Do you ever go into a bookshop and find one book in particular that ‘jumps out’ at you – a book that you feel compelled to buy?
It’s happened to me on a number of occasions, to the extent that I think we have some inbuilt radar system that guides us towards sources of information and inspiration that we need to be more effective in carrying out our life\’s purpose.
It happened again recently. But before I tell you the name of the latest book, let me share something personal with you …
[box type=\”shadow\”]\”I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.\”
– Siddhartha Buddah
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My own transformation started with a book
I believe my own \’personal transformation\’ started many years ago with a book.
It wasn’t a typical self-development book as you may be thinking. It was a book called ‘Fingerprints of the Gods’ by Graham Hancock which explored evidence for a mysterious lost civilization that, by all accounts if it existed, was even more technologically advanced than our own.
I didn’t choose the book. My wife brought it home from the library on a whim, thinking that it would appeal to me. Needless to say, it did, in a big way! In fact, it had a profound effect on the way I looked at things. It served to open my mind and set me on a quest for my own understanding of the mysteries and meaning of life.
Perhaps surprisingly, I had hardly been much of a book reader before that day. I still don’t read a lot of books. I tend to have reading ‘spurts’ and I’m pretty selective about what I read. But I have a huge appreciation for the value of well-written works on subjects that interest me.
A lost civilisation
In Fingerprints of the Gods, Hancock journeys to all parts of the world to gather clues that point towards the existence of a ‘lost’ civilisation. In Central America and Mexico his journey leads him to an in-depth look at the Mayan people whose history spans 3000 years between 2000BC and 1500AD.
The Mayans were remarkably accomplished mathematicians and are probably best known for their very sophisticated and highly accurate calendrical system, incorporating the so-called ‘Long Count’.
The end of a Great Cycle?
The Mayans believed that time could be divided into Great Cycles that involved successive creations and destructions of the world. According to the Maya the current, or fifth – and, in their view (somewhat disturbingly) the final – Great Cycle in which we now live began on 13th August 3114BC and will end on 23rd December 2012.
I’ve always been intrigued by the Mayan calendar and where such a sophisticated and precise device could have originated from. Perhaps even more intriguing, though, is the notion that – at least according to the Maya people – our world is due to end in late 2012.
This thought has been in the back of my mind since I first read Hancock’s outstanding work in 1999.
Catastrophe or Ecstasy?
More recently a book called Beyond 2012 – Catastrophe or Ecstasy, by Geoff Stray, jumped out at me and into my shopping basket! To be honest it’s not the easiest read but that’s because the author is meticulous about presenting his material in a completely fair, rational and objective way – so there’s lots of reported facts.
The fascinating thing about Stray’s work is that he exposes evidence that the belief that some major event or transition will occur in 2012, derives not just from the Mayans, but from all manner of religions and ancient cultures worldwide, including South Africa\’s very own Zulus!
Stray also presents credible evidence that the ‘event’ that is scheduled for late 2012 may not be a cataclysm that physically destroys the world but rather the completion of a transformation in human consciousness that spells an end to the world as we currently know it (a transformation that many agree started in the 1990s).
During some quiet time recently, I spent time reflecting on parts of the book that I had already delved into and the references to this transformative period that is supposedly reaching a climax.
A time of change
What struck me is how difficult it would be for even the most ardent sceptic to argue, with any merit, against the fact that major changes are taking place in our world right now. (You may wish to reference a previous blog post on this site called \’The Winds of Change\’).
Our climate is changing and changing rapidly. That much has been scientifically proven. Seismic, solar and geomagnetic activity on the planet has also been proven to be increasing. The world order, as we have become accustomed to it, is changing rapidly – brought on partly by the current global financial crisis and the rise to power of China.
And, at least as I see it, humanity as a whole is experiencing a marked increase in spiritual awareness and search for alternative meaning as people contemplate the changes that are taking place and the superficial nature of the happiness that people seek through the accumulation of material things.
Evolution of human consciousness
So, to my mind – and indeed in my own limited personal experience – there is a rapid period of evolution of consciousness occurring right now.
Whether this is related to the various 2012 predictions and whether the Mayan beliefs are founded in truth, we shall have to wait and see.
The link with Life Coaching
But how does all of this relate to life coaching?
Here’s my view:
Life coaching has, of course, been around for millennia if you look at the concept in the very broadest sense. However, life coaching as a discipline involving a structured process to help people realise their true potential, has only been with us since the mid to late 1990s.
Is it a mere coincidence that this practice sprang up shortly after the onset of what many agree is a period of rapid transformation in human consciousness?
