Is the Revolution Internal or External?

Bringing together the inner and outer aspects of transformation may be the revolution of our times

By Kavita Byrd

These days we often hear that if we are to change our world to a loving, just and sustainable one, all we need is to change consciousness. At first glance, this seems to imply that action is not necessary, or important. But conscious action flows from an inspired consciousness. They are not separate, but actually call forth each other.

As we start to recognize that spirit and matter are one, we also realize that the level of our own consciousness is reflected and embodied in our actions, our relationships and the material systems we live by. We are presently living in systems and structures that do not represent an enlightened consciousness – in fact, they often represent just the opposite: a consciousness of division, competition, violence and fear. By default, we are forced to comply with them outwardly, even if inwardly they chafe against the yearnings of our soul. As our consciousness evolves we are compelled to heal these splits – the ways in which our spirit and our material life are incongruent.

As we come into an awareness of the interconnection and unity of all life, we are called into action to change the outer structures and systems by which we live.

Awakening to change

As a student in the seventies, like many of my generation I wanted to change the world. At a certain point, frustrated with the seemingly intractable obstacles to changing entrenched power structures, I came to the conclusion that nothing would change unless we changed our own consciousness at an inner level. I then embarked on a long journey which took me to India and for many years practiced yoga and meditation in spiritual communities. I even became a swami in an ashram myself.

After 25 years “on the cushion” I had a second awakening, as electrifying as the first. I suddenly woke up to the reality that not only had all those years of “consciousness transformation” not succeeded in transforming the planet, but that in fact we were on the verge of potentially cataclysmic climate change, ecological and economic collapse. I realized that inner work can’t substitute for outer work, but that the two have to go together.

My first awakening was to the truth of interconnection and Oneness; my second to the crucial importance of applying it in the world. The first was a blissful awakening; the second a rude one – but ultimately blissful too, because it embraced reality in its true fullness, which empowers the transformation from darkness into light.

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