Until Hiroshima, the species-survival of Man has been taken for granted. Founded on the inexorable forward motion of life, and expressed via the instinct of self-preseryation, the desire for survival has shaped our physiology, our mentality, our social structure and our philosophy. And since each positive fact of existence generates its own opposite, we find ourselves presently with the potential for species-extinction and planetary sterilization. The same technology that grew in aid of survival carries with it the threat of destruction.

It's appropriate and necessary at this time to ponder the situation, and to ask certain questions that, until the present state of our technology had been achieved, had neither meaning nor validity.

In Terran species other than Homo sapiens, individual survival is significant only until a new generation has been born and reared to the point of self-sufficiency. Once its reproductive function is fulfilled, an individual plant, microbe, insect or animal is superfluous, except perhaps as prey for the next stage of the food-chain in which it participates. The human individual continues to contribute to species-survival beyond the reproductive years, however, because of our ability to accumulate and refine experience. Since we have developed the powers of mind, memory and spirit, the individual can function as a positive factor in species survival in the communication of knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

Invoking these virtues, let us examine the nature of survival, and specifically, the survival of Man.

The dictionary defines the verb, survive, as 1., to outlive; endure; 2., to live; exist. Perhaps the definition might be extended to read 1., as applied to the individual, to live until the completion of one's life-work, and 2., as applied to the species, to continue in generational sequence until all evolutionary possibilities encoded in the DNA molecule be manifested. Admittedly, there is an extension to the second part of that definition. The genetic code itself is modified by mutation, thus opening up further vistas of development. However, one can surmise that eventually the intelligent essence encoded in the molecule will reach the stage of dispensing with a physical vehicle, thus fulfilling its own nature and that of the double helix. All valid systems of growth/evolution/education phase themselves out: the measure of their success lies in their rendering themselves unnecessary.

What is survival, then? Enduring until the proper end be achieved. Simple awareness makes it clear that we have only begun the real business of approaching the proper end. The millions of years of evolution prior to now have been preparatory; the gradual elevation of the almost-horizontal graph-line of haman development has barely begun its hyperparabolic upswing. To extinguish the species at its current state of development would leave its potential vastly unfulfilled.

We've begun our first tentative steps away from the mother planet. We are an adaptable species; we inhabit our world from the polar extremes to the tropics. It's highly likely that, with our technology, we can expand our habitat into regions of greater extremes than our own world permits. Even the establishment of "Noah's Ark" colonies on other planets or in orbital cities cannot represent sufficient survival-insurance. The seeds of self-destruction are within us, and can be dealt with only on a species-wide basis.

The threat of destruction arises from the false perception of separation between individuals, nations, races and politico-economic systems. As individuals, we assume that our person-hood is limited by our skins. We form relationships with other individuals in varying degrees of intimacy and intensity. We perceive ourselves as the central point, surrounded by concentric circles of relationships. There are family, friends, acquaintances, business associates, members of our political party, ethnic group, neighborhood, city, state, nation and planet. With those of the most intimate relationships, there often exists an empathy and sometimes telepathy that unites the individual consciousnesses. The more distant the relationship, the more tenuous the empathy bond. Only seldom are we, as individuals, aware of our entire species -- and then only briefly, and on a rarified and intellectual plane. Our waking consciousness is most often focused on our individual concerns, and the radius of perception limited to the spheres of practical interest. As a species, we do share more than a single planet and racial chromosome pattern.

That which Dr. Jung terms the Racial Unconscious is the unifying factor of our species. Parallels and similarities among the myths and symbols of all human cultures attest to the reality of this Unconscious. The opposing factors to the unifying power of this reality lie in the concentric circles of relationships: the family, tribe, gens, clan, etc. serve their purposes in enabling the accomplishments of group work. However, when several of these groups compete over territory, or hunting rights, or wealth in any of its forms, group aggression arises to establish the separating factors in the mind and emotions of the members of these groups. From this aggression comes our present condition of the nuclear arms race, resource exploitation and environmental pollution, and the endemic ansst of a house divided against itself.

