"Thou shalt be in league with the future, and the
generations to come after shall be at peace with thee."
____ Joanna Macy, World as Lover, World as Self
In what way can we be in league with the beings of the future, or conspire with them? Meditate upon your parents, sense them as though they stood behind you. Now visualize their parents behind them, and theirs behind them. Go back as far as you can from knowledge, and beyond that imagine the lines going back as far as you like. Be aware of all the good things you have inherited from
your ancestors. Now come forward from past times to your own time, aware of the tributaries of blood that flow into the river of your own veins. Now visualize your descendants in front of you, and their children and their children. Go as far forward in time as you like, imagining future generations. Be aware of all that you will bequeath them. Extend your meditation to include all the beings of the future - the many different species of life forms. What is their expectation of you? What can you do to bring peace between you?
Many people live their lives in fear of an all-powerful deity who they believe will zap them for bad behavior; they are like children who tip-toe around a cranky parent for fear of arousing his temper. How would it be if instead we lived our lives envisioning our descendants, the beings (of every species) of the future? How would it be if we regulated our decisions and life-style with them in mind? Instead of living fearfully or distrustfully, instead of trying to cut corners and steal a march on our forebears, how about living with our descendants in mind?
"What most practical wisdom from your own life would you bequeath to your descendants? Try the meditation suggested above."
[From: The Celtic Spirit by Caitlin Matthews]
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