Check out our new “Bullies Without Balls” campaign and page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575491827429

We are conducting weekly virtual “fireside” discussions every Sunday at 1:00 pm EDT. The first series in December was entitled “The Real Jesus, the Real Moses, and the Real You” and in January it is entitled “The Real MLK and the Real You” . As we approach and observe the King holiday we will discover and discuss the real MLK—who was not only about fighting for civil rights and against racism but the “triple evils of racism, poverty, & militarism”, and we will explore our authentic identities, individually, collectively, nationally, and globally viewed through the lens of his teachings and those of other great spiritual leaders. You can attend by registering here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-real-mlk-and-the-real-you-tickets-1142346030729?aff=oddtdtcreator

Here below are links to and information about the books, sites, videos, referenced during this and past discussions:

1) Abridged PDF version of my book, “I Am Not White: One Man’s Journey from Whiteness to Oneness” is attached. (A full, free copy of the book is available directly from me or you can order it on Amazon or from Special Ideas which is a rich source of Interfaith Resources and Bahai Resources at https://special-ideas.com/, and is highly recommended)

2) I referenced Baha’i literature and resources, which are voluminous, so if you are interested in delving into the Baha’i Faith let me know and I will make some simple suggestions for introductory literature (which can also be ordered from Special Ideas, or, if you are in a different country, I will provide a contact in your country for the literature). There are also an ample number of good introductory videos on YouTube.

3) Movie on YouTube: “The Gate: Dawn of the Baha’i Faith”  , a good introductory film of the founding of the world’s newest and second most widespread religion : https://youtu.be/GPKEkSXhtgw?si=jJnsyBHjWxEAm-gw

4) On YouTube: Though I failed to mention it in our last meeting, any video from Neville Goddard on his reflections on authentic Christianity and Christ, and especially the spiritual aspects of religion, is worthwhile viewing. Here is one entitled “Focus On Yourself Everyday”

5) On the ” real MLK” (as my nearly perfect example of a true Christian and spiritual leader putting those principles into service to the community, I often think when confronted with any issue, “what would MLK do?”), “Beloved Community”, “Triple Evils”, “Principles of Non-Violence” read https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/ ,   and watch any and all of his speeches on YouTube–here is one on peace and ending militarism worth watching many times: “Why I Oppose the War:  https://youtu.be/A8UU-AyB2sw?si=DyUQ_IOxTXTeRjeO

6) On the world’s awakening (or “awokening”) relating to a growing new global economic order free of the manipulation and bullying of America and Europe, BRICS, and the opportunity for world peace and an effective United Nations (also without the bullying of America who vetoes every progressive and peace resolution, and wantonly breaks every international law), watch any Prof. Jeffrey Sachs videos. Here are two as starters:  ” Building BRICS Around the West”   https://www.youtube.com/live/qduLR489dCY?si=5o8fmP7ngjKAbXCG “Speaking at Cambridge University about, World History & War and Peace Globally “https://youtu.be/0Bl6_MAhg_4?si=dXYOF0RvEqGQQ_tK

6)  The Khaboris Manuscript  https://www.amazon.com/Khaboris-Manuscript-Selected-Khabouris-Testament/dp/093390018X

This New Testament manuscript has been translated directly to English from the ancient Aramaic with particular and painstaking fidelity to the preservation of the thought patterns, images and concepts peculiar to Aramaic, the native language of Jesus of Nazareth, and the language in which He delivered His teachings to the world.

7) “The Sovereign Psyche: Systems of Chattel Freedom Vs. Self-Authentic Freedom” book by  Ezrah Aharone, Professor of Sovereign Studies at https://ezrahspeaks.com/  “The Sovereign Psyche is the motivating consciousness, intellect, and willpower that is necessary to materialize what the book defines as ‘Self-Authentic Freedom’ as opposed to ‘Chattel Freedom.’ Chattel freedom is when the value of a people is predicated upon the extent to which they serve the interests and institutions of others.”

