Co-Creative Alchemy:
Butterfly Cells Unite!
              By Gayatri Erlandson

Editor's note: Gayatri Erlandson, PhD, was managing editor of Spirit in the Smokies, Magazine for New Paradigm Living for 12 years. She now works as consultant and catalyst for collaborative community. She lives in a semi-rural area just 12 minutes from Asheville, NC, in a small cohousing-like community called Lotus Lodge where rooms and apartments are sometimes available, including some for short-term vacation rental. Contact her via her Web site: LivingNewStories.com.

It is context that gives meaning. The same rhythmic, jerky movements a person makes would mean very different things depending upon whether he was on a dance floor, a hospital medical unit, or in a psychiatric hospital.

For years I have searched for a theory or context large enough to give meaning to all that seems to be going on in the world during these times of such global transformation. Then I found one, written in metaphor.

I read the book Butterfly by Norie Huddle and recognized that the caterpillar metamorphosis into a butterfly is perhaps the perfect metaphor for the transformation occurring among people and within consciousness today. Of course, I have expanded and changed what she initially wrote to bring forth ideas I think are important. Please feel free to add your own inspirations to the following, and e-mail them to me. I look forward to seeing what you envision and what we can conspire together!

In the Chrysalis

When the caterpillar is ready, at the perfect time in its life, it creates a cocoon around itself called a chrysalis. Within the chrysalis, it begins to dissolve or "de-structure." New cells form, however, and they are called "imaginal" cells.

Initially, the caterpillar’s immune system resists these seeming intruders. More imaginal cells are birthed, however. It is an evolutionary directive for them to continue forth in ever increasing numbers.

After a while, various imaginal cells begin to communicate and cluster together. While none even know what a complete butterfly is, their clustering begins the building of the needed new structures.

Eventually the imaginal cells become the butterfly.

Beyond Metaphor

This wonderful metaphor suggests many important insights for us to grasp in delight. It’s a vision of our evolutionary unfolding and how we can align with it.

Obviously, the "imaginal cells" represent all those people who desire to live a new life beyond the media-generated status quo, who yearn to live in a new world that works for all, and who deeply desire to do their part. It feels like an evolutionary directive, because it is.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Key Points

First, the metaphor suggests we are to expect widespread, systemic breakdowns. Instead of becoming alarmed or fearful about the destructuring of the old and finding fault anywhere, we can consider that the many changes today are part of some evolutionary directive.

From this point of view, we can let go of stress from seeing the increasing dysfunction of structures such as our economy, government, and our educational systems, etc. We actually can see these events as signs of inevitable, irrepressible, positive, evolutionary change.

Similarly, we can understand that if we attempt to fix or prop up some aspects of failing structures, our efforts are but temporary solutions. What’s being called forth is the possibility of whole new structures and ways of being.

The metaphor suggests we look for, welcome in, and celebrate the new. Many popular teachings tell us that what we focus on expands and multiplies; we are urged to focus only on that which touches our heart and inspires our Soul. We also are taught to bless those things we like with gratitude and appreciation, and thus bring similar blessings into our reality.

Going one step further, what is vital for us "imaginal cells" is to use and develop our intuition and imagination. This means to get creative and to allow the flow of Divine inspiration to inform our lives from within. As we gain skill in co-creating from on high, we are directed in ways we wouldn’t have imagined before.

I believe that as people so align, we are directed to find our soul groups — teams of people with diverse skills and backgrounds but who feel a sense of connection and purpose together. Each group either discerns the initial project or attracts the person(s) with the vision that then catalyzes inspired activity.

Working with intuition and creative imagination, each group is able to take effective action according to Divine Will and build the new structures. Our part may be to help catalyze a group or project with funding. Effectively following inner guidance, which usually involves a sense of exhilaration, is key.

In other words, the imaginal cells that are meant to build a wing or eye or heart of the butterfly will be drawn together to do exactly that. If I am an eyeball cell, then I offer my greatest expression and best contribution when I team up with other eyeball cells.

Some groups will work together for very short time periods while others stay involved much longer. To truly go beyond the old, it’s important now to listen to our heart’s wisdom and passion, to nurture our ability to dream and envision anew, to court the creative muse, listen to our intuition, and take action accordingly.

We are powerful creators, particularly as we combine our energies with the people and projects we’re intuitively called to join. We can’t know what the final "butterfly" will look like but we can follow our higher callings and do our part — by being our highest, authentic selves. We can connect and co-create with others of like heart/mind/Spirit..

Co-creativity, Our Next Evolutionary Step

I believe that co-creating with Spirit and combining this with group effort to co-create together is our next major evolutionary step. As we unite with our various soul-purpose groups, we will co-create projects that were literally unimaginable before.

Every personal process, every interpersonal and spiritual skill we have ever used, will come to bear. More will be needed, along with loving compassion for each other and ourselves as we join the adventure.

I believe many millions of people now are poised to participate in this great, co-creative unfolding, especially as we successfully create collaborative communities together. It is time!

Will the new age get here before old age does?

— Swami Beyondananda