Releasing judgment when everything is horrible is challenging, but imperative. When we look at the world with our analytical mind things can feel hopeless. The pandemic is a persistent problem with no end in sight. The economy is a wreck, and the existential threat of climate change becomes ever more difficult to ignore.

If you are identified with third density consensus reality and the collective consciousness you may be finding it difficult to remain “sane.” In our September energy forecast we said September was going to be a challenging month full of surprises, physical dislocations, and karmic reckonings. So far that forecast seems to be holding.

The western United States has been ravaged by wildfires this month that have dislocated millions, and then a few days ago Supreme Court liberal stalwart Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. For those not familiar with the United States system the U.S. Supreme Court has been responsible for many of the progressive social changes our country has experienced over the last several decades. Everything from gender equality, civil rights, separation of church and state, to gay marriage has been decided by fairly narrow liberal court majorities.

Therefore, the death of one liberal jurist puts all of those progressive social policies in jeopardy. The addition of a conservative Justice might see many of those policies rolled back over the next few years. An African American friend recently remarked that if Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death didn’t scare you then you’ve never had your humanity decided by the Supreme Court.

This has thrown fuel on the flames of the United States’ political and racial karmic reckoning and the chaotic energy of the 2020 Presidential race. I am most familiar with the American perspective, but know these energies are playing out in different ways throughout the world. How do we let go of judgment and surrender to what is when the world is on fire?

There is an old Chinese that explains this teaching better than any other I’ve found. Once upon a time, there was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years.

One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically, “you must be so sad.”

“We’ll see,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses.

“How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed!  “Not only did your horse return, but you received two more.  What great fortune you have!”

“We’ll see,” answered the farmer.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.  “Now your son cannot help you with your farming,” they said.  “What terrible luck you have!”

“We’ll see,” replied the old farmer.

The following week, military officials came to the village to conscript young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “Such great news. You must be so happy!”

The man smiled to himself and said once again.

“We’ll see.”

We do not see nearly enough of the big picture to judge the ups and downs of our individual and collective experience. Remain equanimous and optimistic that it is all working out in favor of our highest good. Maintain an attitude of “We’ll see.”

Be the sacred fool. Be foolishly optimistic. Take action in the present moment that is in alignment with your highest values and the better angels of your nature. Be the change you wish to see in the world. Be peaceful, loving and fearless. Strive for harm reduction. Support noble causes. Let go of attachment to outcome.

But stop wishing for a better past. What is done is done. It happened so it had to happen, and it is all happening for our highest good. This is just the beginning of the collective karmic reckoning. We were all born into captivity, into a civilization that is by its very nature self-terminating. That civilization is driven forward by a momentum thousands of years in the making.

The light is more fearsome than the darkness because in it nothing can hide. The darkness is just starting to be revealed at the collective level and we have a lot more to go. Nevertheless I am wildly optimistic about humanity’s future. After the storm comes the dawn. This is the demolition phase of our collective transition from one age to another. In order to build heaven on Earth the old world must first be knocked down. Maintain faith in the bigger picture and an attitude of “We’ll see.”