8) A Declaration of Inter-Dependence: Seeing Eye to I by Brande Watson, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)  A recent book release by fellow Bahai friend Brande Watson, former Olympian and once declared and featured on the cover of Ebony magazine in the 60’s as one of America’s most eligible Black bachelors at the time, now age 92 and still going strong. His research and story was much of the inspiration for the Denzel Washington biopic, “The Great Debaters”, as Brande’s father, was an early Texas civil rights activist and a professor at HBCU Wiley College and colleague of Professor Tolson of Wiley Debate Team fame (featured in the movie). (Here are some other links to sources of this book: You can find Brande’s book on Barnes and Noble, Lulu, Walmart, PureHeartPublisher, Amazon, Thriftbooks and eBay

A Declaration of Inter-Dependence (Paperback) – Walmart.com

Amazon.co.jp: A Declaration of Inter-Dependence: Seeing Eye to I : Watson, Brande: Foreign Language Books

A Declaration of Inter-Dependence:… book by Brande Watson (thriftbooks.com)

A Declaration of Inter-Dependence: Seeing Eye to I by Brande Watson Paperback Bo 9781954008052 | eBay

And all of these places need reviews 

(Note: Brande just transitioned to the heavenly kingdom on Saturday and I will be doing a virtual presentation on his book–which he was going to accompany me on but will still be there in spirit—so stay tuned for that invite.)

Update on our role as “globally woke” individuals in relation to the wars in Gaza, Syria, Ukraine and elsewhere. This video is a must watch and says it all about American terroristic and war-mongering foreign policy, including in the Middle East and Ukraine, all of which drains our coffers and your pockets at home : https://youtu.be/KyNG7rKsU5I?si=KiJImJx4lSpsrXM3

Update on our role as “globally woke” individuals in the wake of the recent historic election in the U.S. and the continued U.S. instigated and supported wars around the world:

“It was indeed a sad day that the U.S. and American people are still so backwards relative to the rest of the world that they still failed to elect a woman President and instead elected a male with the most deplorable personal character as well as a hate-filled platform. This is just one more example of how America is exposed as really one of the least civilized and most barbaric countries posing as an advanced or exceptional one–really a farce of immense magnitude, especially since it attempts to interfere with and impose it’s way of life on other countries when it cannot get it’s own house in order. But there is good news and that is the world is awakening to these realities and the bully that America is, and countries are uniting to create a new social and economic world order called BRICS. To learn more about this watch the video Prof. Jeffrey Sachs : Building BRICS Around the West

And to learn more about the true global reality and America’s, Russia’s and China’s role in it watch Professor Jeff Sachs’ presentation at Cambridge University

And to learn about how we in America can deal with the existing governmental realities, stay tuned for information and link to our Global Woke Institute’s video podcast on the true structure of our governmental and economic system, and it’s three tiers:

1. The “Deep State” which includes the military industrial complex, the CIA, and the elite 1% wealthy and corporations.
2. The “Fake State”, which includes the President, the Congress, and Supreme Court, which are really puppets of and act on behalf of the “Deep State”.
3. The “New State” which includes and embraces the grassroots peace, social justice, and economic reform movements within the country and globally, and the United Nations and new Brics economic alliance globally. (This what we will be focusing on helping to build, rebuild and refresh in the coming months and years.)

Global Woke Institute Statement on the Time We are Living In:  An Identity Crisis—Who Are We, Really and What is the Road to Peace?

