It’s been quite a while since I got so excited about a book. Reading Unplugging the Patriarchy: A Mystical Journey into the Heart of a New Age was like receiving a concentrated jolt of awareness.

This is such a timely book with all the talk about 2012 and what may happen around that year. According to the Unplugging the Patriarchy story, we are currently moving from fear-based consciousness to heart-based consciousness. Who isn’t ready for that? This is not a story about male bashing. It is not about females being better than males. It is about each person claiming their true power for the benefit of everyone. As Rene puts it, “transformation of consciousness is a miracle.”

Unplugging the Patriarchy is part memoir, part fiction. Rene wisely lets the reader decide what is fiction and what is memoir. This means the page-turning story allows each reader to enjoy the book from their current perspective, as they expand their understanding of what is possible when individuals, society, and the planet as a whole isn’t held down by fear energy.

The storyline for the book is described like this: “Just below the surface of our modern world lurks a hidden energy structure created purposefully, during the 5,000-year Patriarchy, to limit the consciousness of each and every human being. When three women trained in the mystical arts unite to take this structure apart, they are catapulted into the corridors of power, the recesses of their own minds, and the expanding consciousness of a new age. Unplugging the Patriarchy reveals an x-ray view of the world in which we live. It is a testament to feminine power, service, and love—an unforgettable novel that will inspire you to unplug the Patriarchy within yourself.”

Aligning with divine will

According to author Lucia Rene, in today’s world power has a negative connotation because of the rampant abuse of power we’re all too familiar with. Real power is pure energy, it’s about aligning with the will of the divine. In the book, she writes that power is energy and mysticism is the study of that energy and the way it works in the world. “You don’t own power,” Rene tells me. “There’s power of stillness; power of divine; power to move out of the way.”

Of course, getting out of our own way can be the biggest life challenge of all. Worry or doubt gets in the way of my potential in the moment. Pushing things to happen gets me in the way of being in flow. Frustration and impatience with having to market my workshops and seminars over and over gets in the way of realizing that everything will unfold perfectly. That’s why this is the perfect book for me.

Dismantling the ego

The main character of this book struggles with issues of fear and ego just like the rest of us. I spoke with Rene about this. She reminded me that the ego is not bad, its job is to not let your mind feel pain. In order to dismantle the ego you can look at each layer of ego defense. The first layer might be judgment (that tries to make the issue about someone or something else). The second layer might be anger, then insecurity. Fear is usually the final layer.

“Fear is the real gift,” says Rene. In the story she applies her mystical “soldier” skills to understand what the fear vibration is, to honor it and to merge with it. Then, according to Rene, “fear becomes pure consciousness (intelligence). As you overcome fear of moving through the dark, you put things to rest.”

One thing that stood out for me about the Unplugging the Patriarchy story is that it encourages the reader to take a Big Picture perspective that helps them to release ego-based judgments about what is right and wrong, who is good and who is bad. It shows us what is possible when we view our life from the Universal Self rather than the Personal Self.

Releasing Judgment Story

As Rene says, “The trick is first being willing to catch yourself telling the ‘judgment’ story. Realize, ‘I’ve gone into reaction, let me process this.’” Secondly you can try the finger pointing process. When you find yourself pointing a finger at someone, as the main character does in the book, you can point that finger back at yourself and ask “How am I arrogant?” This diffuses the judgment story and puts you into humility. Then you can ask yourself, “What am I so afraid of?”

By engaging in this process as often as necessary, both women and men can inhabit their true power. The book refers to true power for women as the “solar feminine.” The solar feminine is embodied by “strength, passion, creativity, and action.” Under the patriarchal system the type of femininity that was acceptable was the “lunar feminine” marked by qualities of gentleness, receptivity and nurturing. All wonderful qualities just not a complete picture of true empowered femininity.

Rene says that we can take up residence now in the consciousness of Divine Feminine. You don’t have to wait until the energies of the new age locks in at the end of 2012. “It’s been available since the Winter Solstice of 2008,” states Rene.

Collaborate during the transition period and beyond

“We’re in the eye of the storm. “If you want to align with the new world look everyday at what triggers you as they the old world falls apart. Overcome your conditioning. Own your solar power (strength, passion, creativity, action). Bring your talents to the forefront. We’re shedding the old paradigm of cooperation — you give me something, I give you something, in favor of collaboration. Collaboration is about getting out of own way and let the divine feminine talk to us.” It’s a great time for transforming fears for both men and women.

At the core of this transition period is trust: trust that divine will always take care of us. Trust that we can ask “what should I do today?” and then just do that. The most important question is “how can I be of service?”

“Follow the energy of your business,” Rene recommends. “We’re being pushed into situations where we need to play it moment to moment.” That sounds like heartfelt advice. Read the book to understand more about this remarkable time we are in.

Melissa Wadsworth is an self-help author, inspirational speaker and personal growth coach specializing in intuitive dream boards.