Seth Godin, renowned internet marketing guru, often writes short posts. This week he came out swinging with the post The Forever Recession (and coming Revolution). He says the recession is here to stay, unless we wake up and understand the job market is forever changed because we’re entering a new industrial revolution, which will be marked by connections between and among people (on the internet).
Jeremy Rifkin, author of the Third Industrial Revolution, was more specific on the Diane Rehm show this week. The previous two industrial revolutions, he said, were based on new energy revolutions converging with communication revolutions. The first industrial revolution occurred in the 19th century when print technology became inexpensive, and public schools opened and a mass workforce was established. The second revolution occurred in the 20th century when the telephone, radio, and TV organized complex systems for auto oil and the suburban age, sending us into complete dependence on fossil fuels. Both revolutions forever changed the way people live.
Rifkin says the third industrial revolution is occurring now and it is being driven by internet technology (communication revolution) and renewable energy (new energy revolution). These specific energy and communication systems are based on distributive and collaborative models. Thus they are well suited for each other, making this an especially powerful industrial revolution. The European nations are carrying out Rifkin’s five-pillar strategy now, with impressive results, especially in Germany.
Whether we agree with Godin and Rifkin or not, we’re all acutely aware that the world is shifting dramatically and very fast at this moment. Some people are frightened as they struggle to respond to the pressures of change.
In 2000, I had to close my business due to health. Overnight, I had to cut our family expenses by seventy percent–and we weren’t living lavishly. Initially I was absolutely terrified. Through my mantra meditation and heart sessions I was able to pacify the fear, let go of my desire to control, and move forward with a new life. In hindsight, I can see that the gut-wrenching change was positive.
I have to say, as scary as they are, I like revolutions (though, admittedly, maybe not right in the middle of them). We are improved by internal personal revolutions, community ones, national ones, and global ones. Revolutions occur because an old way isn’t working and a lifetime of growth wants to be borne.
What if you or your family are deeply hurting from our economic crisis? Maybe you’ve been spared from a direct hit and are facing a different crisis? Perhaps the Third Industrial Revolution will seek you out down the road.
Come from Your Heart
The good news is, in addition to the economic/social revolution underway, there’s a spiritual revolution happening at this moment, and you can take advantage of the benefits of this “new energy revolution” (to use Rifkin’s term).
Recently I wrote about the Bhakti (heart yoga) explosion in the yoga community at the Elephant Journal. There’s a strong trend toward bringing heart-based systems into yoga and the broader spiritual marketplace.
The Heart Message Is Intersecting in Marketing and Economic Sectors
What’s really interesting is how the current focus on our hearts is finding its way into marketing and pop culture. Have a look at Katie Freiling, who advertises she made $575,000 last year. She specializes in working with “heart-centered” (her words) entrepreneurs.
I’ve spent the past eight months studying the internet marketing industry and the ways of the blogosphere—the place Godin and Rifkin say is the key factor in the new industrial revolution. Every blogging authority counsels that communicating transparently and from the heart is the only way to have an effective presence on the net. Katie Freiling is not unique in openly talking about “going to the heart,” “being heart-centered,” “speaking from the heart,” or “finding heart.” In fact, she’s part of the crowd.
Another example. When’s the last time you heard the term “unconditional love” in the title of a New York Times bestseller? The NY Times bestseller Love for No Reason: 7 Steps to Creating a Life of Unconditional Love by Marci Shimoff was published in December of 2010. Unconditional love, the foundation of genuine heart teachings, has garnered little interest until recently.
If these occurrences indicate a change in common views, expect everyone, you included, to be benefited.
In the series Liberation by Self-Care, I discuss that this “heart trend” is a response to the lack of lasting satisfaction from wildly popular—and helpful—mental control techniques like meditation, positive affirmations, living in the present moment, and stopping negative thought patterns.
What happens when major spiritual shifts intersect significant marketing, economic, and social ones?
Well, millions of lives change. If the spiritual shift doesn’t happen, then millions of lives change, hopefully for the better. If the spiritual shift takes place, then millions of lives change, definitely for the better.
Why not make sure you fall in the latter?
I’m very excited to be alive at this juncture in history. Especially if meaningful (as opposed to pop cultural) information and dialogue is available to guide the spiritual “new energy revolution” into deep heart, not superficial heart.
What’s your take on the current world situation? What would help you move through the drastic changes unfolding?
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