Japan Hit By Earthquake
World disasters continue to occur, whether they stem from human actions or are the result of natural phenomena. It has been no more than nine months since the BP oil spill, and now another disaster has wreaked havoc. The world watched as Japan was hit with an earthquake that brought about destruction and killed thousands. Individuals who are traversing a spiritual path are now challenged to address another global crisis on a spiritual level.

A global crisis reflects values, beliefs, and attitudes that increasingly demonstrate an urgent need for change. When these beliefs are not examined, then they create dangers in the forms of addictions, destruction, and violence.

When destruction occurs from an act of nature, typically the core unconscious dynamics operating on the collective levels originate from an existential source. We may have an internal conflict with our relationship with the Source or God or a Larger Power. We may struggle with fear of annihilation or fear of not having control over our destiny or fear of being in a place of helplessness. These natural catastrophes can be opportunities to address these fears and release our egos from illusion.

In my work as a consultant and therapist, I assist the client in developing a centered internal focus that I call Heart Centered Awareness. This focus assists individuals in obtaining the observer state of consciousness and having an open heart, while being aware and present with their unconscious—now conscious—fears.

To give an example of working with the situation in Japan, you examine what you would be the most afraid of if you were experiencing such a crisis. Once you identify that fear, then it is necessary to remain present with the fear with an open heart, from a heart-centered state. The ego soon begins to drop its defensive structures, such as repressing this fear to the unconscious. Once the repression ends, healing occurs and the structure does not have to be projected onto another person. In this way, you can discover compassion. Compassion, much different than sympathy or pity, is the greatest power in assisting to heal the world and the essence of what it means to be human.