Review
This book offers a unique perspective on 2012 - a message of genuine hope for humankind. James Endredy, a noted writer, teacher, and shamanic practitioner, consults the First Shamans, Fire Spirit Tataiwari (Grandfather Fire) and Earth Spirit Nakawe (Grandmother Growth) for wisdom and guidance about how best to prepare for this critical time. Tataiwari and Nakawe reveal how the evolution of human consciousness, sustaining the earth, and our personal happiness and well-being are all connected. They also offer a wealth of practical ways for each of us to personally help spark the transformation of human consciousness. Learn how your positive actions - reciprocity, compassion, love, and respect for the essences and energies that sustain life on our world - can help heal and transform the planet.
236pp, 190mm x 232mm, illus. in b&w, softback, 2008

Extract

Our Personal Role in the Transformation of Human Consciousness
Many of us are now asking the question, 'What am I to do?' We ask this as we begin to feel unsatisfied with our lives or when we wake up to the reality that there must be more to life than how much we can produce. A growing number of people are feeling restless about the future. I asked our Grandfather about this.

Listen closely, hijo: the best thing that can happen to your people right now is for all of them to become disillusioned, disappointed, disheartened. These feelings are what precede awakening. The more sick and tired you are of the way things are, the more energy you will give toward transformation! Are you feeling dissatisfied? Restless? Disappointed? Or feeling ungratified by money, possessions, success, status? Good! This is the first step to waking up to your True Self!

'I understand the wisdom of what you say, Grandfather, but for those of us who feel this way, what are we supposed to do?'

Tell your people not to be afraid of what will happen to them if they abandon their old ways. The old ways must be abandoned in order to change. When, during the course of the day, you begin to feel worried about the changes you are making or planning, simply turn your mind toward passive reflection and see yourself and your actions through the eyes of your Grandmother. If your actions are in tune with hers, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Negative feelings are caused by you, not by what happens to you. You will always react to external happenings, but it is how you react that is the key to happiness and peace.

'So you?re saying it?s okay to have these feelings of dissatisfaction?'

Yes! It?s an important part of your process in awakening. But you must be careful not to dwell on these shadow feelings. The shadow is the partner of light. But as children of the sun, it is your job to spread the light. Do not secretly take pleasure in negativity. It is a trap that people often fall into. People often secretly enjoy their own depression, and they can hardly wait to tell you about it. Shadow emotions like jealousy or anger can give one a false sense of aliveness. You are human, so at times these emotions may arise. But don?t live there. As much as you can, in every moment, walk the earth as a little sun. As you do this, you will break free from the spell that has captured your people. You must dare to think for yourself! Do not give your power over to other people! Arrange your life so that your actions are in line with your Mother. That is your task right now.

'Grandfather, you say not to worry about what will happen if we give up our old ways. But many of us have spent a lifetime building what we have. Are we to just turn our backs on all those things? That is scary to even think about, let alone do.'

Learn from what you have accomplished, hijo. Everything has a purpose. But recognize that even with all you have done, you still feel like there is more. That is good. Do not turn your back, look forward. But remember - and this is important - anything that you struggle too much for, you will be afraid of losing. There is no point in worrying about money, prestige, or how other people see you. Align your acts of creation with your Mother, and everything else will fall into place. You will know what to do next.

'Are you talking about intuition?'

Yes, hijo! Now you are understanding. Intuition is alignment. What you call synchronicity is alignment. When you begin to know your True Self, your Luminous Self, you no longer must struggle to make good things happen. They just do! The more you are in alignment with your Mother, the more intuition and synchronicity become normal acts of creation for you that you feel all the time. Your Luminous Self does not need exterior success to validate your worth or to make you happy. It is good to create things, things in alignment with your Mother, but do not fall into the trap of judging your worth on what you produce. Spread the light, and the results of your actions will come naturally from your heart - from your Luminous Self.

'But Grandfather, many people want to know what their specific task or job is to be during these times of transformation. What can you tell me about that?'

Yes, everyone has talents, knowledge, and skills, whether they know them or not, and everyone has one or more specific tasks to contribute in these times of radical change. This is a big subject, hijo, which we will speak of more later. First we must speak of something else. In order for your people to find their true tasks that are in alignment with their Mother, they must awaken to the Luminous Self. It is only from this state of consciousness that the guidance of unity and alignment become clear.

From Beyond 2012: A Shaman's Call to Personal Change and the Transformation of Global Consciousness ?2008 by James Endredy, published by Llewellyn Publications.