The nature of our species and the calling of the soul is to seek triumph over adversity and peace over conflict.
By Jo Mooy
Throughout human history venturing into the unknown was perilous. Guides who knew the way through uncharted territories were revered, not just because they made the treacherous journey, but for the knowledge they brought back about what they encountered. Babylonian guides told stories of mythic beasts that inhabited the land and oceans where they’d traveled. They drew those areas on their maps, which were passed down to other civilizations. In time, Medieval mapmakers copied the ancient maps with one 16th century cartographer inscribing the words, “Here Be Dragons” on the unknown areas as a warning to seafarers.
Venturing into a New Year can feel like stepping into the unknown. To provide firm footing we set out wishes and hope that things will be better than in the previous year. The “Guides of History,” however, prove that’s never a sure thing because hiding in the depths, There Be Dragons! If we look back a few years, 2020 dawned well until an unexpected global pandemic arrived in March, shutting down the world and upending every norm our generation relied on. And who expected the dragons would unleash a 21st century world war when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022?
Still, despite the dragons, we press on! The nature of our species and the calling of the soul is to seek triumph over adversity and peace over conflict. Powerful institutions convey daily messages that everything around us is negative. It’s difficult to find any good news or positive stories in the tar pit of negativity spewing from the addictive media forums. In those wide-reaching social forums, there are always dragons on the prowl stoking fear and hatred.
Wherever There Be Dragons, there too Be “Dragon Tamers.” The Tamers are Guides who made the trek into the abyss and came back to say, all is not lost. They point to the good news stories that slide into the cracks and shine a light for others to see and smile at what they’ve read or heard. They tell us that though we may not know who they are, many are out there in the land taming the dragons. And they are making a difference in small ways on a local level. They persist in positive responses when it appears they’ll be swamped by the negative momentum. They persist despite the interference and setbacks they encounter with every news cycle. They persist by holding on to the purest values of decency and respect for others. They persist by always offering hope.
How do I know this? Because the little light beams are out there where the dragons reside. They are unknowns lighting up the unknown. Researchers for The Well Being of Planet Earth Foundation conducted a survey of thousands of people across 140 countries between April 2022 and February 2023. They found that “Though there’s been a steady growth in world conflicts and bad news over the last decade, 61 percent feel at inner peace, even though the world is not.”
The survey found that 80 percent were in harmony with others around them. Seventy-three percent felt stable and secure in their lives and were content with their life situation. Sixty-six percent said their minds were at ease and their lives were in balance, even as the world was not. The researchers concluded that even the darkest news could not unravel or dim the inner peace that these respondents across 140 countries felt about their personal lives.
Gandhi said, “In order for there to be peace, each person must find the peace within.” Perhaps this survey represents a worldwide swing away from the outer calamities that dominate the external news and towards the sublime inner peace and harmony that’s present within. When venturing into the unknown New Year, be patient. The dragons in the dark may have moved on because the light of these beings all over the world is shining more brightly and taming the dragons. Even though we may not realize it, The Dragon Tamers are making a difference in all the unknown corners where There Be Dragons. And, by their glorious endeavors, touching all our lives.
Jo Mooy has studied with many spiritual traditions over the past 40 years. The wide diversity of this training allows her to develop spiritual seminars and retreats that explore inspirational concepts, give purpose and guidance to students, and present esoteric teachings in an understandable manner. Along with Patricia Cockerill, she has guided the Women’s Meditation Circle since January 2006 where it has been honored for five years
in a row as the “Favorite Meditation” group in Sarasota, FL, by Natural Awakenings Magazine. Teaching and using Sound as a retreat healing practice, Jo was certified as a Sound Healer through Jonathan Goldman’s Sound Healing Association. She writes and publishes a monthly internationally distributed e-newsletter called Spiritual Connections and is a staff writer for Spirit of Maat magazine in Sedona. For more information go to
http://www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.
