While sitting here waiting on Sen. Clinton's speech, I thought about Shirley Chisholm and the differences and similarities between the two of them. I thought about how each of these women stood up against this patriarchal society and though neither won the nomination, their true victory was in the stand itself. Here's an excerpt from her 1970 book, "Unbought and Unbossed," (the emphases are mine). The battle for the Democratic nomination we've endured over the last year or so, shows just how prescient she was, and how relevant her words remain - even for a white woman.
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On Women
In the 91st Congress, I am a sponsor of the perennial Equal Rights Amendment, which has been before every Congress for the last forty years but has never passed the House. It would outlaw any discrimination on the basis of sex. Men and women would be completely equal before the law. But laws will not solve deep-seated problems overnight. Their use is to provide shelter for those who are most abused, and to begin an evolutionary process by compelling the insensitive majority to reexamine its unconscious attitudes.
The law cannot do the major part of the job of winning equality for women. Women must do it themselves. They must become revolutionaries. Against them is arrayed the weight of centuries of tradition, from St. Paul's "Let women learn in silence" to the American adage, "A woman's place is in the home." Women have been persuaded of their own inferiority; too many of them believe the male fiction that they are emotional, illogical, unstable, inept with mechanical things, and lack leadership ability.
The best defense against this slander is the same one blacks have found. While they were ashamed of their color, it was an albatross hanging around their necks. They freed themselves from that dead weight by picking up their blackness and holding it out proudly for all the world to see. They found their own beauty and turned their former shame into their badge of honor. Women should perceive that the negative attitudes they hold toward their own femaleness are the creation of an antifeminist society, just as the black shame at being black was the product of racism. Women should start to replace their negative ideas of the femininity with positive ones affirming their nature more and more strongly.
It is not female egotism to say that the future of mankind may very well be ours to determine. It is a fact. The warmth, gentleness, and compassion that are part of the female stereotype are positive human values, values that are becoming more and more important as the values of our world begin to shatter and fall from our grasp. The strength of Christ, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King was a strength of gentleness, understanding, and compassion, with no element of violence in it. It was, in short, a female strength, and that is the kind that often marks the highest type of man.
If we reject our restricted roles, we do not have to reject these values of femaleness. They are enduring values, and we must develop the capacity to hold them and to dispense them to those around us. We must become revolutionaries in the style of Gandhi and King. Then, working toward our own freedom, we can help the others work free from the traps of their stereotypes. In the end, antiblack, antifemale, and all forms of discrimination are equivalent to the same thing — antihumanism. The values of life must be maintained against the enemies in every guise. We can do it by confronting people with their own humanity and their own inhumanity whenever we meet them, in the streets, in school, in church, in bars, in the halls of legislatures. We must reject not only the stereotypes that others have of us but also those we have of ourselves and others.
In particular, I am certain that more and more American women must become involved in politics. It could be the salvation of our nation. If there were more women in politics, it would be possible to start cleaning it up. Women I have known in government have seemed to me to be much more apt to act for the sake of a principle or moral purpose. They are not as likely as men to engage in deals, manipulations, and sharp tactics. A larger proportion of women in Congress and every other legislative body would serve as a reminder that the real purpose of politicians is to work for the people.
The woman who gets into politics will find that the men who are already there will treat her as the high school counselor treats girls. They see her as someone who is obviously just playing at politics part-time, because, after all, her real place is at home being a wife and mother. I suggested a bright young woman as a candidate in New York City a while ago; she had unlimited potential and with good management and some breaks could become an important person to the city. A political leader rejected her. "Why invest all the time and effort to build up the gal into a household name," he asked me, "when she's pretty sure to drop out of the game to have a couple of kids at just about the time we're ready to run her for mayor?"
