21st December 2012: End of the World/Age

First off, and as far as I have come to understand, the Mayan calendar that people have been talking about comes to the end of its long count, which when converted to the Gregorian calendar started on August 11, 3114 BCE and will end on the 21st December 2012 CE.  However, when it comes to an end, just like when our 12 month Gregorian calendar comes to an end, the next cycle will start again, the next long count will get underway right on cue!  So at least time doesn’t end then and quite possibly not the world either.

When people speak about the end of the world what I think they are really talking about is the end of life as we currently know it or the end of the human race.  Ultimately they are speaking about their existential angst concerning the end of their own existence, the death of all the ego holds to be the 'I', which will happen one day, ancient prophecy or not.  I am sure there isn't much on this planet or indeed out there (not including a gigantic meteorite, rogue planet, the sun engulfing earth in 7.6 billion years or the Borg invading when Captain Jean Luc Picard is on leave) that would completely destroy the planet, us quite possibly, but the planet I don’t think so.  Whatever might happen it would recover from in a hundred, thousand or a few million years and with no one counting who is there to care how long it takes?  So all this save the planet stuff is more to do with saving ourselves, the planet will be just fine without us, better even.

 George Carlin explaining why it's us and not the planet that needs 'saving'!

So what is all the fuss about?  According to other interpretations the date of the 21^st December 2012 will be the day when the ‘planets align’ and the electromagnetic poles will flip causing all sorts of things to occur from massive natural disasters, electrical and telecommunication systems failure, the opening of a Star Gate to another dimension, global contact with extra-terrestrials, a leap in the evolution of human consciousness.

There is a lot of talk about the 21st December 2012 being the end of the Age and the dawn of a New Era for humanity where selfishness will decline, selflessness will increase and consciousness will raise.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could all kick back and let the turning of the heavens do all the work for us, like we are about to enter one big cosmic washing machine?!  Well, personally, I think everyday we have a chance and a responsibility to work towards those things if we so choose, in what ever way we can, irrespective of the time or the date or the Age. I believe when we take that responsibility upon ourselves and stop looking for something outside to fix the situation then perhaps selfishness will decline, selflessness will increase and consciousness will raise. Although, I think that it is useful to be aware of how external influences can inhibit or enhance that process while we are still influenced by them, as Dr. Berzine explains when talking about the Kalachakra Tantra of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition for example:

''The reason for knowing the calendar and position of the planets is for making astrological calculations to choose the best time to engage in battle against the barbaric hordes. On a deeper level, this means that if we are going to fight against our disturbing emotions and attitudes, we need to know and understand the astrological cycles that affect our minds and energies. With this knowledge, we can launch our meditation attacks when the circumstances of karma, astrology, and energy are most favourable. Although we work to eliminate being under the control of astrological forces, still, before we have rid ourselves of their influence, we need to practice within the context of our astrological charts and our karma.''

 http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/advanced/kalachakra/external_internal_alternative_kalachakras/external_internal_kalachakra_tantra.html?query=kalachakra

Kalachakra Mandala

Nevertheless, I believe we must be careful not to give these external influences too much power, undermining our very own will to act, because I believe that it is only through our own actions and our own efforts that we will reap individual and collective results in the end.  So, I say let's stop looking out there for the cause and/or solution to our problems and instead look inwards to see what part we play in those causes and hence what part we can choose to play in the solutions.

With Love and best wishes for the 21st December 2012 and long into the next Mayan Baktun!

Mayan Calendar