Occupy! The 60's Virus Revisited?

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." - Yoko Ono

Some years back, I wrote (I think) a piece called "Trigger the 60's Virus," with, however, little thought or hope that it would ever happen.  For those of us who were alive and active back then in the 60's and 70's, it was a time like no other. I know everyone says that about their time, but even historians admit that it was a very unique time, at least in the more recent times.  Thousands were coming out to the streets for many reasons, most notably, for peace and against the Viet Nam war. For God's sake, even my 50 something mother who spent the majority of her adult life drinking coffee, smoking Pall Mall cigarettes and reading the newspaper at the kitchen table, came out to protest! - though most probably in hopes that neither of her sons would have to go and come back in a box. (Thankfully, neither of us ended up having to go.)


So, for the last couple of decades, even though most of my energy has been focused on speaking and teaching on Self Realization and Awareness, there was definitely a part of the Aja personality that was somewhat saddened and dismayed by the apparent total lack of interest, the total narcissistic apathy, in what was happening in the world. Thus I was, and am, deeply moved by the Occupy movement that is taking place all over  the world, even though under a variety of names.  Much of it is still self-oriented, but what else gets people motivated.

Currently, according to Meetup.com there are over 2,000 Occupy communities around the world!  Granted, some of these are only a few people, as can be seen from the photo here, there are tens, and hundreds of thousands of people who have actually taken to the streets. While the numbers vary wildly, depending on the day of the week, the time of day, the weather, etc., and although the focus/reasons for each individual being out there, the bottom line is that people are finally getting out there. They are awakening to the fact that things aren't right, and as one Fox commentator noted - If you ask five people why they're there, you'll get five different answers.  They've lost their jobs. They've lost their homes. The governments are no longer looking out for them. We're seeing one group becoming phenomenally wealthy while others can't afford basic necessities. Countries are forcing austerity measures. Other countries are going, or have gone bankrupt. The Fed keeps pumping out worthless fiat paper money, and on and on and on....

Anyway, the bottom line is the people, the 99%, our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, our children, our friends - they are OUT THERE.  And for whatever reason they are there, to each and EVERY ONE of them, I make a very deep and heart felt bow of love and humility.  Consider joining them!  Be the Change!