Many women have given their lives to political organizations, laboring anonymously in the background while men of far less ability managed and mismanaged the public trust. These women hung back because they knew the men would not give them a chance. They knew their place and stayed in it. The amount of talent that has been lost to our country that way is appalling. I think one of my major uses is as an example to the women of our country, to show them that if a woman has ability, stamina, organizational skill, and a knowledge of the issues she can win public office. And if I can do it, how much more hope should that give to white women, who have only one handicap?
11 comments:
"The warmth, gentleness, and compassion that are part of the female stereotype are positive human values, values that are becoming more and more important as the values of our world begin to shatter and fall from our grasp."
Indeed Shirley is right. These are the values of Love, a commodity that is sorely lacking in our world, but things are a-changing.
A woman I admire greatly had this to say, and I paraphrase: there's reason to believe that God is more feminine than masculine since He is often seen as Love and Creator, characteristics often associated with women, and motherhood.
That being said, masculine Wisdom and feminine Love (God's nature) when united within the soul, enlarge our capacity to reflect the divine, regardless of sex.
"The amount of talent that has been lost to our country that way is appalling."
Not only to politics, but all human endeavors, and not just to "our country", but the entire world.
"A larger proportion of women in Congress and every other legislative body would serve as a reminder that the real purpose of politicians is to work for the people."
The interest of the people has for too long been subordinated to the interest of the few--namely PACs and Special Interests.
How telling is George Bush's silence at a time the nation hovers over the chasm of a deep recession?
Take heart: our world is changing, perhaps not fast enough for some, but at a pace that leaves my mouth agape.
Senator Clinton almost capturing the presidential nomination of a major U.S. political party is reassuring, and augurs well for the historicity of it, and heralds a shift in the collective consciousness of our nation and the world.
"Women should start to replace their negative ideas of the femininity with positive ones affirming their nature more and more strongly."
I agree. The ideals of womanhood are as compelling as those of manhood, and women should embrace them unabashedly, and not attempt to pursue power and social and economic standing by "out man-ing" the man.
It's not necessary that women, nor men, become that which they're not, but seek to uplift the exemplary values inherent in both sexes and blend them within one soul.
"The strength of Christ, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King was a strength of gentleness, understanding, and compassion, with no element of violence in it. It was, in short, a female strength, and that is the kind that often marks the highest type of man."
And look what they achieved with their lives because of these so-called feminine values.
They are Godly values, one and all, and not exclusive to one sex, and have been used to move human evolution along--despite the stubborn resistance of ego, tradition, and gross stupidity.
The work of Love is not over. The world needs more Shirley Chisholms, Ghandis and Kings.
Another Jesus or two wouldn't hurt either.
the first domino: Hey! How are you?
"These are the values of Love, a commodity that is sorely lacking in our world, but things are a-changing."
Glass-half-empty girl that I am (loss of eternal optimism sometimes happens to the best of us as life happens), I have to ask, how are things a-changing in that regard?
"A woman I admire greatly had this to say, and I paraphrase: there's reason to believe that God is more feminine than masculine since He is often seen as Love and Creator, characteristics often associated with women, and motherhood."
I agree with your "admired woman" though in society and organized religion, a patriarchal view of God is more often than not ascribed.
"That being said, masculine Wisdom and feminine Love (God's nature) when united within the soul, enlarge our capacity to reflect the divine, regardless of sex."
What exactly is "masculine wisdom?"
"A larger proportion of women in Congress and every other legislative body would serve as a reminder that the real purpose of politicians is to work for the people."
While I agree with Shirley on this one, there is a caveat: that larger proportion of women in Congress must be women who think and work as she did. If they're not, we end up with what I see more often than not, Women Behaving as Badly, or Worse than the Men Behaving Badly - resulting in, as you say, the continued subordination of the people's interests in favor of the interests of a few who are always ready and waiting to profit.
"Take heart: our world is changing, perhaps not fast enough for some, but at a pace that leaves my mouth agape...Senator Clinton almost capturing the presidential nomination of a major U.S. political party is reassuring, and augurs well for the historicity of it, and heralds a shift in the collective consciousness of our nation and the world."
