The Golden Motorcycle Gang (Blog)

[Savage]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Steve Pavlina's blog:

The Golden Motorcycle Gang

[Asmoday]

This is precisely what I've been looking for...

...for my part, I'm all-in.

Let's clear some of these roadblocks together, so conscious evolution can flourish.

[mmartin2009]

I found this so inspiring! My passion and interest is to serve on a physical level, to encourage wellness and love of our physical bodies. I WISH I knew how to actualize this, the 'how' part hasn't come to me yet. I'm just about to finish massage school but that's just the beginning, I want to empower people to take an active role in their health.

[Andreas]

Very thought-provoking.

I would certainly be interested in networking with other lightworkers in my generation. Too often, people feel that their spiritual family is far from them... I know I've felt like that in the past. Reading the last part of this article made me think of an organization that would be like Toastmasters, but for lightworkers. Bringing like-minded people together to make a positive impact. Like a "TLP Alliance"

This kind of thing happens during CGWs too, doesn't it?

FWIW, I still think "Steve's House Camp" would be potentially hilarious and undoubtedly a very impactful experience, but I know that's probably not QUITE what you want to invite into your reality right now. Still the best April Fools joke ever...

I also feel that this group you're referring to could use some kind of name. Like "Gen-STO"... Well, perhaps a better name will come to me. Oh! What about GMG: The Next Generation. (sorry, I couldn't resist)

[Michelle Howe]

I've always felt that pre-existing systems were too rigid, too structured and steeped in tradition. ToastMasters, for example, spends a great deal of time on pomp and circumstance, when they could be doing things far more constructive with that time.

While I can't speak for your generation, Steve, I can speak for my own. I'm 23, and the people I've met in the last few years that want to help others and are service oriented are just as you described: struggling to find a place in the corporate world while still trying to find a way to help, or believing that being in the corporate world is the best way to do that.

Right now, even if they realize that going the standard corporate route MAY not be the best for them, they don't see a way out. They often see starting their own business and think they could do more from inside the system.

The only problem is, people in my generation are so young and have had so little time (comparatively) to start down their path, it's hard to determine if they're high on the college attitude of "save the world" or really are committed to doing something.

Still, most of them are VERY eager to meet someone of a like mind, even in widely disparate fields, such as a long conversation I (a visual artist) had with with a law student about our purpose and the way we can help people and world.

People my age have a very small network of people that they can connect with on this level, so they are more than happy to form new connections with their brother and sisters in purpose. Most of my friends are in their 30s-40s. Haha.

[butterflyeffect]

Definite sync.

I am really keen to connect with people my own age and create something big and just have fun. Value everyone for themselves and utilise all our unique talents.

[Tobias Zimpel]

Awesome! This is exactly what I've been looking for for at least a decade. I know I am here for a purpose, but since I'm barely able to cover even the most basic costs of living, I'm constantly drawn into money-first approaches, whether I get a job, freelance or start growing a business.

I would absolutely love to connect with people who share a similar mission in making the world a better place.

[Absolutely human]

Bringing like-minded people together in the real world in hopes to find new solutions is to my mind an absolutely wonderful idea.

Myself, I am currently very much seeking new solutions in my life, having found that I am quite incapable of pretending any longer to be something that I know I'm not for the sake of earning an income in an environment that truly doesn't accept my being fully myself, or for the sake of having a relationship either. Been dumb enough to try to do one or the other or both for quite long enough. So, even though this is a site for Smart People, and I'm not altogether certain I can at lest as yet honestly claim to be all that smart, I did decide to register and offer my voice in support of this cause anyway.

[eyerings]

Steve, this one post of yours tugged my heart so much that I felt very compelled to write my feedback here. Yes, count me in to be part of the trailblazer team, for I am tired of running alone already.

[cheesedip1]

Indeed, indeed. I have thought about working for a lightworking/consciousness raising business as well. I wouldn't have to work for some business that doesn't even need to exist, and I would have other people around me to network with and learn from.

[Darth Bellows]

Go team!

[Shane Snyder]

As I was reading the blog post by Steve I recalled the mission statement of a spiritual center I go to here in San Diego called UNITY.

"Inspiring personal greatness and transforming our world with love"

The part that always got me was the "transforming our world with love" part.

I made an internal decision about 2 years ago that I was going to change this world (in as massive of a way as possible) for the better. When I look back at who I was and how I felt as a child and teenager, I realize now that I have always felt that way. Becoming an adult and going through the changes and inherent stresses that seem to commonly accompany that seemed to block that natural feeling that I have had since as far back as I can remember.