The U.S. backed, Israeli state–committed genocide in Gaza, and the current (2024) elections in the U.S. (with a Blasian woman running against an openly racist, misogynistic, criminally convicted, old white man) have thankfully stirred up a lot of interest, questioning, introspection, and activity, especially among young people in the U.S. (somewhat reminiscent of the grand awokening in the 60’s-70’s). This is always good, especially if it leads to more awakening, or, in our vernacular, “more awokening” ,resulting in woke-inspired action and system change, leading to more “oneness.” Here below are some of our Global Woke Institute’s guiding principles for these times and for those engaged in this process. (Anything that we state as fact is backed by mounds of evidence which we are happy to provide to anyone, including those who don’t agree with or doubt these statements or principles; anything we state as beliefs are, of course, just that, however we are also happy to defend those beliefs with rational proofs. Feel free to reach out to us at globalwokeinstitute@gmail.com for any references and/or to receive periodic updates. Also, subscribe to our YouTube Global Woke Institute channel to see video shorts explaining all of the points outlined below)

1. It is virtually impossible to determine a road to collective peace and progress without first knowing our authentic personal identities, which then leads to a knowledge of our authentic collective cultural, religious, national and global identities.
2. Personal authentic identity is many-faceted however some essentials include:

a) We are spiritual beings with bodies (e.g., souls with bodies rather than bodies with  souls—an important and essential distinction).

b) We have no separate racial identities since there are no separate races and only one human race (e.g. the concept of different races was made by slavers a few hundred years ago to justify “race-based slavery”—“white and black”—for the first time in human history, and has no basis in reality–not science or religion, the two widely accepted standards of truth).

c) Any identity, whether racial, religious, cultural, national, or other, which exalts one individual or group as being superior over another is a false identity created by unscrupulous men for control and power over others. None are “exceptional” over others however all are exceptional and unique their own ways (e.g. unity in diversity).

d) ALL people born or bred in the United States have been conditioned and indoctrinated to believe that they are superior either racially, religiously, or nationally, or all of the above—each of which are false supremacies. Hence, WE ALL have, to some degree, false and inauthentic identities, which must be shed. NO race is superior, NO culture is superior,  NO religion is superior, NO nation is superior, so if you think you are better than others based on any of those measures you are deluded (suffering “delusions of grandeur”)  and do not know your authentic self or your authentic fellow human beings. This is a curse which must be reversed and can be done only by educational and spiritual means, both of which this Institute strives to provide. ( Also, to my fellow “woke” comrades, if we think we are better than anyone due to our wokefulness, or our particular methods of system change or protest, especially when we are still living in and depending on this racist and terroristic system, then we are elitist, part of the problem, and will not serve to change anything.)

• Our Collective Authentic Identities (e.g. Cultural, Religious, National, Global) then are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve when we don’t know our personal authentic identities, so let’s look at the dysfunctions and delusions of our American national identity, as an example:
• Though our founding documents and philosophy were spiritually and practically advanced (e.g. advocating democracy and  the principle of equality– “all men are created equal” and therefore should have equal opportunity to liberty, etc.), they were never practiced, and our constitution was developed and based on the false supremacies of race, religion and nationalism resulting in the genocide of indigenous peoples, the enslavement of Africans, and preserving the inalienable rights of the rich.  And that continues through our oppressive, exploitative, and often murderous and terroristic foreign policy world-wide. We would not have the standard of living we enjoy and nor would the wealthy have their inordinate wealth if the above was not true.  So, we are all complicit.
• This country was conceived in violence, was bred and raised through violence, and continues its growth through violence—all because we don’t know and realize our authentic personal identities as Americans, and hence do not realize America’s authentic identity and destiny—so it is a matter of the blind leading the blind. (For example, when we say “Black Lives Matter” here  we really mean “Black American Lives Matter” because we all buy and use products produced by Black and Brown slaves we’ve helped enslave worldwide—diamonds, chocolate, computer and cell phone components, oil, other natural resources being only a few such items. We also engage in massive waste of our natural resources which disproportionately contributes to climate change and its resulting devastation worldwide, especially in poorer lands. And we allow our government to control currencies worldwide keeping millions in poverty, while we waste trillions through our excessive materialism and consumerism. So, unless we have divested entirely and live off the grid, we are all complicit.)
• We know that our systems and institutions, at all levels,  are inherently and systemically racist, classist, and militaristic (e.g. the “triple evils” outlined by MLK of  racism, poverty, militarism) and—unless we have completely divested  and live off the grid–we derive our money, goods and sustenance from them and hence are complicit. (The only difference then between folks is if they are “woken” to these realities and are trying to change them or are in denial.)
• Our religions have been corrupted by power seeking tyrants (disguised as pastors, mullahs, rabbis, preachers, etc.) and their spiritual essence and teachings have been supplanted by a political and fanatic fundamentalism which produces division and violence rather than peace and harmony. (America is not Christian, Hamas is not Muslim, Israel is not Jewish, except by name but not by spiritual substance as revealed in their scriptures and by their prophet-founders. However, there are authentic Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, etc. groups, though few and far between, and there is a renewal of the spiritual essence of all religion in the newest world faith, Baha’i, the teachings of which revive the spiritual essence and unity of all religions and peoples (which is where this Institute gets its “oneness”  definition of “wokefulness” and other inspiration from, along with the teachings of all religions and spiritual paths.)  Any systemic change will need a spiritual foundation and guidance from true religion (just as true personal transformation must include spiritual awakening). Political and economic power without a spiritual foundation leads to more of the same destruction and violence.

