I'm so glad you are here and I don't think it's an accident that you are! If you have read this far, that tells me that you are a person of conscience and compassion and never has our world needed people like you more than it does now!

Forces of greed, hatred and domination are threatening the very survival of our planet. The destructive wake of this negativity has resulted in; environmental degradation, unchecked military expansion at the expense of education, healthcare and jobs at home, the scourge of racism, the fact that one billion people live on less than $1 a day, escalating violence, a "war without end" and the exploitation and oppression of millions to fuel the insatiable lust of a small, yet powerful elite - this is what we are being called to rally against.

Our salvation lies not only in saying no to those who would put profits and power over people and our earth, but in how we say it. Two of our greatest teachers of the twentieth century, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Ghandi have laid the ground for us. As we go forward may the examples of their lives give us courage to speak the truth and to walk our talk. May Ghandi's words strengthen our resolve; "You must be the change you wish to see." May King's words resonate in our hearts; "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

We must love with all our might and all our passion those values that put people, the earth and all life first! This means making the Golden Rule, a rule that is in every major religion on earth, the standard by which we measure everything we do as an individual and a nation. We do this, not just because it is asked of us, as a civilized people, but because we've come to the realization that 'what I do to another, I do to myself.' As the colored figures on the Waking Planet World Flag remind us, all people are needed and they must stand in balanced and equal relationship to one another for humanity's true brilliance to shine!

Yes, the challenge of these times is great, but not as great as what is inside of us! This is our time to remember who we are and what we are here to do! We need to identify ourselves visibly and to feel strength and hope in our growing numbers.

The Waking Planet image is not only about a possible, new world. It is also about the choice each of us has to come into a new and more loving relationship with ourselves. To me, the image represents the wholeness and beauty of the self-accepting, awakened individual. The red, orange, yellow, green, blue and indigo figures represent the energy centers (chakras) in each of us. When you heal your past and embrace your true innocence, these centers glow with vitality and you are given all you need to be of service and to live a life of greater meaning and joy.

The sun and the moon also represent the masculine and feminine sides of your nature. As more people come into balance we will see a resurgence of the sacred feminine with its qualities of intuition, cooperation, nurturance and kindness which are so needed on the earth at this time. I have created a guided meditation, using the Waking Planet image, to help you harmonize and clear your energy as a first step toward experiencing greater inner peace. It and other meditations for healing and awakening will be featured in upcoming issues of the Waking Planet Entries.

Waking Planet Chronicles will be published monthly and be available online at no cost to you. To sign up, email Barbara@WakingPlanet.com. (Your name and email address will never be shared with anyone. Guaranteed!) Waking Planet Entries will highlight stories of courage, inspiration and joy…stories of personal and collective awakening from around the world.

I invite you to be a part of this communal journal! We will be looking for true stories that demonstrate the power of love over fear, and that show us how ordinary people are doing extraordinary things to create a more just, peaceful and sustainable world. There will also be articles to help guide you through these incredible times.

We will also explore working with the Waking Planet image itself. I have found it to be an excellent visual to use in meditation! After looking at it for a few minutes I find I'm often in a lighter and more peaceful frame of mind. It has also enhanced my visualizations and dream recollection. I'm dreaming more in color too!

I believe the power of the Waking Planet image resides in its simplicity. I realize that everyone may not interpret it as I do and that is OK. When I look at it, I have a sense of 'standing on the sun' looking at our earth and moon at the time of a lunar eclipse. That it represents a cosmic event in time adds to its power for me. But you may not see it that way. You may not 'see' the double rainbow, or be able to express verbally what it means to you, yet that doesn't diminish the energy that it radiates. No matter how you interpret it, or choose not to, is fine. I only ask that if you feel a connection to it, that it will provide the positive energy you need to help you be your best, highest and happiest self in this lifetime.

Thank-you for being you!

In Peace, Love and Wakefulness,

Barbara Upton

Barbara Upton is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, artist and writer. She is the past president of True Essence Creations - dedicated to helping people remember the miracle of who they are, through guided meditation tapes, workshops and private consultations. She is available as a group facilitator and for presentations on Our Waking Planet and Awakening to Inner Peace.