If there wasn’t such appalling ignorance among legislators, Rocco Galati would not be tied up in court challenges. (2015-05-30 News on Bill C-51. Court challenge. Lawyer Rocco Galati.)
Galati made me wonder about “aware“. Who is aware – – if I utter “Rocco Galati, COMER, Nadon, and now BIll C-51” how many Canadians would know whereof I speak?
Today I woke up thinking: could it be as simple as “aware”? (can things change, just through “aware”?)
In this and other small networks, for 15 years we have done little more than share information and do actions, to build awareness.
. . . If I re-read what I wrote yesterday . . . add what Steve Jobs said . . . . does it make the point: it’s as simple as “aware“?
“Awareness” is related to the recurring question: (2013-12-13) What are The Dynamics of Change ? Awareness is one key to open one door to change. … OR, is there only one door, and it is opened by “aware”?
If we understand “awareness” better, would it be easier to bring about change? (for example, in educating our children about the pillars of Democracy, the Constitution and the Rule of Law. When legislators themselves are ignorant about Democracy, let alone our kids, we are vulnerable indeed to police states and tyrants)!
The Dynamics of Change contains a list of postings related to Change; awareness is named but not elaborated upon.
- how does it work?
- what are the permutations?
- what is its role?
- what does “aware” + “empathic” equal?
- what is the difference between “awareness” and “consciousness”, as in “I am aware of …” vs “I am conscious of . . “?
(Relax – – I am not about to talk about all the questions I raise!)
START WITH “AWARE” IN THE BROADER SPHERE – – IS ANYTHING TO BE LEARNED USING THE GALATI EXAMPLE?
Many more Canadians know the name “Rocco Galati” on June 1st than on May 31st, 2015.
- There were about 2,000 hits on the 4-minute video (Galati, clear statement on Bill C-51) when first I watched it, compared with more than 7,000 by June 2. And close to 9,000 by June 3.
(Not counting all the hits on a video of the same thing in the Huffington Post article about Galati’s stance on Bill C-51.)
But how many Canadians are aware of COMER? – – also Galati work.
- My friends at the Qualicum Institute, among many others, are informed about COMER through social media.
- Some of you will be aware of Galati’s work through this fairly recent and quite limited mainstream media coverage: excellent interview of Galati by Amanda Lang (CBC News)
- (2015-02-05) Canadians Sued The Bank Of Canada & Won. Mainstream Media & Government Blacks Out Story. (I was surprised to see that the legal actions started as early as 2011. And yes, maybe that’s why few people know about COMER – – a deliberate black-out (yeeeaay! now broken!). The win referred to was one step going up the legal staircase.
Along the spectrum, there is that “kind of” awareness that comes from forgetfulness, if you’re like me. A reminder in the interview by Amanda Lang brings it back: (2014-03-21) Marc Nadon appointment rejected by Supreme Court – – also Galati work.
The man is important, but prior to May 30, this year, I was not really aware of him.
I could not have named Rocco Galati, even though I posted and circulated information about the Nadon case in February.
With COMER, I thought it would be a VERY long-term, if ever, project. I only watched it from the corner of my eye. Others were dogged.
Now SUDDENLY, it seems that the wave of awareness around Bill C-51 will propel the COMER initiative into more general awareness. Hallelujah! . . . Unforeseen events aid awareness. (John Kenneth Galbraith claimed that change comes about through “the march of events”. See The Dynamics of Change.)
. . . Oh! I didn’t consider “use of the Law” in “The Dynamics of Change”. Nor the “solidarity” aspect. Bill C-51 has thus far been unstoppable. Galati understands like few others, the importance of the Constitution as a safeguard for our rights in the face of police state features (see the 4-minute video ). He has to win. We have to make him known and supported. Change is easier through solidarity.
“AWARE” IN THE SPHERE OF THE INDIVIDUAL,
REFLECTING ON EXPERIENCE FROM BILL C-51
Saturday, May 30, 2015 was another cross-Canada Day of Action against Bill C-51. For two hours, on an impromptu basis, we handed out a notice to passers-by in a steady stream to and from the Famers’ Market. We smiled, laughed and talked; I enjoy this kind of engagement, always encounter poignant stories that add to understanding (one in particular that I hope to tell you some time). But in general we had people who were, in relation to Bill C-51:
completely unaware and not interested
- completely unaware, but curious to learn
- very aware and supportive of our efforts
- aware and not supportive
- aware and hostile to our efforts
One lady snarled that she supports Bill C-51: stop the terrorists “before they kill all of us!“.