Occasionally in history there occurs an individual who fits so well into the essence of the Racial Unconscious that he or she becomes Myth Incarnate; the life of such an individual serves to unify, in limited circumstances, otherwise separate and alienated individuals and groups. Buddha, Krishna, Christ, Mohammed, Atilla, Alexander, Hitler, Napoleon, Mao: all fulfilled certain of the mythic requirements, and all served to unite, in varying degrees, significant portions of the species in large geographical and historical dimensions. There have also been other individuals who have chosen anonymity in working with the species' dream-dimension; they are not born to enact a mythic role in public life, but instead they directly shape and manipulate the "non-material material" in which the Racial Unconscious functions.

Some of these individuals adopt a public mask when the nature of their instrumentality demands; we know them as artists, musicians, dancers, architects, writers, philosophers, scientists and saints. Those who operate privately are known vaguely as shamans, sorcerer, witches, medicine-men and magickians.

The Racial Unconscious may be viewed as the wellspring of evolutionary force, the root of such survival factors as fight-or-flight, sexual desire, parental instinct and the social contract. These have served us well thus far, but are inadequate to deal with the potential and the threat of our technology. It is time, now, for the Racial Unconscious to be transformed into Racial Consciousness, for that which sleeps within the species to awaken and employ the fruits of the species' experience: knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

Any individual human has the ability and the power available to significantly assist in this awakening. The process for gaining access to this ability, though, presents educational situations of such intensity that many fail to complete the process. This isn't to say that the obstacles are insurmountable; rather, ordinary courage fails in situations that can only be dealt with via the conviction that endurance is necessary for survival.

It might be noted here that the same process of education necessary for enabling one to participate in the racial awakening/mutation also is vital to individual survival. The human race, obviously, is composed of its individual members; and there is some doubt that the hypothetical Last Man on Earth, deprived of his racial context, could be considered fully human. In haman terms, the One and the Ail are mutually interdependent. What, then, is the nature of this survival-education?

Traditionally, it's termed Initiation. It's the leading-in of oneself to the truth encoded in the DNA molecule, which is the pattern of consciousness native to the universe in which we exist. We already possess all that is necessary for us to fulfill our ultimate potential, individually and racially; it but remains to perceive it and employ it masterfully. In every culture, in every age, there have appeared those who have taught effective Initiation methods, from the Zen Masters to Yaqui Indian sorcerers. Any "way" that works is valid; it's a matter of individual tailoring. For those who mistrust the formal ways (many of which have been encrusted with superstitions by generations of interpretors), it were well to bear in mind that the actual teacher lives within the self.

Our present world situation demands that the type of methods used for Initiation be much more inclusive than those which sufficed in the past. True, if the global nuclear holocaust occurs, then there will be scant chance of any survival whatsoever. But the possibilities range from total anihilation to economic dislocation, and the determined individual must be ready to deal with any eventuality. This means that practicality and spiritual achievement must be pursued simultaneously.

For the practical aspects, one should develop physical fitness, fighting skills, competence with weaponry and woodlore. If possible, land should be acquired for gardening and other food sources, preferably in a remote and hidden location. Joining forces with other concerned individuals is wise, for group effort can accomplish more on the physical plane than working alone. One should have a refuge destination planned should civil or natural disaster strike. Sufficient thought on the matter can fill in the details pertinent to the individual situation.

The inner process begins with death. Consider that all that is known is false, including one's present state of self-knowledge. Regard all information relayed by the senses to be misinterpreted and untrustworthy. Everything included in the category of common knowledge and unthinking acceptance should be subjected to closest scrutiny. Follow the processes of thought forward to their ultimate conclusions, and trace them back to their original premises. Seek to locate the center of consciousness, discarding all that tests out to be not-self. The practices of meditation and Hatha Yoga are helpful.

