This cannot continue unabated. We can and must make new choices and act upon them. It is within in our grasp and capacity to do so. The first step is to wake up to this option. We have so artfully managed to distract ourselves with personal and collective pleasures and power-seeking that we, as a species, seem hopelessly unconscious to an impending dramatic crossroad in our reality.

An enlightened future is not about polarities. It is not about who we do or do not vote for, democracy or plutocracy, or war or peace. It is not about differences between various religious texts and what various groups of people think about them. It is not about capitalism or the corruption of society by the "commodification" of our personal and social relationships. These are all the short-term choices that we seem to have already made by default and for which we now seek remedies.

An enlightened future is about how diversity and contrast can truly function as part of a coherent and unifying whole that is greater than the sum of its parts – and that at the same time benefits each unique part with the perspectives of all parts. Our challenge now is to facilitate ways for the greatest number of people to see this as a choice for themselves and to act accordingly.

What is before us is the emergence of an evolutionary shift in our physical, social, psychological, and spiritual existence. This shift benefits everyone, regardless of their personal circumstances or belief system. All that is needed is to surrender our ordinary personal and societal "ambitions" to welcome the adventure beckoning to us more powerfully every day from our future selves. Thus, we can find resolution to all aspects of ordinary human suffering and our seemingly endless conflict with our natural environment.

Can we open ourselves to the possibility of something wonderful? Can we let go of the old long enough to intend for ourselves an enlightened future?

This is truly the choice before us now. It has always been our choice to make.

What matters is now. Always.