2012: Natural Cycles and Natural Thinking

The panic about the prophecies for the end of the world in 1999 already is gone,
and here now starts a new wave of tension regarding the year of 2012.

According to the ancient Mayan calendar, on December 23, 2012, ends a big cosmic
cycle. Some people dramatize the things and interpret this date as an end of the
world. But actually, this is just the end of one cycle and the beginning of a
new one.

In the Mayan calendar there are one type of cycles, while in the Chinese
calendar there are other cycles used (for example the 60-year cycle). There are
many methods for calculation of the cycles. Every month, every day, every minute
and second also represent different types of cycles. The universe is complex and
infinite. We always mark the beginning and passing of many cycles. We even don't
know about the existence of some of them.

When there is a lack of scientific attitude, one very easily can indulge into
mystics. In the past, when the people observed the passing of comets on the sky,
they were horrified and predicted end of the world. Always when there arrives a
new cosmic cycle or new phenomena and new changes happen, many people frighten
and worry about the future.

The solar activity increases and decreases for a period of 11 years. The
principles of the solar cycle are similar to that of the lunar cycle: the
beginning of a certain solar cycle resembles the time of new moon. At that time,
the solar activity is low. The activation of the solar storms marks the maximum
of the solar cycle and its meaning resembles the time of full moon. Both full
moon and the years of increased solar activity have a great influence on the
living creatures on Earth. The scientists have found out that during the maximum
of the solar activity, there is an increase of psychological problems, inner
tension and pathogenic outbreaks. This is due to the increased energy release
from Sun, which stimulates and activates the flow of energy in the body. As a
result, there occur various conditions of health, but everything depends on the
openness and free passability of the energy channels in the body and the quality
of matter. If one regularly
practice qigong meditation or other similar methods for increasing the energy
in the body, then one's energy system gradually will become more and more opened
and passable and of a better quality. When the body is opened and passable, one
can more easily and smoothly accept the numerous cosmic influences and one will
be able more quickly to adapt to the changes. Here is an example: when one's
blood pressure rises, if his energy channels are opened, then the blood pressure
goes down very fast and recovers its normal indexes. In the same way, when there
come solar storms and other energy effects from the cosmos, they will have a
more moderate effect on the energy-passable organisms.

The last solar storms were in 2003, and the next activation of the solar
eruption and magnetic storms are expected approximately in 2012. Some people
predict that these will be so powerful that they will lead to the pole shifts
and reversals and end of the world. The truth is that the change of poles is a
very relative term: some scientists claim that this is a slow process of
hundreds and even thousands of years, while according to other scientists this
is unpredictable phenomenon. Let's put this theme to the scientists, and we
better look more calmly and naturally at things.

In fact, 2012 is not a problem. The problem is in our mind and our understanding
of the natural cycles. We need to develop scientific and objective attitude
toward everything. The cyclical changes are natural phenomenon and we have to
look at them naturally.

When there arrives a new phenomenon, first of all it is important to find out
what are his characteristic features and then to see how best to adapt to the
changes. The adaptation includes many methods, but the main principle is to
achieve a harmony with the new changes. What is lacking have to be supplied, and
what is in excess – to be cleared out. For example, in every person the inner
condition of the body is different: some people lack vitamin B, others need more
calcium; still others need to clear the pathogenic phlegm from the body.
Astrologically, this could be explained in this way: some people have excessive
metal element, others – need more fire, still others have too much wood, etc.
All this shows different characteristics, a tendency to develop certain
diseases, cycles of advancement and fall in life, etc.

An essential benefit for achieving better adaptation to the different changes
render the practice of qigong meditation, the inner harmony and preservation of
calmness of the mind, the positive attitude, the natural and objective thinking,
healthy nutrition, the holistic approach and following the principles of Nature.

