Life is always moving us forward, and we’re part of life’s expansion and growth. At times, we may feel that little has changed, even though we’re doing our best to do our creative work, make plans, and reach goals.
But in reality, change occurs from moment to moment. And although our lives are determined in part by the circumstances we find ourselves in, even small actions can have far-reaching effects!
In these troubled times, it’s easy to become discouraged and think that whatever we do will make no difference for ourselves or others. But what each of us contributes, however small, can lead to amazing positive results.
Everything starts with the individual.
There’s something called the “Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon.” During the mid-20th century, Japanese primatologists were observing macaque monkeys living on an island. In 1952 they began leaving food for them, including sweet potatoes, in open areas such as beaches to study the effect this might have on the monkeys’ behavior. What happened surprised them.
After one of the monkeys discovered that she could clean the potatoes by washing them in the ocean, others began to engage in the same behavior. Before long, a few other monkeys in the same group took up this strategy.
After a few years, the scientists observed that many more of the monkeys were also washing the potatoes. Then, all at once, almost all of the monkeys in the group were doing this, and then, inexplicably, the behavior spread to groups on other islands.
The scientists theorized that after a certain number of primates engaged in a behavior, it only took one more to tip the balance, so to speak. A group consciousness had developed based on the final monkey who created the tipping point.
There have been examples of the hundredth monkey phenomenon in humanity as well.
During the Agricultural Revolution, many societies in different parts of the world changed around the same time, from hunting and gathering to engaging in farming. Shifts in thinking can occur when a critical mass of people adopt an idea.
When the consciousness of enough people changes, it can have an exponential effect. What you do makes a difference, not only to your own life but to everyone’s.
We are all interconnected. Your intentions and actions matter. You may be the hundredth to create a tipping point in a positive direction for humanity.
“We can be realistic and optimistic at the same time because, ultimately, the view of the Dharma is encouraging and life-affirming. The Buddha taught that all beings have the potential to wake up completely and that all of us will eventually get there. He and many other wise people in this world have given us tools for taking whatever occurs in our lives and using it to cultivate our basic goodness and become more and more able to be there for others.”–Pema Chodron
