Shikasta

I red it around my 20s and left an indelible mark on me, because while reading it, "something" within, it total surprise, kept saying: "exactly, it is like that". Surprise because life on Earth, since I began to awake my first hints of awareness about being here, could never find a resonance with this place. I was an alien and I felt as such. 

This is the first novel in Doris Lessing's Canopus in Argos: Archives series. It presents the history of Earth (referred to as Shikasta) from a cosmic perspective, primarily through the documents and reports of the emissaries of Canopus, a benevolent and highly evolved galactic empire.

The narrative reveals that in its early days, Earth, then called Rohanda, was a flourishing planet nurtured by Canopus through astral currents and a vital energy called SOWF ("Substance-of-We-Feeling"). This connection fostered a harmonious and advanced civilisation. However, a cataclysmic cosmic event severed this "Lock" with Canopus, leading to a decline in SOWF and the subsequent degeneration of humanity.

A malevolent empire, Shammat, seizes this opportunity to exert its negative influence on Shikasta, fostering selfishness, conflict, and ultimately leading humanity down a path of self-destruction. Secret Canopean emissaries, including the central figure Johor (who incarnates in various forms throughout history), are repeatedly sent to Shikasta to try and guide humanity back towards a more harmonious existence aligned with the "Purpose" of the universe.

The book chronicles key periods in Earth's history, reinterpret events like the biblical flood and the Tower of Babel within this cosmic framework. A significant portion of the novel focuses on the 20th century, depicted as the "Period of the Last Days," marked by increasing violence, ideological conflict, and the threat of nuclear annihilation.

Of course I felt an immediate strong resonance with Johor, especially in one of his human incarnations, when he was George Sherban in the 20th century. Observing the situations, on Earth (Shikasta), around him, he often feels the strong urge to intervene, especially when he recognises someone of previous lives together, with whom he even became friend, and want to warn them, for impending danger or a negative outcome. But, let's call it a "voice" from within, stops him. It's the guidance of Canopus who reminds him the larger cosmic plan, which usually requires non-interference even when individual suffering is evident. 

In fact the nature of Canopean Intervention to influence Shikasta is subtle and indirect. Direct interference is usually avoided to give space to free will and learning through experience, even if those experiences are harsh. 

Nevertheless, Johor being a human now, situations like these create in him a profound internal conflict, a deep struggle between his strong empathy and the acceptance of larger cosmic forces at play. So, his frustration feelings of powerlessness are clearly evident. 

Yes, these are very familiar feelings...