As a whole, every cycle has its own characteristic. The bigger and longer cycles
render a continued influence on the living organisms and thus they have
essential meaning for the character of one whole generation, the tendencies in
the development of humankind. According to western astrology, during these
several years there are some important changes of cycles, related with the
slowly moving planets Neptune, Uranus and Pluto. In the end of 2008 (on November
26th) Pluto enters Capricorn, where it will stay for 16 years (till 2024). This
is regarded as an important time of change, as Pluto in Capricorn will stimulate
the energy transformations in society and in people’s mind. In the year of
2011, Uranus enters Aries and this will stimulate a change of consciousness. And
in December 2012, there will come another important cyclical change: Neptune
will enter the zodiacal sign of Pisces, which is regarded as a new incitement
for spiritual development. All
this is a slow and gradual process, but not a sudden change.

In some publications regarding the year of 2012 it is written that the changes
of 2012 will happen only to some separate people, which "will enter into the new
future world", while for the others everything will remain like before and they
will perceive nothing; for them "the world will become much worse and they will
fall in a lower, inferior world". According to these articles, there is expected
a separation between the conscious and matured ones and those of a lower level
of consciousness. Such thoughts very easily lean toward disunion and egoism, and
they create a type of spiritual aristocracy and a sense of supremacy over the
others. Many people talk about spiritual development, but when they analyze
things, some people start to separate the humans into "higher" and "lower", more
spiritually developed and less developed ones. This division sometimes leads to
improper acts: defending the interests only of a separate group of people, only
of the
"higher", "developed" ones, while the remaining part of people is neglected.
They think that only they are the spiritual ones, the good ones and the others
are on a lower stage of development and there is no way to help them. Such
judgements lack a holistic thinking and holistic approach, they lack the
willingness to help the others to develop as well. It is interesting to point
out that one of the characteristics of Neptune in Pisces (the cycle, which
starts in 2012) is namely the desire for a union and spiritual development for
all.

It is important to know that the changes are equal for everyone, but not only
for separate, “God's elect” people or only for those who cultivate
themselves and the more conscious ones. The main principle is that everyone has
chances, everyone has the possibilities to go on and develop, no matter whether
this will happen earlier or later.

In Dao De Jing, Lao Zi says that “the Dao of Heaven is impartial” (tian dao
wu qing). The Dao of Heaven, (and the cycles of Nature) doesn't have special
feelings only to certain people, but it is objective and equal to all, it helps
and influences all, it does not serve just the interests of some people. When
there is a rain, it does not intentionally rain only to some people and avoid
others. It simply rains. The Sun also shines on everywhere and influences
everyone. That is why it is said that the natural phenomena and cycles bring
influence to all. Sun Yatsen has one famous saying: “All under Heaven are
equal” (tian xia wei gong). Developing his thought, we can say: “The
Heavenly Dao is equal for the use of all” (tian dao gong yong).

The cycles of Nature are equal to all, but at the same time, of course, they
will reflect to the different people in different ways. In astrology, the
individual horoscopes very precisely show how the cycles of astrological signs
and transits of the planets reflect in a different way. For example, 2012 is the
year of water dragon (ren chen). Depending on the proportion of elements in the
individual horoscope, this year will have various types of influences. To those,
who need the water element, they will get it in 2012, because the stem of the
year contains water element. To others this water element may come too much, or
the “chen” branch sign in 2012 may cause certain problems to them. No matter
how conscious and spiritual is one, if he is in a cycle, which is not very
beneficial to him, this inevitably will bring him certain types of disharmony,
problems and discomforts – either reflecting his work, his health condition,
or in other aspects of
his life. That is why, the transits of planets and the different position of
stars and signs in 2012, like in every other year, will reflect very
individually in the horoscopes.

However, the most important and essential is that the changes are generally
equal to all. No matter what are the cycles, we always have to exert active
efforts for achieving a greater harmony and adaptation.

The study of the new phenomena is very helpful, so that the people will
understand and relate them more objectively. We have to approach the new cycles,
the phenomena and their manifestations in a scientific, holistic and natural
way, without mystic.

Wang Jianjun,
Hanlin Academy