As I write this blog, there is a highly secured, off-limits to the public, world's most secretive meeting currently being held in Telfs-Buchen, Austria. It marks the 63rd annual Bilderberg conference, and according to its barebone website was "designed to foster dialogue between Europe and North America." Although no one outside of this event (now or previously) knows what actually takes place there, participants are sworn to secrecy and the media is expressly banned from this four day conference, people speculate that global decisions are being made to move our civilization toward "a new world order," with control as a keystone marking its success — the ultimate indicator that Power Over is the default choice. Whether this is true or not is hard to determine because no one outside of the official attendee list is allowed in, with an "armed-to-kill' military presence at every turn. Attendees are typically high-ranking officials and business leaders who make key decisions from global economics, to health care, public policy and military strategy, etc. According to several mainstream media sources attempting to cover something from an outsiders perspective, some of the key topics leaked for this year's agenda are: "Cyber Security," "Chemical Weapons Threats," "Artificial Intelligence" and "Current Economic Issues," amongst a few.
It could be nothing...an innocent annual meeting...
Yet in light of the issue of Power, why do these meetings need to be held in secret, especially when the potential topics to be discussed, may directly impact our decisions and ways of being as citizens of this planet? I noticed that, on average, this event received ONLY approximately one to one and a half minutes of airtime on the few news stations that chose to announce it. This seems dismissive relative to the gravity of the issues on the table and the forceful suppression of information that may impact our future.
Coincidentally (or not), the Bilderberg meeting happens to be on the heels of another non-transparent activity that might have serious long-term consequences for everyone on the planet — the obvious and covert push to approve the secretly created TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) with Intellectual Property Rights agenda and the largest ever economic Treaty, which includes nations representing more than 40% of the World's GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The TPP is the forerunner to the equally secret US-EU pact TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) which was developed through negotiations initiated over two years ago, affecting in combination potentially 60% GNP (Gross National Product).
The kept-under-wraps consequences, of these "agreements" impacting the core of our global economy, is huge. Even as far back as Nov 2013, Wikileaks published (in one of the most controversial chapters) the potential wide-ranging effects of these two-international trade deals on medicine, publishers, internet services, civil liberties and biological patents. Since then, independent researchers and news sources have attempted to unveil more of the balanced truth behind these nearly "Classified" documents.
When Power Over is at play, seeking and speaking more of the truth helps to create an environment where people believe they can make better informed decisions instead of throwing up their arms or giving up. Interestingly, the overall summary of research concludes that "the publics everywhere would lose wealth because of them," while the few, the 1% would stand to gain more wealth — this seems really odd. During a time when people feel so oppressed by their monetary constraints, if given a chance to vote on these agreements, it would be highly unlikely for most of the population to approve such ever-constricting measures for trade, internet, civil liberties, etc.
What can we do about this on a personal level? What have we each done in the past when we've been Powered Over? And how have we Powered Over others in unhealthy ways? Is this the legacy you want to leave?
This is not about blame, but about how to create the best solutions under these circumstances. What legacy do we as an individuals, as a community, as a country and as a species want to leave?
Here are some suggestions that I have experienced as valuable and impacting:
1. Carve out a little time each day to research these issues independently, uncover where the truth intersects from the extremes and follow your guidance regarding decisions based on the best information possible (weed out the distortions as best you can, i.e. was an exchange of money or resources involved to generate inaccurate information, like years ago when the tobacco industry did not want the truth about the negative impact of smoking to be released).
2. Write or call your Representatives and share with as many people as possible after you continue to search for the truth.
3. Dialogue about these issues in a way that is less judgmental, so that the solutions are not about retaliation, but are based on a model of "no harm" and pro-active engagement that generates fair exchange of goods and services and benefits humanity and our world.
4. I continue to work on unpacking issues of Power in myself and in the world and invite you to do the same. Practice Power With and witness the impact — you may be pleasantly surprised.
I continue to believe in the collective dream of a more beautiful world in which to life, and that starts from within...but it also take courageous, wise and empowered people to gather together to help shift the landscape. It takes those from the 99%, but it also takes those from the 1%!
What happened to our original vision for this planet? None of us is born with a soul that strives to be selfish. Most of us wish to help to create a better world, one where the principle of no harm stands solid, and Power is intended to evoke the greatest human asset...the ability to love and to love unconditionally,
OR as Einstein expressed to his daughter "Love is power, because it multiplies the best we have, and allows humanity not to be extinguished in their blind selfishness...This is the variable that we have ignored for too long, maybe because we are afraid of love because it is the only energy in the universe that man has not learned to drive at will."
Why not create a different legacy! This is what we need to create and evolve a new paradigm for our planet if we wish to survive as a species, and that includes inviting those attending the Bilderberg meeting to be a part of this. We need each other's support, but in a transformative way of consciously choosing Power With and leading with ever-increasing wisdom. The wise souls that attend any of these secret meetings can make different choices, just like each and every one of us...to lead the way toward Extraordinary Leadership During Extraordinary Times.