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AFTERWORD

Understanding Our Shared Unconsciousness

he  only    way to  effect  authentic,  enduring    change  is  to  gain    a

thorough    grasp   of  what    it  is  that    really  needs   to  change.

When    we  undertake   the task    of  becoming    conscious,  we

realize that    unconsciousness is  the result  of  a   variety of  interlocking

factors.    Each    of  us  has inherited   themes  of  unconsciousness from

generations past—and    not just    from    our own ancestors,  but also    from    the

cultural    collective.

In  other   words,  society—including   our peer    groups—plays    an  equal

role    in  conditioning    us  as  do  our parents.    Indeed, as  we  embark  on  an

investigation   of  our unconsciousness,    we  discover    how interdependent

we  are with    all who have    gone    before  us  and all who come    in  contact

with    us. We  awaken  to  the fact    that    our unconsciousness is  a   function    of

the unconsciousness of  everyone    around  us.

To  be  a   conscious   parent  requires    us  to  learn   to  respond to  reality in  a

conscious   manner  rather  than    from    blind   impulse,    using   reason  instead

of  reacting,   and employing   our active  will    in  preference  to  coming  from

passive conditioning.   It  helps   to  realize that    children,   by  their   inherent

nature, desire  deep,   lasting,    authentic   connection  with    us. If, then,   our

children    have    turned  against or  away    from    us, it  means   we  haven’t met

their   emotional   needs   or  taught  them    how to  meet    their   own needs.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER