So Will the World really end in 2012?

Since we rang in the New Year, I have been bombarded with people asking me what I think about 2012 and the Mayan prophecy.  Specifically, do I think there is any truth to the prediction that the world will come to a screeching halt on December 21, 2012.  My answer is no, I do not think this day will mark the end of the world.

The Mayans, as you may already know, were an extremely advanced ancient Mexican civilization.  They left evidence which showed, for example, that they had extraordinary skills in mathematics, science, holistic healing, and astronomy.  One such indication of their superior skills was The Mayan Calendar which officially ends on December 21, 2012.  This date concludes a 5,125-year long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Court Calendar.

Why does the calendar end on this date? No one knows for sure. What we do know is that the Mayan Calendar was made up of cycles known as a b’ak’tun which is made up of 144,000 days.  The current (13^th) b’ak’tun will end this year; known to some as Doomsday 2012.

To me all this speculation about what will happen on December 21^st is just that, speculation.  There is no real proof.  It’s all really just “pseudoscience”.  This refers to a situation in which something (a claim, belief, etc.) is being presented as a scientific fact yet it has no basis in science and is actually just a theory.

Let’s examine some theories.  One prevalent one is that the earth will come into perfect alignment with the sun and the center of the universe.  This will cause our planet to be affected by additional gravity and hence knock the earth off its orbit and perhaps right in the path of a comet.  Well, the fact is the earth has been affected by additional gravity before and we are still here.

Another is that a massive solar storm, earthquake or tsunami will wipe us out.  Other speculators claim that Planet X or a planet some call Nibiru will collide with the earth. Where is this planet?  There is no proof that one even exists.

These rumors and all the “pseudoscience” has spread like wildfire and people have come up with all sorts of ideas of how they believe we will see our last day in 2012.  Some even claim that Nostradamus (a 16^th Century French physician and astronomer famous for his predictions of the future) also foretold that the world as we know it will see its demise this year.  Yet the date December 21, 2012 is found nowhere among Nostradamus’ writings.

Again, all these theories are highly speculative; no one will know for sure what will happen on December 21, 2012 until the end of the day December 21, 2012.  By December 22, we will either not be around or we’ll be rejoicing over a failed doomsday and getting ready for a joyous Holiday Season.  Personally, I will most likely be doing my last minute Christmas shopping that day.

I’ve been asked by many what I think of the so-called “New Age” assertion that this date actually marks the start of a period in which we will all go through a positive spiritual transformation.  To this, I will say that, yes, I do think we will go through a spiritual transformation but it’s not going to happen or begin on December 21^st.  It’s happening right now and will continue.

It really is silly to say that on this date and only on this date we will all experience a spiritual awakening or evolution.  On this date, we will all awaken to the realization that we are connected.  We will welcome the idea of Oneness with God.  We will all realize that spirit is primary and the body is secondary.  Spirit is our true self.  Hence, we will all know that there is no real death since we will always live on in spirit.

While I wish we could all wake up and suddenly, instantaneously understand that we are part of a universal consciousness, I can confidently say this will not happen.

As I mentioned earlier, December 21, 2012 will mark the end of the 13^th b’ak’tun according to The Mayan Calendar.  The end of one cycle and the beginning of a new one, according to the ancient Maya, was seen as a time of rebirth.  Contrary to what many think, it was seen as a time to celebrate and express joy.

The Mayan civilization was one of the grandest and most sophisticated in the history of the world.  Although the reason for their downfall is unknown, we do know that they were highly intelligent and were dedicated to studying spirituality.  In many ways it was their advanced understanding of nature and spirituality that sat at the core of their many impressive achievements.

Again, I do not believe there will be a Doomsday 2012.  I do, however, know that we are currently in the midst of a spiritual transformation which will continue through December 21, 2012 and beyond. I am proud to be part of it.  So for now, let us all enjoy love, peace and happiness in the New Year.  May we all, like the Mayan Civilization, continue to expand in spiritual awareness and rejoice.

A friend asked, “What if you’re wrong?”  Well, I did give that some thought and, honestly, nothing will change.  Today and every tomorrow after that, I will continue to enjoy the love of my family and friends.  I will make the most of every day hoping to make a difference in the lives of others.

The point is even without the threat of Armageddon, we should all live and love as if today were our last.

Focus on today, not tomorrow.  Unfortunately, some people spend so much time thinking about what might be that they forget about what truly is.