The Path to a Lasting Peace….

 ….must include, as MLK put it, “a radical revolution of values”, while simultaneously realizing our authentic personal and collective identities,  coming together and creating an effective “Peace Movement” in a spirit of unity and collaboration–a unity in diversity and but not conformity wherein everyone doesn’t have to adopt the same methods but is consciously and cooperatively working towards the same outcomes (e.g. learning from the last great “peace movement” of the 60’s/70’s where we had MLK, Malcolm X, Huey Newton, Cesar Chavez, the Hippies/Chicago Seven, the anarchists,  the NOI, the musical and other artist communities, the LGTBQ,  the Democrats, etc., many with different approaches but working if not openly but behind the scenes together to end the war and bring about other progressive changes.) It is time to bring us all together in such a “peace coalition” once again to not only stop the genocide in Gaza but all of the genocides and endless wars occurring around the globe (and our Institute will be trying to organize such a gathering and coalition of peace-oriented hearts and minds).

We need not only a spiritual but a practical approach considering one of the basic principles of science and reality—“relativity.” There are relative degrees of everything, including “good and evil”, such as a “greater good” and a “lesser evil”, and any practical approach to peace has to take into account that reality. For example, in this presidential election there are only two real choices (as we have a limited two-party system, which needs to be changed—but that is the current reality.) Anyone who wants peace and wants the least people hurt in that process knows that there is really only one choice. But beyond that, one of our Institute’s guiding principles is “the equality of men and women” and we believe that until women are afforded that equality, especially in roles of governmental and other leadership, then peace will never occur. So, we have a great opportunity to take a significant step in that direction, knowing full well that our woman-to-be president will have to operate within a corrupt, male-led system—but again, relativity, as she is the way better choice over the alternative. Plus, she gives hope to millions who otherwise would not have hope, and even though we may know that it is at least partly a false hope, we, our peace movement, can build on that hope and recruit at least some of the new hopeful into our movement for real, systemic change.

THE NEED FOR A NEW EDUCATION

As we’ve engaged in dialogue with Americans on these subjects we realized that most Americans need a completely new education on the realities of their country and the world, since they have been indoctrinated and brainwashed for so long regarding false American and racial and religious superiorities and identities. So here below are some resources listed which should form the basic curriculum for such a re-education and aid in finding one’s authentic identity:

WOKE INSTITUTE CURRICULUM

• “Sovereign Psyche” book by Aharone
• “How to Be AntiRacist” book by Kendi
• “Black Flags & Windmills” book by Crow
• “Free State of Jones” (movie)
• “Judas & the Black Messiah”(movie)
• “Malcolm” (movie)
• “Where To Invade Next” (movie)
• “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Final Book By MLK
• “The Triple Evils of Society” Speech By MLK/movie https://youtu.be/6sT9Hjh0cHM
• “The King Philosophy” https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/
• “Harriet” (movie)
• “White Fragility” book by Diangelo
• “White Rage” book by Anderson
• “Rogue State” and “Killing Hope” books by Blum
• “The Four Agreements” book and movies by Ruiz
• “Foundations of World Unity” Bahai Book
• “The Secret” book and movie on YouTube
• “The Seven Valleys and Four Valleys” Bahai book