I want to change this world, however that may be (as this is still unfolding for me) in a MASSIVE way.

I know that even literally helping your neighbor will effect positive change in the world, and I realize that if everyone did this simultaneously, that it would actually work. But this is not going to happen anytime soon and I have a tugging feeling to change things on a bigger scale.

I have been effectively independent for a long time and started a business in the middle of the recession, while losing my house, without a job or any start-up capitol. But I realize that in order for my desires to come to fruition, I need to become effectively interdependent (thanks 7 habits).

I would love to do what was proposed in the blog by Steve.

My question is: Who is going to take the reins and lead the way? I understand their may be many leadership positions that would form as time went on, but who is REALLY going to start this and give it the systems it needs for structure and consistency.

It's easy to talk about an idea. It's a whole other thing to actually get it going and maintain it.

[DannyS]

anybody in the Austin area? Might as well meet each other and get started.....

[Shane Snyder]

Hey Danny,

From Steve's Blog post it looks like he has an idea of how he would want to structure this, but that it is not complete yet and he is just feeling things out to see what kind of response he can get to it first.

I think before we get together, we should wait to hear his response and see if he has a game plan for what his idea is.

Though I think it is a good idea to start figuring out where each of us lives.

I am in the San Diego area. Specifically Santee.

[TimG]

I am interested.

Here's some related stuff I have been reading that goes into what Steve talks about, particularly unsustainable systems, and also possible replacements.

you can read this book online for free, it pretty much nails the sustainability issue.
Home - Ascent of Humanity

And another book (in a series of blog posts) also for free which I am really finding though provoking "sacred economics" provides ideas and possible solutions to the "bits we need to fix"
.
Sacred Economics: Chapter 1, "The Gift World" (Pt. 2) | Reality Sandwich
Sacred Economics: Chapter 2, "The Illusion of Scarcity" (Pt. 3) | Reality Sandwich
Sacred Economics: Chapter 3, "Money and the Mind" (Pt. 4) | Reality Sandwich
and so on...

[Sven Schoene]

I'm interested in this, but I'm going to be watching how this turns out.

[Alan!]

In!

[MariconesUnited]

Definitely piqued my interest with that one Steve. I would really like to meet you someday. I should make plans to attend one of your workshops really.

A few things to note. First, it's a wonderful idea, but ideas are a dime a dozen as we all know. I most definitely would like it to blossom into a powerful positive agent in the world. I appreciate everyone wanting to pitch in and do something, but without more concrete wording it will be difficult to move forward in any way. I'm seeing a lot of ''positive change'' and ''change through love'' and things like that. I understand this is just the beginning of a conversation, but avoiding the specifics for too long will just lead to collective mental masturbation.

Second...I don't think I'm service oriented fundamentally speaking. I'm much more into the exploration of the human condition. It's why I'm in love with acting. I suppose at some point my focus will shift towards sharing my growth experiences with others (like now maybe? ), but right now I'm more in tune with collecting those life-changing and perception-altering experiences than I am with sharing them. I think having a positive network of people who would help me in different ways to express and relate those experiences could really help accelerate my personal growth. And I could share this knowledge and wisdom with the rest of us. Win-win scenario.

Since I was warning of the dangers of staying too vague I suppose it would be wise to delve into some specifics. Maybe this will inspire others to share more as well.

Current interests: Acting, modelling and singing. With regards to singing I feel like I'm only beginning to tap into my potential and self-confidence is shaky on that talent right now. Acting and modelling I can definitely handle. Acting, to me right now, is just deeper than life itself. I truly adore it.

Abilities: filmmaking, screenwriting, photography, camera work, editing, some sound design (studied it in 2004), drawing.

Causes I'm most sensible to: Eliminating unnecessary suffering, animal rights, gay rights, women's rights, finding a long-term solution to this seemingly never-ending war upon the environment we are collectively waging, spreading the understanding and benefits of empathy and compassion and cultivating the rational mind. I've been holding on to this idea of making videos about that last cause for some time now.

Current location: Montreal Canada. Next year I will be travelling to Chile, Los Angeles then Toronto.

I'll keep an open mind. Let's see where this leads us!

[sullster]

I'm a uni student and involved in an organisation called AIESEC - about creating positive change agents. Graduating next June, and want to work out next steps (have decided to postpone job hunting for a year or two ... or maybe a lifetime ... well it'll be a lifetime if I can help it and stay away from the corporate world).

My thoughts at the minute is something similar to the way groups like Avaaz or 38 Degrees(UK people power) have idea discussion boards, select the most popular or most liked, and send out a poll to all its members to figure out which ones to focus on. But instead of just signing your name on a petition against a government bill etc. or writing a letter, you become part of seperate action.

Action that in some way looks to change something in that particular field, be that a commercial enterprise (cite: Toms shoes - every pair made, another pair is made for a child in poverty), or things like the world community grid, using spare computer power from individuals to contribute on a global scale to charitable projects.

Would love to start off my lifetime (although the parents don't know how long I'm planning yet) gap year doing something like this...

Or helping start it off, organizing a conference somewhere random but accessible and just keeping it free flowing with different points around a venue to discuss random issues, and see what comes of it...

Any thoughts/ anyone wants to organise a conference like it with me, give me a shout... its been in my head for about 6 months ... a 'change the world' conference but I'd shelved it until I read this article!!!!!! I figure nows the time to get the party started...

[Asmoday]

Nothing stops us from talking now though....

Thrive - YouTube

[Shane Snyder]

Hey Asmoday,

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you promoting "darkworkers"?

I did not know about this term until recently, but in Steve's blog articles he doesn't seem to be shedding a lot a "good" light on them. Are Darkworkers Evil?

I am confused as to why you would want to become part of a social network that is filled the the opposite of what you are...

[Asmoday]

Originally Posted by Shane Snyder

Hey Asmoday,

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you promoting "darkworkers"?

I did not know about this term until recently, but in Steve's blog articles he doesn't seem to be shedding a lot a "good" light on them. Are Darkworkers Evil?

I am confused as to why you would want to become part of a social network that is filled the the opposite of what you are...

Well, I wouldn't say I am promoting it -- as in, advocating Darkworking and trying to convince others that Darkworking is "the way" or anything like that. Rather, I am, with my website, simply offering up the Path as I have known it, for those who seek it out. Basically, offering up my own knowledge to save others all the seeking, searching, trail, and error so they can spend more time in whatever their Great Work happens to be...I benefit, both directly and in a more generalized sense, when they do so.

In any case, this is a great question that I figured would come up, because it sheds light on something important, but first let me tackle a technical point...

Nowhere did Steve indicate that Lightworkers only need apply. He did, indicate those with a "service-oriented" mindset are welcome, so I knocked on the door.

The problems, and more importantly how he framed the structure around those problems spoke to me, and I couldn't agree more with his assessment.

Does this surprise you?

I don't mean this negatively, but if so, it speaks more to a lack of understanding which many people have about Darkworking, than anything else.

But, I'll take on that understanding and frame it that way for a moment, if you'd like...

I am, like you, dependent on the systems around me.

How does it serve me to have polluted air, food, and water?

How does it serve me to have twisted financial systems that issue debt based money, and create exacerbated boom and bust cycles, which lead to hard earned opportunity rather than abundant opportunity?

How does it serve me to have no real control over the political system, unless I help instigate unrest with considerable risk, or climb to the top of the money heap?

Most importantly, how does it serve me to be dependent on unsustainable systems?

In short, who would rather live in a swamp over a paradise?

Its common sense, what hurts all of us, includes me. The opposite of these states for my environment, clearly serves me much better.

And now, dropping this false paradigm, its more than that.

Darkworkers must Honor the Self.

Just as I appreciate my "dark" nature, I am bound to honor compassion when it arises -- to do otherwise is to restrict me from full expression. Not gonna happen.

I admit, there are a small group of us who are definitely propping up some of these unsustainable systems. But, you are responsible for your own actions, and your actions alone, are you not? And even then, these rotten apples are, I would argue, in a state of Dark Fusion. Technically, as a teacher who claims Darkworking, I have more of an "obligation" to do something in regards to them than anyone else.

My other option would be to serve them and hope for a spot at the table, and I had that opportunity, but they disgust me. Over my dead body.

I believe in human potential, and find my "bliss" when I help it to fruition. They would choke it out. Thus, on this specific question, I have more in common with a Lightworker than I do with them. And, I understand that among Darkworkers, this "bliss" makes me a rare thing. It is what it is.

Its true, we are different. I will go farther on methods, use energies a lightworker would not use, and so on. This does not inherently mean we can't share a common goal.

If I am turned away from this group because of my chosen road, it says far more about Lightworkers than it would about me. And, that would be a sad thing, because all great human achievements have come when we have worked together. My contributions to this group, exhibited by what I have already done to wake people up to these problems (if you have been paying attention), would be massive.

And, after all, I know how the "problem children" think, Lightworkers don't.

I'm cold on the street here, and I'm tired because I got hit in the gut with a baton. I'm so tired. More than anything, I don't think I have two battles in me at this point. Its one thing to resist those who would oppress us, but I just don't have it within to struggle with potential friends. So, this isn't my best or most eloquent argument. Instead, I'll let this video I put together a while back speak for me, and hope for the best:

Night Of A Thousand Masks -11.11.11 - Anonymous - YouTube

[Darth Bellows]

I wonder about changing institutions from within. Corporations and government departments that is.

Ikea and other large companies update their forestry practices. This has an immediate massive impact.

As an individual within a large institution you can feel alone. But if you seek out allies and speak your mind in the appropriate settings I'm willing to bet you'll find allies.

I don't speak from much experience, just a hunch.

[Cado]

Originally Posted by Asmoday

If I am turned away from this group because of my chosen road, it says far more about Lightworkers than it would about me. And, that would be a sad thing, because all great human achievements have come when we have worked together. My contributions to this group, exhibited by what I have already done to wake people up to these problems (if you have been paying attention), would be massive.

This is something I've been saying for a while. Like Asmoday, I get my rocks off by seeing human potential fulfilled. I am, for all intents and purposes, an ally of lightworkers. Like Asmoday, though, I'd go farther than many of them in order to achieve my goals.

And I'm not going to put words in Asmoday's mouth but for my part it's why I say it's necessary for us to collaborate. There are enough differences that we tend to get stuck inside of our own little bubbles when we shut the other side out and that not only restricts us personally, it prevents us from seeing the value in what the other side does when we disagree with it. Generally I'm far quicker to write people off than most lightworkers because my time is extremely valuable and most people don't have it in them to push for excellence. Lightworkers have repeatedly proven me wrong and I've been forced to examine myself as a result. Likewise, I've convinced more than one lightworker that they were wasting their energies trying to help someone and that they were at or nearing what Steve calls lightworker syndrome, which then freed their energies for more productive tasks.

That's one of the simplest examples of the synergy we have. You guys wanna change the world? You'll need us. If we want to set up a system that's stable and equitable but still allows for the pursuit of excellence, we'll need you. If one side rejects the other wholesale we damn ourselves. If there's understanding and a common goal we might just prevent this metaphorical Titanic from slamming into an ice berg.

[trumpetQ]

Count me in for sure. This idea resonates with me in a big way and it's time for action.

[Shane Snyder]

Hey Asmoday and Cado,

I wanted to respond to each point of your individually, but I do not have the energy to over-complicate things.

I will keep my response simple.

Steve's articles on darkworkers paint a picture that you are both only partially portraying. To be honest it sounds to me like you guys are lightworkers and not darkworkers (from Steve's take on the subject).

I have not read every single article that he has written in regards to this. Maybe I should. Though the ones I have read are painting a much more polar opposite picture than what you guys are saying.

I simply read his article and then saw that you were claiming to be a darkworker. If you were anything like his articles suggest, then no I could not imagine why you would become a part of this group.

The necessary balancing effect that darkworkers bring to the table has it's value (in my opinion) in simply "existing"...not in working directly with lightworkers as both of you seem to suggest.

Either way, I am not too worried about it. Things take natural form all on their own as long as there is a focus.

Steve, I haven't seen you respond to anything. I am sure your a busy man, but do you have any input yet to this whole matter of a group being established?

I am very interested in doing something like this and come on here to check on your response everyday.

[Cado]

Originally Posted by Shane Snyder

I simply read his article and then saw that you were claiming to be a darkworker. If you were anything like his articles suggest, then no I could not imagine why you would become a part of this group.

We equate darkworking with the left-hand path and that's much more layered than what Steve covered, although it's often perceived the same way by outsiders.

Satanism is a prime example of a left-hand path religion which the mainstream thinks is about devil worship when it's actually about self-empowerment, self-realization, and self-liberation through the use of symbols, breaking taboos, etc. They don't even believe in a literal devil but people think they sacrifice children and B-movie schlock like that.

That's about what Steve's articles are in regard to darkworking. It's not nearly as bad, mind you, but he's only presenting part of the picture and his articles only scratch the surface. I have a lot of respect for him and I sympathize with trying to adequately describe polarity as a concept (there simply aren't words for some things) but he hasn't done darkworking justice. What he's written is the equivalent of what would happen if a darkworker wrote extensively about lightworking. Your typical darkworker would probably get the basics right but paint lightworkers as self-righteous and weak.