In short, when one pursues oneself, and everything connected with one, to the ultimate end or the ultimate source, all assumptions about existence are anihilated. When Mind exhausts itself in the pursuit of that which is beyondits sphere, and all faculties are rendered naught, then one can begin the true birth of one's point of consciousness and all the phenomena with which it is clothed.

During the course of this pursuit, life's events and circumstances will cunningly shape themselves to assist one. Crisis will pile upon crisis; "luck" will turn unbelievably bad, straining to the uttermost all of one's resources. Every time it's thought that there's nothing left to go wrong, disaster will strike again. This phenomenon is known as Initiation Ordeal.

There have been far too many words written about the entire process of Initiation for them to be repeated here. Those who are determined to survive will have no problem in finding and acquiring the classic works of the various Masters. The point is, there occurs a state of awareness, during the pursuit of self-knowledge, when the familiar perceptions are known to be illusory, but accepted as part of the game in which we've all agreed to participate. In this loving acceptance of the illusory Universe lies the mastery of changing it.

Those who appear to be strangers, competitors and enemies are known to be variegated aspects of our essential Self. The Moon-illumined realm of the Racial Unconscious, seat of all former survival-factors, is seen to be a reflection of a reflection. The Moon of the inner human nature is itself a reflecting body, illumined in turn by a self-radiant Sun. We turn about to see this Sun, and behold only a space full of stars--and realize that we are the Sun that doubly reflects into our own dream-kingdom.

What then of competition, aggression, or any of the factors that have bent technology into a suicide-weapon? These are seen to be broken and scattered bits of mirror that reflect the strength of our solar radiance in distorted and fragmentary ways. As Sun, we control and change the nature of light reflected in the Moon-realm of the Unconscious; this, in turn, changes the manner in which our radiance takes substance in the physical kingdom beneath the Moon.

We work miracles, then. Not such crude miracles such as rendering impotent all the nuclear armories of the planet, nor of precipitating out and disposing of all the pollutants that choke our environment, nor even that of directly feeding all the world's starving children. Rather, we arise in the dawn of our solar consciousness, and touch the sleeping souls of Man; as the sleepers wake, they too become aware of their solar nature, and add to the light and strength of radiant Racial Consciousness.

The Moon-realm of our drives, instincts and emotions abdicates its rulership of our Earth-existence in favor of the true sovereignty of the Sun. As Solar Man, united in Racial Consciousness, we radiate the true and undistorted frequency-patterns of our genetic code. As individual men and women, we pursue the careers for which we've chosen to be born into flesh, living upon and caring for our mother planet wisely and lovingly. We use our brains and hands, muscles and words, our computers and machines--but in a harmony and a balance that destroys no Hiroshima, nor permits a child to starve.

A dream? No, we're presently living in a dream, or rather, a nightmare. The moon-shadows of separation, alienation, despair, and greed have the power to kill us in our sleep. We're thrashing about in the tangled sheets and screaming while the house is burning around us.

A prophecy reads "...the Eighties cower before me, and are abased." A portentious planetary conjunction is due in 1993. Anyone vaguely aware of the world news can sense a rising tide of Chaos and destruction, as the old "unities" of nations and ideologies disintegrate. Survival is not the concern of some vague future--it's a matter of immediate urgency, here and now.

The religiously-inclined would recommend prayers and petitions to an externalized Deity; the philosophically-inclined would urge acceptance of an immutable fate. The Kingdom of Heaven is indeed within, and, as manifestations of this Divinity, we must take emergency measures to prevent the destruction of its Kingdom. Fate is mutable, also, but we must sieze the fountainhead of Karma to control its outcome.

There is no escape from the imminent destruction, save in the individual and racial Awakening. It would be grossly immoral to accept a "Last Judgement" before the divine potential enscribed within our cells be realized fully. 

". . . For I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep-

And miles to go before I sleep."

Copyright © 1978 Nema