Recently I experienced a very peaceful dream where everyone on the planet checked in with themselves before making decisions. In the dream, choices, even the insignificant ones, were put through a quick screening process. People insisted on making choices that were aligned with their life aspirations of honouring truth, wisdom, and love. They questioned if their choices were compatible with that vision. If applied, did their choice serve the greater good? When acted upon, would their decision uphold their values and be ethically sound? These questions became the standard for making healthy choices.
Generally, this process takes only a few moments. Occasionally, much deeper thinking and consideration of more information and ideas is required. In the dream this practice included both thoughts and feelings. People’s choices needed both a logical assessment and an awareness of one’s emotional content. The mind and the heart were both equally valued contributors in the method of choice. Love and logic was the balanced approach to all thinking, feeling, and doing.
The dream didn’t feel like utopia. There wasn’t an absence of opposing views, as disagreements and confrontations still existed. In fact, the diversity of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours was as rich as ever. However, a greater feeling of peace and trust in people’s honourable intentions was the common thread running through the dream. Although perspectives varied, people did not impose their will over others. In that way the dream did feel altruistic.
Reflecting on this dream and how I honestly make choices, helps me realize how my decision-making is hindered. In my life unregulated stress, attachment to outcomes, and personal fears, hampers my decisions. Too many my choices are not guided, but default to what is immediately gratifying or least challenging. When I am in doubt and my insecurities are heightened, it becomes tempting to avoid conscious, loving decisions. Habitually, I fall back into making uniformed, and rash choices. Especially when I am struggling, there is a profound need for critical thinking, and an honest connection to my emotions. When the pressure is on, and the stakes are high, pausing and honestly inspecting my thoughts and feelings before acting, is a crucial step. This process takes practice where people deliberately assess the merits of their choices while attempting to predict likely consequences of daily decisions.
This routine of thinking about thoughts, and feeling emotions, enhances peoples most precious gift, being able to choose wisely.
In this dream as in reality, alliance of moment-to-moment choices to integrity, yields peace and often provides outcomes that we are proud of. Taking time to allow truth, wisdom, and love to guide my choices will help the dream become reality.
Namaste Chris