It's all a matter of perspective, see.

Darkworking and the left-hand path is about honoring yourself above everything else, refusing to acknowledge any external authority, and coming into your own via the pursuit of excellence and power. To paraphrase a book I've been reading we don't submit to the divine, we drag it to us kicking and screaming.

I know the word "submit" has a lot of negative connotations for people so here's what I mean by that: a lightworker always acknowledges a higher order and regards it as more important than their personal desires. If something doesn't pan out, it wasn't meant to be and they trust something else will come their way. For a darkworker, the game isn't over until they win. The lightworker says, "I trust you, God" and the darkworker turns his eyes skyward and shouts, "I'm coming for you ya bastard!"

I have written extensively on this topic in my posts so while I can go on for quite a bit I'm going to leave off here and let you dig if you want to know more. This is the most recent thread on polarity I've taken part in so I'd start there: So why can't I be like Gandalf (Darkworking / lightworking)

[momo313]

Originally Posted by Cado

...
The lightworker says, "I trust you, God" and the darkworker turns his eyes skyward and shouts, "I'm coming for you ya bastard!"

...

I don't believe you understand either of the concepts very well.

The lightworker says, "I serve you, God"; the darkworker says, "I AM God".

Whereby God is a metaphor for the greater good.

[Asmoday]

To return the thread more to its intended direction:

Millionaires ask Congress to raise their taxes - Nov. 16, 2011

[Pace]

Steve,

I've been working on a similar project for the past three years -- connecting and empowering world-changers. Here's what I've learned from my experience.

Previously, I was co-leader of the Freak Revolution. Our slogan was "Normal people won't change the world; we will!". Our message was very powerful and resonated with a lot of people, but it was out of alignment with oneness because it created an "us vs. them" mentality.

We created a forum where our freaky world-changers could connect, and it was good, but insular. It helped people know that they are not alone, but not a lot of growth and world-changing happened. So we shut it down and evolved into the Connection Revolution.

Our goal with the Connection Revolution is to attract like-minded people, help them connect with each other, and help them develop the skills they need to change the world.

On the skill-development side, we've offered courses in personal development, world-changing writing, entrepreneurship, and teaching. We blog about these topics. We wrote a book about communication and relationships. (The Usual Error; remember that?)

On the connection side, we've highlighted people on our blog, gotten to know people online and off, encouraged people to connect via social media and blog comments, created course-specific forums, taught in-person group workshops and online group coaching. We've got a list of allies on our website to point our people to them.

What I've learned from these efforts at connection is that most people feel like they're the only ones. They're thrilled to find a place where they belong with people who share their values and passions. But then when they find it, they don't really know what to do with it. If you dump them into a big forum, they might connect with a handful of people and make a few friends, and that's awesome, but they don't self-organize.

What we've found works better is, instead of having one big community, to organize specific groups of people for a specific purpose. For example, students taking the same course joining an online forum just for that course. At first, everyone wants me and Kyeli (the leaders) to pay attention to them, but since we're interacting in a forum and encouraging people to interact, they start helping each other out. The momentum and focus still needs to come from the leader(s), though.

The same principle works well for offline groups like workshops. You need a leader, a facilitator, a moderator.

This is why this forum right here isn't sufficient to achieve the goal you're talking about. We've got all these amazing people in the same place talking to each other and discussing ideas, and it's awesome, but it's not the thing you're envisioning.

When I first started out with the Connection Revolution, I thought I would be gathering world-changing leaders together and helping them act cohesively instead of independently. Instead, we accumulated lots of followers instead of leaders. The leaders are already doing their own things.

Also, just having a big list of "these people are awesome and here's why" helps a little, but a personal recommendation or introduction is much more effective. A lot of what I do is introduce people to the other people they need to be collaborating with or talking to. I haven't figured out an effective way to automate or systematize that.

So I think that creating one great big community of world-changers would just create a great big mess. The two useful separable tasks are:

1. provide support structures for YOUR people to do what they came here to do, and

2. do something completely different for the leaders who already have their own groups and are already actively pursuing their own visions.

Trying to lump both together fails because they have different needs.

Let me know if you want to talk about this more. It's a big chunk of my life's work, so I've got a lot to say about it. (:

*hugs*
Pace

p.s. DannyS: I'm in Austin! *raises hand*