Since my recent visit to Italy, I have been thinking about the trap of hedonism. From a yogic perspective, hedonism is a concentration of energy in the sacral and solar plexus chakras, or areas of the body. Here is where individual lust, when it is allowed to, takes over the bloom of ever-lasting life. The mind-body forgets that life is not individual, but a collective and infinite rebirthing.
I keep thinking about Vesuvius covering civilizations at their peak of hedonism in layers of ashes and dirt. Over and over again. We unearth the remains. Stare at the walls still painted in lust, and forget.
We forget that we are still here. Captured in our lust. We are not doomed to repeat history, we simply choose to do so.
Today, Naples sits piled in apartments filled with crowded life whose waste litters the streets. Plastic discarded after a single use blows amongst piles of dog poop and cigarette butts. In the cracks of pavement, green life stretches to find air and water before it is snuffed out by passersby who are thinking of yesterdays and tomorrows filled with want.
Three hours away by car, Rome’s streets pave over more lost civilizations. What is left reminds us of the individual ego’s striving for power. Huge monuments raised to its mighty hand stand erect, guarded by machine guns slung over shoulders. Reminders of wars waged, battles for life lost and “won,” and the many, many spoils of victory.
A vast city inside a city houses the spoils of wealth stolen in the name of God.
Gold halls lined with painted angels watch over a vast fortune robbed from distant and not so distant lands. Lesser gods trapped in a fortress that has room for only one ruler. Yet, we walk the halls in awe. We cannot help it. The splendor overwhelms and consumes us.
Below, the echo of the goddess can only be heard when the feet are still and the many voices clamoring to be heard, mute. The want for air is nearly unbearable. Yet we hold onto our crowds, striving, always striving, to get ahead.
I keep thinking we are one fiery breath away from annihilation. Again. We have thinned the air with our crowds and choked it with the pollution of our breath. We have chosen to guard the pillars of our mighty past and erect more as we overlook the goddess who sustains us.
Instead of honoring the Mother who brings forth new life, feeds, and provides for all our many wants, we trample her to near death in our quest to strive ever higher in dominion.
It is difficult not to be cynical in this world so focused on the outer it has largely forgotten what sustains it. A world that fears so much what unites it, it would rather destroy itself, over and over again, for want of division. For want of lust to feed the false self. A temporary pleasure of the body that has forgotten the soul housed in light who choose not to see.
And so I find myself sitting in my comfortable home in America, looking around at all that I have and all that I am in danger of losing. I find myself thinking about my individual choices and if they serve only me, or something greater than my individual self. I live in a town that has recently decided that recycling is not worth the monetary expense, and has chosen to override the planetary expense of not doing so. I live in a nation ruled by a man whose lust for power strives to over-ride all that is of the common good. It is easy to be consumed by the ugliness and despair of what feels like an impending doom. I would not blame our Mother if she decided it was time, again, to swallow us up.
But, there is little good to come of wallowing in despair, and much to be gained when one reaches beyond the darkness to grow the light. There is an empowerment of the inner that can be awakened when one looks beyond the myopic lens of the individual wants and sees that choices can be made to grow this light that we all share and that feeds all life.
I know that the old ways are not enough. That for me living in my small town in New Hampshire, it is not enough to simply rinse cans and separate paper and food waste anymore. That I must search for ways that are more sustainable, such as growing vegetables and joining a local CSA. I know that I can move beyond not just buying nontoxic and organic products, to making more of my own as I search for those that I must buy in biodegradable and reduced packaging. And, I know that I can search for more innovative ways to reduce and reuse and share ideas that I find with others. There is that realization that “more” can always be done to nurture the good of all, and not just the one. And, that in doing so, one can find not only hope, but joy.
The Light Behind the Story 
Well said, Alethea. It echoes what so many feel. I live in Spain and still separate plastic, paper, etc., refuse plastic bags and rarely waste food. It seems so little, for there is much which needs attention. I sign petitions where I can. The ‘big boys’ are greedy and never do enough.A pathetic state of affairs affairs. x .
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It has fallen upon the individual to make a difference, sadly, in many places of the world. Until the bigger corporations and governments decide to make sustainable changes, we have to do whatever we can. It certainly can be a challenge, can’t it? Especially with plastic waste which is so pervasive and very rarely recycled. Glad to hear, though, that you are doing your part. ❤
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In the end, no matter what the Big Boys do or do not do, the choices we make are always our own. Very well said, Alethea. xx
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Thank you, Sue. The arrogant ego-centrism seems to be mirrored everywhere these days. Ava’s got a very Trumpish lacrosse coach this season. A woman, but very much the archetype. Not easy to be present in the pervasive energy and it really tests the inner strength. ❤
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But the purpose we serve always gives strength 😉 xx
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It’s taking a lot of inner strength at the moment 😉
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I can imagine 😉
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Your account of Italy is both insightful and chilling. Like you I have been feeling some despair over the outward focus of most people. Lately it seems worse than ever. I like your simple solutions and have been going the same way myself. I planted some vegie seedlings this week and also some pretty flowers – for the bees and also to cheer myself up. I’m thinking I should start baking my bread too.
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Yes, I have been feeling some despair and discouragement around this pervasive energy. It’s impossible to escape and somehow one must confront it internally to transmute what is stirred up inside. It’s not pleasant, is it? I like the simple solution approach. I spent some time gardening yesterday, putting some annuals into pots around the house. Having one’s hands touching life that way brings a special kind of peace. ❤ Thank you.
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Hi again, I have been thinking about what you said about linking hedonism to the sacral chakra. I didn’t know that. It reminded me the sacral chakra is the seat of creativity. This leads me on a more mystic journey seeking insight into the role of the creative in these times. I think there is something here – creative expression as a healing tool. Gardening is essentially a creative and life affirming act but I think there is more than that. I’m over writing stories people either don’t read or argue with though. I’m thinking of more symbolic forms of creative expression – still vague ideas but meditating and clearing sacral energy might be the place to start. What do you think?
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I think that’s a wonderful approach. I too view a healthy sacral chakra that is strong in creative birthing and expression. An unbalanced one fed through the ego can lead to hedonism, so perhaps we could all, collectively, benefit from embracing what nurtures our inner life more. It can only help. And, I think we should not be afraid to go where it takes us, like you are doing, even if it is not a traditional form of expression. As long as it’s fed by love, it can only lead to more joy ❤
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Yes, I think so. I had anight of deep dreams that cleared a lot of psychic debris. These thoughts are my early morning ramblings. I’ll see where they take me over the next few days. This coming full moon feels like it might have some breakthrough insights!
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A breakthrough sounds lovely ❤
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Pingback: Trading the high price of hedonism for hope ~ Alethea Kehas | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo
All we can do is our best, we need to save the planet, no one else will. Great post Alethea 💜
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Reblogged this on Sun in Gemini and commented:
From Alethea…
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Thank you for sharing, Steve ❤
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My pleasure, Alethea. Great piece x
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I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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