest potential,  to who you truly are!  ONENESS

Thanks to Solara of 11:11 Doorway for this info.  http://www.nvisible.com

Other references: http://www.crystalinks.com/11.11.html      http://www.greatdreams.com/eleven/num11.htm


11:11 is said to be a pre-encoded trigger placed in our cellular memory banks prior to our descent into matter which when activated, signifies that our time of completion and ascension is near. It is believed that one knows when this particular gateway opens for them by continually seeing the   numbers 11:11 in their every day lives as a continuous occurrence. Activation of other gateways may be symbolized by other digits. 

You will experience a sudden awakening after which reality is never the same. You are going to create clarity, healing and balance for yourself. Do not expect others in your life to be on this journey with you. It is yours alone as it is for most souls. You will have to seek new friends of like mind who are also being triggered by the digits. Once you open the Digital Door, there is no going back. Your soul will automatically and quickly move you from level to level of experience until you 'get it'. Your consciousness is expanding and therefore you will, manifest faster and with greater comprehension, becoming more aware of the meaning of synchronicities that will become more and more frequent.  They are created by your soul to help you remember that you are a soul spark in a physical program that is about to end, evolve back to higher consciousness.
   

"11:11 - Journey into Oneness"   What is the 11:11?    A TRIGGER OF REMEMBRANCE:
For many years the numbers 11:11 have been mysteriously appearing to millions of people all over the world. Often appearing on digital clocks, the sightings of 11:11 tend to occur during time of heightened awareness, having a most powerful effect on those seeing them. Each time we see the numbers 11:11, our cellular memory banks are further activated. There's a stirring deep inside, a hint of remembrance of something long forgotten. The appearance of 11:11 is a powerful confirmation that we are on the right track, aligned with the Greater Reality.

Repeated sightings of 11:11 have happened to millions throughout the world. Many want to know why this is happening?  What does the 11:11 signify?

When the 11:11 appears to you, it is your wake-up call. A direct channel opens up between you and the Greater Reality. The 11:11 is an insertion point for the Greater Reality to enter the present moment.When this happens, it is time to stop whatever you are doing and LOOK LARGER.  A transfer is in position.  You can enter the Greater Reality and travel deeper into the Invisible.  You can seed a long held desire, receive a vision, ask for help in some specific area of your life or simply feel the Invisible insert itself into the present moment. The revelations you receive will not come in the form of mental concepts. Rather, it will be an enhanced state of being in which you will see everything as if with new eyes. A deeper understanding of what is truly real will surround you.
The appearance of 11:11 is an always beneficial act of Divine Intervention.It tells you that it is time to take a good look around you and see what is real and what is illusory. It's time to pierce the veils of illusion which keep us bound to an unreal world. You have been chosen, because you are ready, to step into a Greater Reality. To lead the way for others into a new way of living, into a Greater Love. To ascend from duality into Oneness.The 11:11 is the bridge between duality and Oneness.  It is our pathway into the Unknown 


11:11 Transmission of Light Codes 11:11 is a number activation sequence. When you see the numbers 11, 111, or 1111 on your digital clock or elsewhere, you are given that moment to focus your energy and drop into a space of manifestation. It acts like a doorway, a gateway or a portal into the higher realms of manifestation. It is good to just stop what you are doing and take that minute to hold higher thoughts on what it is you want to bring forth in your life, as the intent you put forth will be amplified. Eleven is a number of masters.

Many have shared their 11:11 experiences @  http://www.myspace.com/thewave1111/blog/325103069

Share with us below your journeys and experiences. 

1. Before you say anything to anyone, ask yourself 3 things:  Is it true?  Is it kind?  Is it necessary?

2. Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully.

3. Never miss the opportunity to compliment or say something encouraging to someone.

4. Refuse to talk negatively about others; Don't gossip and don't listen to gossip.

5. Have a forgiving view of people. Believe that most people are doing the best they can.

6. Keep an open mind; Discuss, but don't argue. (It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable.)

7. Forget about counting to 10. Count to 1,000 before doing or saying anything that could make matters worse.

8. Let your virtues speak for themselves.

9. If someone criticizes you, see if there is any TRUTH to what is being said;  If so, make changes;  If there is no truth to the criticism, ignore it and live so that no one will believe the negative remark.

10. Cultivate your sense of humor;  Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

11. Do not seek so much to be consoled, as to console; Do not seek so much to be understood, as to understand;  Do not seek so much to be loved as to love.

shared by:humanityhealing.net


A brief checklist of suggestions to emulate unconditional love:

• Are we kind and respectful towards others regardless of how they look, dress, speak, behave or present themselves?
• Do we require others to believe what we believe or are we willing to let them live out their own truth?
• Do we encourage others to find their truth, in their own hearts, without telling them what to believe or how they should live?
• Do we acknowledge and respect the spark of Divinity within others no matter how unloving their actions may be?
• Can we rise above what is commonly thought to be good and bad?

http://www.myspace.com/thewave1111/blog/317940749 - original article written June 6, 2008 

The intention of this article is to enlighten and spread awareness, not to offend.  Fear of the unknown is the leading cause of separation and judgmental attitudes.  However, reaching out and exploring the unknown in love may just surprise you in what you learn.  Naturally, the intentional spiritual path you've chosen is indeed your choice -- living by the Freewill Principle.  When we respect and honor each other, we live in harmony with a unified mindset.


I'm Not Religious!  

