Reflections on Collective Consciousness and Plastic Bags

What is collective consciousness?  As we share time together, finding our way through the pandemic, corrupt autocracies, endless wars, racial injustice, belief in all manner of alternative realities, with the threatening edge of climate change always encroaching more and more on our lives, we may want to check in with this question. 

In speaking to scholars, theologians, scientists, and esoteric thinkers you may hear a different perspective from each one.  I would like to direct the question to people who, among other things, breathe, drink, and eat. 

We begin by considering the moments when we put a plastic bag in the trash that is destined to go into a landfill, being careful that we do not linger on the uncomfortable feeling that arises inside as we try not to think about our part in all this.  Unfortunately, there are not enough of us who engage in this important question.   Also, unfortunately, we are the ones who need to become aware of the fact that the plastic bag is just one small item on our to-do list. 

I ask again: where is our collective consciousness in regard to our quality of life?  We are dependent on the earth along with all the flora and fauna organic life has given us.   

We have been told since our earliest reflections that we are the most intelligent species on the planet.  We may have access to a form of intelligence but our ability to see the reality we have made requires us to use our collective consciousness. 

Last night I dreamt that I was in my house walking around.  All the rooms were empty and the windows were open.  As I looked out the windows I noticed I was surrounded by water.  I kept walking around watching until the water had reached the window sill.  Then I thought "the water is going to come into my house" but it was too late as the water began to rush in.  I began to awaken because I knew I was going to drown.  Engulfed by the sensation of rushing water that propelled me from my window, I wondered why I had not gone out the window before it was too late. 

My final reflection on the question "What is collective consciousness?" requires a quick anatomical solution.  I recommend we dislodge our head from our ass so it can join forces with our heart.