It isn't always just the peoples of Third-World countries, or those who live under brutal tyrants. It isn't just about staying in an abusive relationship, or putting up with an employer's bad attitude. It isn't even just about low vibration energies that happen ``over there'' or ``to someone else.''

Chances are, you know someone right now who is being oppressed. In fact, chances are good it could be you.

Most who've been attentive to their bodies and energy fields are familiar with their own patterns and rhythms -- you know the kind of head cold you're likely to get. You can almost anticipate when that sinus headache is going to strike. That low backache is cyclical in nature, and predictable (and not just for women!). And, you know the kinds of remedies required to heal yourself -- a nurturing massage, an hour in a hot tub, a special herbal tea. There are, or were, no mysteries to your normal personal health issues. But, it seems that for some, times have changed.

Since the run-up to the beginning of W. Bush's war, many of those we'll call ``light-workers'' for lack of a better term have been experiencing phenomena that seem to ``come out of nowhere,'' wreak havoc on health and/or lives, then disappear without explanation. Pinched nerves along the spine that cause acute, shooting pains (and the word ``shooting'' is indicative) or throbbing, blinding headaches occur with no indication or memory of injury or strain to explain them. The sinus passages suddenly (within minutes) fill up with thick, grainy mucus which disappears in a matter of hours -- no known exposures to allergens or even vulnerabilities to them to enlighten the mystery. Calm, serene personalities begin to experience attacks of severe anxiety. Nightmares -- you haven't had one in over twenty years, and suddenly you startle yourself awake in a cold sweat, terrified by the images playing out in your subconscious.

It goes on and on, of course. If this kind of thing has been happening to you, take heart: It's not necessarily indicative of a failure or lack on your part. In fact, it could well mean you're being asked to process tensions, stresses, anxieties, and fears for the entire planet. It's a concept that's not new to those of you who've been actively working for the transformation of our race, and those who've been asked to do this kind of thing before will know it's hard, unglamorous work that was never meant to make the headlines.

Similar phenomena occurred after 9/11/01, but there was an EVENT that gave a signal that hard times were upon us. W. Bush's war was a slower build-up to those severe levels of tension, more difficult to notice. Adding to this particular series of events are the extreme levels of polarization surrounding it, and on a planetary scale. It's not only the hawks who are contribuing to the situation, it's also the strident, sometimes violent calls of those who think of themselves as ``doves.'' It's enough to say that both extremes of thought and action create a tremendous amount of tension without delving into the relative rightness or wrongness (if any) of either position.

In a relatively recent development, light-workers are now talking about being energetically fatigued, and that they're experiencing this at odd times, and more frequently. Whether they are conscious of their activities on behalf of our planet or not, they are still enduring the fatigue that comes with long-term activity on any level.

So what, you may be asking, should those of us in this rather strange position be doing to alleviate the weirdness and fatigue? The answer occurs as soon as the question is posed: Take good care of yourselves!

There has rarely been another time when we, as light-workers, have been asked to give so much, so purely, so freely, to our race and our world. Rarely have we been so tasked to stretch ourselves, to surpass our self-imposed limitations, to rise above our illusory differences to embrace the wholeness of Who and What We Are.

The basics are easy: Get enough rest. Eat as well as you know how. Take (extra) time to contemplate, meditate, pray. Drink lots and lots of pure, clear water. Find an exercise modality that suits you, and enjoy it. Pamper yourself now and again -- you're doing big, huge work these days. You deserve to treat yourself specially for it.

It's also worthwhile to start taking exquisite care of one another. It's a good time to arrange trades for body work, for energy work. It's a wonderful time to gather in groups for tea and company, to give one another support. It's a terrible time to isolate yourself or others, to attempt to ``be strong'' and bear your burdens -- that's ``ego talk.'' Ego attempts to close down, to separate, to isolate. It's the Love that illuminates your Spirits that allows you to come together, to comfort others, and to take comfort.

We're all in this for the duration, and no one is daring to hope for a quick resolution to the problems W. Bush has posed us all with his war. Given that, the next time you see one of your brother or sister light-workers on the street or in the store, ask. Ask, ``Can I offer you any help today?'' or ``What can I do to lighten your burdens?''

Or, better yet, ``Do you have time to work on my back?'' or ``I'm feeling a little shaky just now. Can you help?'' As evolved beings, we are responsible for identifying our needs and getting them met -- how better to do so than by turning to those who are sharing our troubles?

As we reach higher and higher levels of consciousness, we are likewise given larger and broader stewardship duties and also are we more likely to be willing to assist others, and be assisted, in our efforts. The best way to overcome oppression, as any Third World native will tell you, is by coming together to endure it.

Rev. Matson is co-founder of Church of the New Renaissance, a Home for Modern Mystics. She is the author of Seven Steps to Higher Consciousness, A Modern Mystic's Meditation. Her Doctorate of Divinity was granted by the church for her work on modern mysticism. Her current work includes spiritual counseling, lifepath mentoring, and teaching classes on the many facets of mysticism.