Important Urgent Message relating to the war in the Middle East and to the massive nationwide college campus protests against the war and calling for a cease fire and freedom talks for the Palestinians : Any American who doesn’t think “this is our fight” is totally unaware of America’s role in this genocide (yes, that means your and my role) and in genocide around the world, now, and historically. And , if you wonder why we don’t have adequate healthcare, housing, higher education for all, and why millions here are hungry and homeless, or struggling to merely survive financially, it is directly tied to our support of these genocidal wars and our militarism around the world (one of the “triple evils” of MLK, all interrelated: Racism, Poverty and MILITARISM). But don’t take our word for it: if you really want to learn and investigate for yourself we will recommend many research , fact based books on this site. However, if you want to remain an ignorant American do so at your own peril and backwardness.

What does it mean to be “Globally Woke” in relation to the war in Israel? Who is to blame for this violence—Hamas, Israel, Muslims, Jews, Palestinians, Israelites? No–the answer is us, those who claim to be “woke” or aware—especially Americans, because the cause of this violence is the U.S. and its allies, both historically (when the British gave the lands –which they never had to give– occupied by the Palestinians to the Jews to establish their homeland of Israel), and present day when the U.S. (and its allies) use Israel as its de-facto military base in the Middle East to protect its “interests” –which are basically oil and money. The U.S. and its allies use the Israeli people, both Jews and Palestinians, as fodder for its greed and empire building, and, in doing so, allows a terroristic and corrupt regime, the Israeli government (especially under its current right wing, fascist leadership) supported by billions of U.S dollars, to enforce a brutal system of apartheid upon the Palestinians residing there, which can only lead to violence and endless war (which fuels the U.S. military industrial complex and provides unlimited profits for its profiteers). This is the true story and it is how America tries to maintain its dominance in the world–really one of the most evil empires in history–by setting up peoples against peoples, everywhere we go, and leaving death and destruction in our intervention and meddling wake while the corporate profiteers make off with billions like bandits. That sums up American foreign policy (under both political parties) and the evil of American militarism as strong arm gangsters for American corporations, in a nutshell–and you can see it playing out plainly in Israel right now. Imagine, we have the power (that is, the power of the dollar) to influence Israel to stop both the siege and bombing of innocent civilians and children in Gaza, and effect a cease fire,and not only will we not use that influence but we also veto the UN resolution for a cease fire. How transparently barbaric and terroristic is that? And we dare to call other groups and countries terrorists when in the last two decades we have murdered hundreds of thousands in that region, including thousands of children, calling them “collateral damage” of our corrupt conquests for power and dominance. What are the answers and what are we who are truly “globally woke” to do to counter this terror and also to protect ourselves from the coming Karma based retribution against the U.S. and its allies? Stay tuned–and prepare yourselves by subscribing to our website http://www.HowWokeAmI.org and pages, by reading the books we recommend, and by participating in the online courses and podcasts coming soon.

Important Update in light of the Continued Protests:

AN OPEN LETTER AND CALL TO ACTION TO ALL OF THE HUMANITARIAN HEROES & THEIR SUPPORTERS PROTESTING THE GENOCIDE IN PALESTINE AND CALLING FOR A PERMANENT CEASE FIRE & RESOLUTION OF THE LONG-STANDING INJUSTICES THERE:

You are humanitarian heroes because you’ve not only realized the lies being told by Israel, the U.S. and their allies relating to this conflict and the conflict which has been going on there for decades but you’ve also sacrificed your comfort and are risking your well-being to expose and confront those lies and liars by engaging in largely peaceful protest and disruption, following in the footsteps of all great visionary leaders and their fearless followers. This is not only heroism but is among the highest levels of spiritual service and sacrifice. Bravo!