Yes, it is changing but I'm selfishly impatient after 52 years. Not sure whether Sen. Clinton's undeniably ardent participation heralds a real shift in the collective consciousness of our nation or a more easily defined widening of the chasm - too many variables to determine right now.
"I agree. The ideals of womanhood are as compelling as those of manhood, and women should embrace them unabashedly, and not attempt to pursue power and social and economic standing by "out man-ing" the man...It's not necessary that women, nor men, become that which they're not, but seek to uplift the exemplary values inherent in both sexes and blend them within one soul."
Now on this, we are in TOTAL agreement! I think from day one, Sen. Clinton's attempts to "out-man the men" were a large part of her undoing. There is a "gentle" blend that women can and should strive to achieve but, to be sure, it is difficult, particularly in the patriarchy that is America.
"It was, in short, a female strength, and that is the kind that often marks the highest type of man."
To this, I can attest. My prior history with men, however, often still continues to cloud my full acceptance and understanding of this fact. I may never fully "get it," but as I try to move forward, some knowledge of it gives me hope!
"The work of Love is not over. The world needs more Shirley Chisholms, Ghandis and Kings. Another Jesus or two wouldn't hurt either."
Agreed, on all counts! I think of how the "polytheism," practiced by Africans (and many in Eastern religions) brought to this country, was beaten out of them in favor of Western monotheism in the interest of "oneness of country and belonging." It is sad that their fear, their inability to understand that the "many gods" simply represented various functions of One Supreme Divinity, effectively disoriented an entire race of people for whom "another Jesus or two wouldn't hurt.
Great talking to you again.
Deb, I'm well. Thanks for asking.
You asked: "I have to ask, how are things a-changing in that regard?"
Because we're focused so much on our negative experiences we don't see the good occurring all around us. Because they're focused on criminals and see the damaging outcomes of criminality, police officers oftentimes fall victim to this kind of thinking.
We have seen an incredible outpouring of support for those who have suffered tragedies of all kind. Your going to New Orleans, along with others, is a personal statement that "compassion" can speak as loud as gross indifference.
We have seen both national and personal efforts on behalf of victims of Myanmar, and earthquakes in China. An American in China, there for another reason, garnered these headlines:
Neither landslides
nor Chinese troops
stop this volunteer
Now, if you wish, I can draw up a list of those who're making incredible sacrifices to benefit humanity, expressing "warmth, gentleness, and compassion." Here are two that come to mind: ONE: The Campaign To Make Poverty History and TED An African Einstein.
What we're seeing here is a physical manifestation of a spiritual energy that's stirring at the nonphysical level--an energy universal in scope and reach.
You asked: "What exactly is "masculine wisdom?"
To answer that question, I'll have to use a lot of your space here, and then the answer will be incomplete. But since you asked....
In the realm of relativity Love is prismatic; that is, it becomes a divided representation of itself. This division, in reality, doesn't exist. Love is All There Is.
If you really think about it from the soul level, you'll realize that Love is the highest ideal, and can have no beginning and no end, and is undivided..
If you see Love from a human perspective and merely as a human attribute, it will appear fickle, imperfect, and conditional.
If we were to divide God so that we may explain or understand Him, we would see Him as both Love and Wisdom.
From a human perspective Wisdom is seen as a masculine trait (We see a hoary sage as a symbol of that attribute.)
And Love is usually associated with femininity (and is usually symbolized as a mother doting over her new born).
Now, one's individual experience can twist these benign images: men seen in their less that ideal state will appear brutish, and hard--anything but wise.
And women (those not living up to the highest ideals of womanhood) will not resemble their true nature--as warm, comforting, nurturing, and protective.
No one should let their less than perfect experiences go to waste, however. They should use them.
That is what this Life is all about and why we came. We should see moments that tax our patience, for example, as an opportunity to experience the wonderful, unspeakable patient self that we are.
