Both evolution and revolution are hot topics these days.
One for its place in the education world. The other for its place in the political world.
What many people don’t seem to realize is how similar the concepts of evolution and revolution as we know them in the external world are to how they apply to the internal world.
Evolution is a slow process. It’s not always the most efficient thing, but it is effective in creating long-term changes that work and stick around. Even better, most of the work and time put in to evolution pays off in the long run in one way or another–in the biological world, nature just kind of recycles its failed experiments, letting them decompose back into their base bits, to support what comes after.
Revolution may get off to a slow start, but by the time anyone knows enough to call it what it is, things are moving quickly and violently. There are no peaceful revolutions. Revolution is always accompanied by violence and destruction. Changes are made, but rarely are the right ones right away. Even more rarely do they stick around for long periods of time (especially when you compare them to evolved changes). Revolution burns a lot of energy and leaves a kind of scorched earth behind. The thing that most often followed a revolution, is some sort of retaliation.
As an initiate on a metaphysical path, I have experienced both revolutionary and evolutionary change. Without question, I prefer the latter. I wish I could say that the former isn’t necessary because it can be such an unpleasant thing.
Unfortunately, as anyone who walks a spiritual path honestly will tell you, pain is part of the process.
One of my favorite quotes is from Victor Frankl: “That which is to give light must first endure burning.”
While that may not always hold true in modern science, the metaphysically focused alchemist knows that there must be some sort of combustion to create change. And if there’s one things revolution brings with it, is combustion.
We must always remember, though, that while the change brought on by revolution may be invigorating, affirming, cathartic and obvious, they are just as prone to being fleeting as a political revolution. It is easy to get caught up in the pretense of apparent change. It is easy to not notice all the problems that have been caused by a quick and violent change. And, perhaps worst of all, it is easy to find a false sense of accomplishment and safety as the smoke begins to blow away on the wind.
Evolution is a slow, deep, sustainable burning–a life-affirming warmth of growth. It is not flashy. It often feels uncertain. And, without a doubt, sometimes it feels like nothing at all is happening.
But it is happening.
The two methods can work very well together. Once we reach a certain point in our personal evolution, we may need to revolt in order to break the ties to our old patterns–to remove those things holding us back. If we haven’t forced the revolution, it will compliment the evolution and lay clear the changes we have undergone.
Changes that will stay and serve as the foundation for the next round of growth.
Too many people get caught up in the vividness and flash of revolution and use all their energy trying to force the next big breakthrough. Many times, they do themselves (and sometimes those around them) more harm than good.
As with all things metaphysical, it is nearly impossible to tell which stage you’re at when you’re there. It’s always a guessing game–a bit of trial and error, at the least–until after that volatile moment has passed.
But whether you’re crawling out of the primordial soup onto dry land for the first time or waving a triumphant flag after storming your own personal Bastille, change is happening.
It is the duty of the initiate to pay attention to the reality of that change–to the burning–and not be blinded by the light it generates.
Leave a Reply