My sense is that it is difficult and useless to try and have a conversation with an angry person (she was not the only “angry”!). Change (which is about the same as “learning”, by my way of understanding) is easier in a population of people who are emotionally, psychologically and spiritually healthy. Angry people tend to view disagreement with their views as an attack on their person. I have nothing against the lady – – don’t take her words personally; I don’t know what she lives with – – which will be the source of the anger, not me.
HOWEVER! there is a DIFFERENT kind of anger that can play a significant role in bringing about change. It’s awareness – – the “Seeing through things” kind of awareness: (2014-06-14) A Veteran’s Savage Indictment of the Iraq War: “Angry Men”, Betrayal by leaders.
What is the difference between “awareness” and “consciousness”, as in “I am aware of …” vs “I am conscious of . . “?
I googled the question, found interesting material and went down a rabbit hole. I conclude: as with other words in the English language, there is not one single interpretation. “Aware” and “conscious” do not have a consistent meaning or usage across different communities and different contexts. I leave you to YOUR interpretation; and I to mine!
- the dictionary definition of each word (“aware”, “conscious”), independent of one another will be useful to some.
- Others may be interested in Gurdjieff – Difference between Awareness and Consciousness, 2 minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnto-9Q6A5k
- As a philosophical question, is it possible to gain uniformity of understanding when there are different beliefs about spirituality (awareness and consciousness)? I doubt it.
Could the answer be as simple as “Aware”?
As explained, I woke up thinking “Could it be as simple as Aware?”. . . . my sub-conscious (the Old Shoemaker and the Elves fable – – he falls asleep, the elves do all the work. I wake up, sell the shoes and don’t starve to death!) Here, all I have to do is write down the elves’ work, and get from there to what Steve Jobs said! Which is what we all know but might need reminding of.
AWARE IS ENUF
So, does it go like this?
AWARE IS ENUF
I am aware
- SOME people were aware of the dangers in Bill C-51
- SOME people were aware of the importance of Rocco Galati’s work to protect constitutional rights
- SOME people are aware of the power they have
- Then comes the wild card, and
- The awareness of SOME creates awareness in others, with tools too varied to tell or predict
I am aware
- That same simple process is repeating and repeating on climate change, on justice for families whose children were raped, abused and killed in large numbers (more than 6,000 alone were killed), on re-imagining and re-designing our fossilized institutions, on protection of the means for survival (our environment), whether that be in Canada or in the Middle East. . . . what a huge bee-hive of activity! You can hardly even imagine all the various themes.
I am aware
- That over the last 15 years (in the 21st Century) the largest awareness is of our connectedness. I am not separate from you, or from that crazy little crab running sideways. Water containing invisible poisons affects a cell, hers and eventually mine. I cannot poison the Earth with toxins, be they physical or emotional (hatred, jealousy, greed) without poisoning myself.
And if I am aware that I am going to die (so are you!) . . . well then! why not do what I love? And have fun doing it? I definitely do not love war and injustice and destruction of the beautiful and consumerism and behaviour that creates enemies. What I love doing is tending to the things I love. Simple enough?!
STEVE JOBS SAID ABOUT IT (he died in October 2011, at age 56)
With preface by (I didn’t find the name):
” . . . at the end of the Tales. The sole means now for the saving of the beings of the Planet Earth would be to implant again into their presence a new organ of such properties that every one of these unfortunates during the process of existence should constantly sense and be cognizant of the inevitability of his own death, as well as the death of everyone upon whom his eyes or attention rests. Only such a sensation and such a cognizance can now destroy the egoism completely crystallized in them.
Perhaps there is no more striking and a propos statement by Steve Jobs then:
(EXCERPT FROM (2005-06-14) Steve Jobs’ address to Stanford University students. )
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I have ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life, because almost everything- – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – – these things just fall away in the face of death leaving only what is truly important.
Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ” (Stanford Commencement 2005)
(Back to Sandra speaking) So what do you think? Is simple awareness enough? By my observation, the tide HAS turned. Every single day I see success stories. Empowered people who are standing up for the things they love, that are at great risk. The change isn’t orchestrated – it’s self-organizing. Enough of us are aware of our impending death.