Contributing writer for Wake Up World
The anti-war movement, anti-police violence, pro civil rights activism of the 1960’s hippie era was the biggest cultural peaceful protest since Gandhi freed South Asia perhaps, or at least since they began fluoridating the water! The expression born out of this counterculture was the mostly intoxicant related idea, ‘turn on, tune in and drop out.’
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Today, as activists protest police violence, corrupt wars, and the oligarchical destruction of clean air and water, the phrase and the sentiment needs an update. Being how the counterculture was corrupted by the idea that people should do drugs, let me be clear that I am not suggesting that you use any intoxicants – unless you use cannabis to protest the unjust laws and the oligarchical efforts to destroy the plant. Cannabis aside, today we need to turn off, tune out, stand in and drop out.
Turn Off, Tune Out, Stand In and Drop Out
The dropout may be a hero but the ignorant is not. There is a big difference between the dropout as a hero and the ignorant as sheep. There is a whole world of institutionalized individuals who are like The Hopi Two-Hearted, expressing the misgivings of an institution to feed a mechanized heart and not the single truth of individuals. Take for example the woman who chastised protesters in Hong Kong, telling them that, “safety is more important than freedom.” She made this institutionalized interjection as if it had some philosophical basis, when in fact it has none. Indeed, one of the founding revolutionaries of The United States said the complete opposite.
“Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” ~Benjamin Franklin
Now, as activists who say might be challenging Monsanto/Bayer or the Government of the state we are in, it is extremely important to be courteous and respectful and to maintain your cool, for you never know who you might encounter or rather who you might trigger.
As activists, 108 holds an important lesson for us, as it represents the trinity of time: 1 for the present, 0 for the past, and 8 for the infinite future. Anything is possible. We are countering negativity with information on potential positive paths for the future.
For meditators, 108 is the simplest meditation instruction. Be 1 with the breath, let 0 thoughts coalesce and tap into the infinite, 8. When we are in the middle of an activist encounter, no matter the level of absurdity of seriousness it can be of critical help to regain calm and centered focus. The 108 meditation is possibly the very simplest way to regain the meditative mind state and certainly among the most effective as well.
Don’t forget that 108 relates to the intent behind activism, namely transmutation/change. 1 is for acceptance. It represents the singular ‘now’ moment; what is. It reminds us that we cannot change anything unless we understand and accept reality.
0 is for integration. It represents the integration of the past. It reminds us that we cannot change anything until we integrate our reality, understanding everything as it just is; where there is 0 negative and 0 positive, just the mix if you will, the integrated whole.
8 is for the transmutation. It represents the infinite undefined potential. It reminds us that we can change our reality in infinite ways, yet only after acceptance and integration of the entirety can we see and understand then act on that potential.
By understanding the power of 108 as a meditative tool for activism, we can create change from a centered and holistic perspective.
Turn off, tune out, stand in and drop out.
Recommended articles by Ethan Indigo Smith:
- The Relationship Between Om and 108
- The World’s Oldest Profession is Not What You Think
- The Duality of Polarity: Beyond Nationalism and Globalism
- The Energy of the Divine Masculine
- Tai Chi – The “Grand Ultimate” Form of Self Development
- Understanding Ascension: The Geometry of Energy
- The Mandala: The Sacred Geometry of Meditation
- The Common Origins of Religions and Theology
- Aum Mani Padme Hum: The Integration of Duality and Polarity
- Meditation 108: A Guide to Meditating for the Infant Practitioner
Want to learn more about the metaphysical relationship of 108, and how it can help you live “in the zone”? Check out Ethan Indigo Smith’s book 108 Steps to Be in The Zone.
In this work, Ethan provides a set of 108 meditative practices and steps toward self discovery and individual betterment, including techniques to develop balance, transmute sexual energy and better the self.
“Ethan’s work on meditation achieves a level of rarefied quality so necessary to metaphysical writing and teaching. The 108 Steps is simple and profound, and rich in details and analogies that bring the inner truths of diverse traditions into usefulness in the present time. Ethan’s writing… lays out a system that can be used beneficially to reveal one’s inner nature and the truths we all seek sooner or later.” ~ Laura Peppard, Founder and Director of the Reno Psychic Institute.
“108 Steps to Be in The Zone” is available here on Amazon.com.
About the author:
Activist, author and Tai Chi teacher Ethan Indigo Smith was born on a farm in Maine and lived in Manhattan for a number of years before migrating west to Mendocino, California. Ethan’s work is both deeply connected and extremely insightful, blending philosophy, politics, activism, spirituality, meditation and a unique sense of humor.
You can connect with Ethan on Facebook, check out his author page on Amazon, or visit his new websites, Geometry Of Energy and Meditation 108, where Ethan offers lessons on individuation, meditation, the conceptualization of energy, and the metaphysical significance of 108.
Ethan’s books include:
- The Geometry of Energy: How to Meditate: Simple and profound, this book offers an empowering four-step meditation, focused through the sacred dimensions of geometry.
- The Little Green Book of Revolution an inspirational book based on ideas of peaceful revolution, historical activism and caring for the Earth like Native Americans.
- Meditation and Geometry for The Youth: A short and sweet book to introduce young people to meditation and sacred geometry, in a simple format for the youth and youthful alike.
- 108 Steps to Be In The Zone, a set of 108 meditative practices for self discovery and individual betterment, including techniques to develop balance, transmute sexual energy.
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