While I stand in support of you in every way possible (including literally joining and standing with you at times), I want to see you succeed, individually and collectively, in building a sustainable movement rather than just another moment, which is why I’ve penned this both frank and loving letter (as one who has lived through and participated in three of these revolutionary and enlightening uprisings during the past fifty years, which definitely brought about some positive reforms but did not produce necessary and substantive system and systemic change).

So, starting with the frank realities I’ve witnessed and learned, throughout this history and continuing today:

FACT:  The U.S., Israel, and their allies’ identities are built on a foundation of lies and are fed and sustained by those lies upon which their corrupt systems are so dependent that they will do whatever is necessary to protect those lies and those systems. And that includes genocide, assassination, mass arrests and incarceration, and all other manners of evil and violence. (Their propaganda and brainwashing are more sophisticated and more sublime than that of China, Russia, N. Korea and all other authoritarian regimes combined.) This present genocide in Gaza, though evil and tragic, is just another symptom, though a glaring one, of this sick and evil system’s consideration of all its human carnage, including innocent children, as “collateral damage” in its quest and greed for power and control (which has produced and is producing genocide in Africa, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and Vietnam in the past, plus the genocide of the Native Americans at the very inception of this country, and the mass murder and terror of the transatlantic slave trade and American slavery). Nothing has changed—the justifications are the same, bolstered by false religion, pseudo-science, false patriotism, and false superiority complexes. (And most Americans are brainwashed and buy into one or more of these false justifications, as do both political parties.)

FACT:  The U.S. and its allies are expert at putting down and subverting any and all revolutionary movements which attempt to expose the lies and dismantle or significantly change these corrupt systems. They have and routinely use all the advanced weapons, surveillance tools, technology and psychological techniques to assassinate, incarcerate, indoctrinate and infiltrate, to undermine, divide and conquer all such movements—which they have done successfully in my lifetime since the 70’s. There is only one tool and power which they do not possess, which is greater than all their powers and tools of division and destruction combined. 

(Now, comes the “loving” part of my “frank and loving” message.)

FACT:   The power they do not possess is spiritual power—that power which produces in the individuals their authentic identities and the qualities of  wisdom, love, strength, faith, imagination, order, oneness, understanding, will, zeal, all derived from a profound connection to something greater than oneself, whether it be a higher power, the universe, nature, or a transcendent realm. Collectively, spiritual power produces unity and oneness, practically manifested in intentional “beloved” communities (as envisioned by MLK and all the visionary prophets), and spiritually empowered individuals and communities can transform systems, from the bottom and grassroots up. The good news is that there are already good examples of these intentional “beloved” communities which we can learn from as we attempt to build our own. 

So, while this appeal is not meant to discourage you from your protests and attempts to expose the lies and stop the carnage, or to discourage those who are sincerely working to help their fellow human beings by trying to fix or patch the present system (which, all of the above,  I do), including those working to provide mutual aid to those in need (e.g. food, housing, etc.) , those are all band-aids and temporary fixes, while this is an appeal to spend at least an equal amount of time building a new system of intentional “beloved” communities based upon spiritual values and power, because, based on the results of decades of sincere attempts and sacrifices and moments/movements, no amount of voting, policy changes or protest will accomplish the systemic changes necessary to transform this crumbling and internally rotten system into one of humane and spiritual values.

If you’d like to join our intentional “beloved” community movement, or just want to find out more, feel free to write, text or call us at laboroflovecampaign@gmail.com  or 404-573-1199, with any questions, comments, or just say “I’m in.” and we will invite you to our next virtual meeting to learn more.

Here is our video/podcast message relating to the above: https://youtu.be/snaFHJOGL1w and subscribe to our Global Woke Institute channel at www.youtube.com/@GlobalWokeInstitute

GLOBAL WOKE INSTITUTE

WOKEFULNESS = ONENESS

“The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”

“Let your vision be world-embracing.”–Bahai

“Until the lion learns how to write every story will glorify the hunter”.(African Proverb)–