This was published in 2014 and is exceedingly relevant today. – Gillian

Laura Bruno – I’ve posted Joanna Macy before as she shares this twelve centuries old prophecy, but yesterday’s information about Whole Foods and Monsanto (and by extension all those large, embedded corporations and our sick financial system) reminded me again of this story. Joanna’s portion begins right around the 1 minute mark.

The part that jumped out at me this time was the idea of effective weapons or tools that we can use to dismantle the horrific technology and life-killing aspects of this out of balance world:

“This is a time when all beings are in danger. In this time the kingdom of Shambhala will emerge. The Shambhala Warrior has two weapons: compassion, and the deep interconnectedness of all things. The smallest act with clear intention sends ripples throughout the web.

Do not be afraid of the pain of the world.” We need to show up — with the heat of compassion and the coolness of a wisdom that recognizes how things connect. As Joanna explains, without that wisdom, the compassion burns us out, but without the compassion, the wisdom remains cold.

Last night I had a conversation with someone whose heart keeps breaking at the cruelty she observes in our world. I explained to her that tears, sorrow and outrage at cruelty and oppression are not a sign of weakness. They reflect an awakening heart. The more our hearts awaken, the greater we feel the pain of the world.

But we also need the wisdom that recognizes how even tiny acts with great intention can move mountains. Getting stuck in tears, sorrow and outrage will burn us out before we have a chance to change our world. When we see the cruelty and create alternatives, when we alleviate some of the suffering, when we model other ways of living and being … then the interconnectedness of all things begins to shift reality. The two go together.

This prophecy and Joanna’s great spirit always bring me great comfort in this world.