Topian Mantras
by Joel Federman

A guru was once asked why there is so much unhappiness in the world. His reply was two words: “Bad mantras.” (A mantra is a sound, word, or idea that is repeated over and over as a ritual in many kinds of religious and meditative practices)

There is great and powerful wisdom in that response. What we tell ourselves about the nature of the world and ourselves, over and over--or what we allow ourselves to hear--creates our reality to a very large degree.

Instead of accepting the mantras of fear and violence that are now so prevalent in the the world, it is better to make one's mantra one of creating a dream of love and compassion in the world and doing everything one can to make that dream real. We choose our mantras with each breath we take. It is important to choose wisely.

The great thing about the idea of topia--as opposed to utopia--is that we get to live it, too. It’s not just for lucky future generations. When we share topia, we are sharing our waking dreams, our experiences and visions of the world “on Earth as it is in heaven.” It is not only a way of seeing, it is a way of
experiencing life.

Words have energy, even on the canvass of an internet screen. Every written word begins as a spoken word in our minds, and thus has the vibration that comes from the spoken word inherent in it. The vibrations of the words we speak, whether in our minds, or aloud, or on paper, or on the internet, have an energy signature to them.

As you read these words, there is a corresponding vibration within you. If, on some level or to some degree you share my experience, the vibration rings deeper and truer within you--it resonates within you. We share a topian moment. And then you have the choice of creating some response.