How to Create a Parallel Society
When you read the news or think about voting this next election, are you excited about the future? Do you proudly consider yourself a part of your society, fully engaged in the decision making that shapes your life, and eager to help implement the policies put in place by your political leaders? Are you satisfied with the pace and direction of change? If so, I wish you all the best and will keep a close eye on all that you’re doing in case I can learn from it.
If not, I invite you to come along on the journey I am embarking to create something new in response to the challenges I see in the world around us. Whatever has you concerned, whether it’s extinction of the bees and the whales, the forced colonization of the human body, or the Great Reset envisaged by the World Economic Forum - where you’ll own nothing and be happy about it (or is it that they’ll own everything and be happy about it? I’m never clear on which), you have likely pursued different avenues to shift modern society to a course you prefer. You may have joined the system to change it from within, written letters and organized lobby efforts to make change from the outside, or attempted to disrupt it through protest or boycotts.
I myself have tried everything from protests in the street, to working within and on the board of non profits, to running for office in order to make society go in the direction I want. But despite my best efforts, our current economic, political and social systems are failing to undergo the dramatic modification, and in some cases dissolution, that I would like. That may be all to the good, since I don’t have nearly enough knowledge (I don’t think anyone does) to say what’s best for the world. However, I can say that I don’t wish to participate in much of what current society has to offer. In the past two years, during which our choices within society have become increasingly restricted, and the decisions of global corporate and governmental monoliths recede ever further from my ability to influence, I feel it is time to take a new tactic.
Rather than insist mainstream society does what I want, especially when it has given no sign that it is interested in my critiques, it is time for me to take responsibility for creating my own society - even if that society has a population of just me - that can function healthily on its own, and interact with the wider world outside when necessary. Building exciting, fun and functional solutions is the best way to demonstrate what it is I want, what others do with what I share is completely up to them.
If you too are tired of butting your head up against the brick wall of entrenched economic and political interests, here are some basic steps I suggest to create a parallel society.
Recognize your perfection.
In this world of status and credentials, most of us consistently underestimate what we have to offer. We underestimate how likeable we are, how resilient we are, and how creative we can be. This doesn’t mean we’re smarter, stronger or more popular than our peers, it means that we have our own qualities and ideas that are of significant value. If you don’t like how something is being done, you may be the one who can create a better way of doing it. You are a divine creature, unique in a universe that doesn’t make mistakes. Put your perfection to good use - helping you!
Recognize your inherent freedom
When we speak of not having the freedom to speak or act in the ways that are best suited to our needs we forget that no one can truly take away our freedom. Everything we do involves choice. Sometimes we don’t like the choices, but we always have them. Others may try to control our bodies or our minds, but these earthly bodies and egos are not our divine essence. It may sound woo woo, but the truth is that you are not your name, your hair colour, or your age, you are energy. You are part of the infinite fabric of the universe - and anyone who tries to control that might as well try to capture sunlight in their hands. When you realize you are free, you will see choices that aren’t apparent when you see yourself as trapped.
Connect with others whose views align with you
When we focus on the society that doesn’t do what we want, we forget that there are many others who share our own values. Rather than wasting energy trying to convince those who resist what we have to say, we can seek out people who are open to dialogue. Work with the people who want to build together, support those who are undergoing the same struggles, and have fun with the people who want to party - there are always opportunities to dance and sing, sometimes they are just a little harder to find.
Maintain your integrity
The whole reason to start your own tribe comes from misaligning with the current one. If you wish to form a new society, stay closely connected to the inner voice that drove you away from the last one. If you are running from war, don’t create war in your new world - with yourself, with your peers, with even those who consider you their enemy. If you are leaving the wasteful exploitation of the old world, don’t repeat it in your new one. It can be tempting to take shortcuts along the way, falling into the patterns of conventional society, where the supposed beneficial end is used to justify the harmful means, but doing so will just mean you replicate the destructive patterns you are trying to escape.
Build bridges, don’t burn them
In times of particular turmoil and division, it can be tempting to write off people who disagree with you, or whose views you find hurtful or even repugnant. But in the new society we are building, it will be much harder to survive as an isolated island than it will be to connect with the old one through bridges of friendship and love. We don’t want to entirely throw out the baby with the bathwater - there are still many things to learn and benefit from in conventional society. We must realize that, just as those who are happy with current society don’t seem to understand us, we too are likely guilty of misunderstanding the motives and rationale of others. If we allow the possibility that others are trying to find the right way just as we are, we will find allies everywhere, and be able to keep the doors open to those who may realize the benefit of what we have to offer. That perfection and freedom we talked about? Those are just as true about other people as it is of you. Everyone, whether they speak the same language (or lingo) as us or not, is a perfect being who loves freedom. Let them have the freedom to see the world their way and speak their own truth. If what others say doesn’t resonate with you, don’t take it on, but neither try to take away their freedom to journey on their own path.
Devote your energy to solutions instead of problems
Most of us live firmly in the world of our ego, which is on a ceaseless quest that will never be satisfied by following its directions. We are often in a state I call “problem mind”, that comes up with a myriad of problems that pose obstacles to creativity. Whenever you notice yourself living in that world of problems, acknowledge that’s where you are, and then take a break until a solution naturally arises. You can recognize a solution by the feeling it gives you - if you feel peace or even joy when it arises, that’s a solution. If you feel stress and rigidity when you consider something, that’s a problem. Go with the solutions you feel, and don’t fall into the trap of thinking solutions need to be grand world changing spectacles. A solution can be washing the dishes, hugging a friend, listening to bird song. If there is a meaning of life, it isn’t about efficiently and successfully executing items on a massive to do list. It’s much more likely to be about immersing yourself wholly in the present moment. It’s not up to any of us to solve the problems we see. It’s only up to us to live this very moment in peace, and for that there is always a solution within your grasp.
Accept and adapt instead of resisting.
The news and social media seem to come up with a new problem every day, if not every minute, to throw us into fight or flight mode. When something is happening elsewhere that panics, despairs or angers you, bring yourself back to where you are. The radio may speak of war and devastation, but you are sitting at your kitchen table, with no bombs in sight. Social media may speak of a perspective you vehemently disagree with, but you are safely on the couch with yourself, the best friend who knows exactly what you mean and agrees wholeheartedly. Rather than resisting the reality - that the radio is telling you of war, that someone on Twitter has a pov opposed to yours - accept it. Accept the painful feelings you have, accept that others are doing things differently than you want them to, and move to adaptation. How are you personally going to act in this moment? If all you can see are problems, know that you’re in problem mind and give yourself a break. Bring your mind away from the war of resistance, and into the loving embrace of acceptance. It is from that point that peaceful action can flow.
8, 9, 10…: Do what you want
I could continue this list ad infinitum with the things that I think you should do. I have countless imaginary rules for this new society I want, actions we need to take and relationships I think we must build. When you and I come together we can and will create that structure (or lack thereof). But as a starting point, I think this new society will work best if we each do what we want. No more signing up for stuff you think you should probably do. No going along with something you do not want in your own heart. There is already a current society with prescribed roles and rules if you are willing to let others dictate your direction. This new society is about embracing what you want. That doesn’t mean that it won’t involve work, or helping others with difficult tasks. It means that whatever you do, you will do wholeheartedly and without resentment. From the gratitude that comes with being able to live life the way you want, arises the energy and love that moves the world.
If you want more ideas on creating a parallel society, or to hear my perspective on the existing one, subscribe here.