What amazes me is that some people will say that they are not religious, just spiritual, yet cling on to the traditions, dogmas or messenger from a particular religion. Not to pick on "Christians" (since I once considered myself with that "label"), but saying you are spiritual, yet still believing that "Jesus" is your savior and that the Bible is the only true word of God - still follows the logic that you are a Christian, which is indeed a religion - thus religious. The same of course could be said for any follower of Agnosticism, Atheism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Muslim, Wiccan, etc.  These too are "labels" that have so many interpretations and boundaries.

So exactly why do people not wish to be called or referred to as "religious"? - most likely it's because it comes with the connotation that you may be over zealous in defending what you hold to be your Truth, and will argue with others about what is true or not, without realizing that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs as well.

The "my God" is the only true god syndrome has caused more anguish, killing, wars and arguments than any other subject - besides maybe politics. Speaking of which, let's go back to the statements made by George W. Bush in 2003 - "God told me to invade Iraq".

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bush-god-told-me-to-invade-iraq-509925.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/10/07/MNGNVF3SFM1.DTL

See what religions do - the war for peace mentality, when in reality, this is simply a continuation of divide and conquer = for control

Most people do not truly understand that war is a highly profitable business and the winners are those who care nothing about anyone except for their own gain and control. Read the small book 'War is a Racket' here: www.warisaracket.com


Which, if any, of the 10,000 world religions is the true one? -- enlightening article: http://www.religioustolerance.org/reltrue.htm


But you already know! Yet you don't want to know the Truth, you want to know the truth as you understand it. This is the greatest barrier to your enlightenment. You think you already know the truth! You think you already understand how it is. So you agree with everything you see, hear or read that falls into that paradigm of your understanding, and reject everything which does not. And this you call learning. This you call being open minded. Alas, you can never be open to anything new, so long as you are closed to everything save your own Truth. 


Let's consider this approach -- celebrating the differences in people while viewing everyone through the eyes of oneness nurtures powerful connections and creates a plane of existence where everyone is mutually supportive and respectful. When we replace this spirit of separateness with compassion, much of the friction in human relations will disappear. When we realize that we all are one, then there will be no impulse to jealousy and no room for conflict. There will be no inclination to like or dislike people; everyone will be regarded with the eyes of compassion and love. ~ Neale Donald Walsch

“Souls don’t have races or sexes or religions. They are beyond artificial divisions.” ~ Brian Weiss

Intolerance of differences always exists in people who don’t know who they are, people who don’t have a strong sense of their own authentic self, the soul within. Intolerance is rooted in fear. The basis for having a strong sense of self-esteem is to replace our unconscious idea of basic unworthiness with a conscious knowing of our fundamental inherent goodness.  As Matthew Fox states in "Original Blessing", the notion of ‘original sin’ must be replaced with the truth of ‘original blessing’.  Being in touch with our essential goodness, we can see the essential goodness in others as well.

“Beliefs separate. Loving thoughts unite.” ~ Paul Ferrini

So what is the answer?  You instinctively already know. Yet, with years of programming, many have been conditioned and feel they must give their power away. They need a savior or some messenger or religious icon that they can "hang their hat on."

Spirit - the life force exists in everything. It follows, then, that ANY path, any encounter is spiritual if we have the awareness to see it as such. Going deeper, going higher, emptying, connecting, believing or disbelieving, bouncing off the bottom, experiencing the heights, in pain, in ecstasy. Too often, we search afar for our own purpose when it is IN our lives all the time, waiting for us to express it more openly. Bring greater awareness to each encounter and situation in life. Tune IN to what you are inspired to do, who you are inspired to be. Your answers are waiting for you to pay attention - every moment!  Peace is truly found within.

"He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye" ~ Siddhārtha Gautama

Continued blessings in your path to Self discovery!

joy love peace to you ....
Steven


p.s.  If anyone was offended by the words "programming" or "conditioning", please read this:


The Story of the 8 Monkeys
(this is reportedly based on an actual experiment conducted in the UK):

Put eight monkeys in a room. In the middle of the room is a ladder, leading to a bunch of bananas hanging from a hook on the ceiling.

Each time a monkey tries to climb the ladder, all the monkeys are sprayed with ice water, which makes them miserable. Soon enough, whenever a monkey attempts to climb the ladder, all of the other monkeys, not wanting to be sprayed, set upon him and beat him up.

Soon, none of the eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.

One of the original monkeys is then removed, and a new monkey is put in the room. Seeing the bananas and the ladder, he wonders why none of the other monkeys are doing the obvious. But undaunted, he immediately begins to climb the ladder.

All the other monkeys fall upon him and beat him silly. He has no idea why. However, he no longer attempts to climb the ladder.

A second original monkey is removed and replaced. The newcomer again attempts to climb the ladder, but all the other monkeys hammer the crap out of him.

This includes the previous new monkey, who, grateful that he’s not on the receiving end this time, participates in the beating because all the other monkeys are doing it. However, he has no idea why he’s attacking the new monkey.

One by one, all the original monkeys are replaced. Eight new monkeys are now in the room. None of them have ever been sprayed by ice water.

None of them attempt to climb the ladder. All of them will enthusiastically beat up any new monkey who tries, without having any idea why.

Sometimes, this feels like life. People just accept the status quo as truth because others are seemingly doing the same, without knowing why they do that. They are not quite sure whether what they have been doing all along can be improved or changed. They may even say it’s the policy or a matter of public opinion. At times, it feels it’s just the standard practices that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Nothing else. Then if someone ask questions that are too far out of the comfort zone, that someone is ridiculed and scorned. All they did was ask a simple question that the others did not wish to think about.  Just like the new monkey, who has no any idea why.


"Peace is not won by those who fiercely guard their differences, but by those who with open minds and hearts seek out connections." ~ Katherine Paterson