I don’t think so.
Students and teachers
To thrive in today’s world we must reinvent ourselves; liberate ourselves from our own self-imposed mental shackles and learn to live the life of joy that was intended for us.
For rapid transformation of our species to come about, we need people who have experienced personal transformation and people who can teach personal transformation.
Every life coach is both a student and a teacher of personal development and life transformation and is therefore perfectly equipped for this task.
Thank you Bill for sharing your “book-from-the-shelf”- story.
I thought that I was imagening this kind of experiences, although, it feels sooo good!. Today, again, I met a person who I just felt it neccessarry to have a “know-each-other-better” conversation, and after I briefed her about life coaching, she was totally inspired.
Yes!, let ‘s prepare ourselves for this new cycle and challenge!!
In all the courses that I have conducted, I found that people have a need to know more about themselves. There is a “hunger” towards knowledge about the deeper “self”. It is almost as if materialistic persuance have tired them to such an extent that they feel an urge to turn inwards, while “flight or fight” is of no significance here. I experience more and more that the interest turns towards spiritual development in persuance of the improvement of the so called SQ or spiritual IQ, which, in turn, has nothing to do with religion. It is merely a “tool” towards achieving self-improvement and self-awareness.
Thanks Bill for the article ,it has confirmed something that I have been thinking about so long without being able to comprehend quite well.It is true what you are saying and I say this is the begining of an interesting era,an era of a fulfilling and worth living life!
You are not alone Sheilah. I sense there are many, many out there who have been thinking about this, albeit perhaps not fully consciously, for some time now!
I have felt this coming for a while, and I read a book similar to Fingerprints of the Gods. I have also found the Terra Papers of the Hopi extremely relevant and interesting. What is really interesting to me is the visions I’ve been having lately, I’ve seen a flood coming and also ‘beings’ from another planet coming to the rescue. I wouldn’t believe it as real, except my daughter who is 6 had a nightmare and told me exactly what my visions were about. Has anyone else had an experience like this?
Angie, i have not had 1st hand experience at this however i can refer you to people who might be able to help. i believe v much in what you are saying since we are ‘consciousness and all that is’. we are thus able to shift between dimensions which for me explains your dream and relationship to your higher self/ consciousness. try wayne herschel “THR publishers international” , http://www.thehiddenrecords.com/ – i think he can guide you and he is local. try dip into David Icke’s website or books, he speaks a lot about this sort of thing in his more recent work. i have huge respect for him. One of his books ‘Infinite Love is the Only Truth Everything Else is Illusion’ might give you answers. I believe you had this vision for good reason and hope you find purpose in it as you could contruibute greatly to our current system and relationship to the planet Earth. all the best with this!!
Angie – I recommend that you first google ‘jill bolte taylor – youtube dvd’ as this might give you better understanding into your experience. She is a Neuroanatomist / brain scientists who underwent a stroke (by accident) and had an amazing experience in terms of understanding the vastness of consciousness. Her spiritual discovery and share is unlike any scientist or doctor ‘s methodology – It’s absolutely mindblowing!
I think you have been given some good advice in going to see a neurobiologist (?) but I urge you to take David Icke with great caution if not a pinch of salt. I think he is a seriously disturbed individual. See what you think. And never stop searching.
From what we read and learn, it is our choice as to how we respond to the information gathered. We can choose to see disaster or we can choose to see opportunity. Thank you Bill for presenting another opportunity to choose our path.
It is true that our planet and everthing in it is changing and much quicker than we expect. Dec’ 12 , is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new age. Like with all things, this will come with negative and positive outcomes. I experirnce the greatest change within myself. Being a coach I am blessed to be able to recognise this and thus use it to my advantage. However, I come across more and more individuals that are struggling with the changes within themselves and what they assume to be their chosen path (usually dictated), by a third party. With much power, comes much responsibility, this is our time to prove the value of coaching. Fear , is all that keeps us from going and doing and being all that we need to for tomorrow.
Well said Juliet. Good luck with your coaching!
Thanks Bill, we are indeed living in very exciting times!
what an article – thanks Bill, much appreciated! and the truth shall set you free…
Food for thought
Yes, you are right Bill, I agree with you the level of awareness is going to improve and it is improving everyday. The book which jumped in my shopping basket one day was Umlimited Power by Anthony Robbins – I will always vividly remember the day.
Just to take it a bit further, do you know that due to the awareness growing everyday, soon we will not need our Cellphones. Telepathy will take over! Just imagine, some people are usomg already.
2012 for me is a the beginning