We should use hurtful experiences to enhance our experience of the awesome, forgiving self that we are. And so on.
We don't have to, of course. Nobody's going to make us. Many choose not to, and in this they lessen the experiences that they came here to experience in the first place.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is a wonderful example of someone who used his experience to enhance his experience. No matter what anyone may think of him, he used his life to change oppressive conditions for his people, and he did it without allowing his many years spent behind bars to dissuade him or embitter him.
Deb, the world is more perfect than you know. It's perfect in it's imperfections.
This perfection has been stated this way: "In the Absence of What Is Not, What Is, Is Not."
God is neither masculine nor feminine. God is not Wisdom and Love. He/She is Love and that alone. Love is always Wise. And Wisdom is always Love.
But here in the realm of relativity Love is seen as comprised of many attributes: kindness, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, peace, contentment, joy, happiness--to name a few.
Actually, Love has only one attribute, if we may call it that, and that is Love alone.
Therefore, we think of God as masculine Wisdom and feminine Love. And if you were to see your soul it would appear more masculine than feminine, but that is because it is so powerful. Notwithstanding, its femininity is unmistakable.
You said: "Clinton's undeniably ardent participation heralds a real shift in the collective consciousness of our nation or a more easily defined widening of the chasm..."
You're seeing it from a "half-empty glass" perspective again. Even Senator Clinton admits that the "glass ceiling" has 18 million cracks in it. That's the part you need to focus on--people's readiness and willingness to do what just a decade or two ago would have been the stuff of fiction. This represents a shift in the collective consciousness.
We will see other shifts as time passes.
You said: "I agree with your "admired woman" though in society and organized religion, a patriarchal view of God is more often than not ascribed."
Not everyone in this society hold that view, and not all organized religions. If you'd like a list of those that do not, I think I can find one for you.
You said: "There is a "gentle" blend that women can and should strive to achieve but, to be sure, it is difficult, particularly in the patriarchy that is America."
As I alluded to earlier, there are many in our midst who are embodying this "gentle blending," both male and female without regard to what you describe as "patriarchal." It matters not to them. It does not limit their perspective, their opportunities, nor their level of success.
You said: "I may never fully 'get it,' but as I try to move forward, some knowledge of it gives me hope!"
I urge you to use that experience to decide and experience Who You Really Are, and Who You Wish to Be. Nothing should be cast aside. And in a larger sense, nothing is, as all experiences serve us.
You said: "...their inability to understand that the "many gods" simply represented various functions of One Supreme Divinity...."
Interesting perspective. I like it.
You may not agree with all that I say here, and that is okay, as it will lead you to your own truth which is, for you, infallible and indisputable.
I ask forgiveness in advance for my long-winded explanation, and will try, in the future, to keep my responses terse. But I can't promise you....
Namaste
the first domino...Glad you're well (I'll always ask!)
"Because we're focused so much on our negative experiences we don't see the good occurring all around us."
I can definitely understand and agree with this point of view, particularly the police analogy - given everytime a cop gets shot here in S. Florida, you better know that when the suspect is caught, there would be no surrender, rather a playing out of the damaging outcome of perceived criminality.
"We have seen an incredible outpouring of support for those who have suffered tragedies of all kind."
While my and others going to NOLA represent a personal statement that "compassion" can speak as loud as gross indifference, I think the louder roar is the fact that, in a country where such wealth, is so often, "in your face," gross indifference is merely accepted rather than vociferously condemned as people drown, die, starve, lose their homes, seek solace in various and sundry addictions - then are left with no treatment to die, or start the circle all over again. I'm just sayin'.
"We have seen both national and personal efforts on behalf of victims of Myanmar, and earthquakes in China."
As admirable, necessary and meaningful as I find this, there are people in THIS country who still have no place to call home in NOLA, who cannot afford to come home because the greedy have doubled the rents. There are still people in 2008 Appalachia with no public water and sewer systems, children all over this country still going to school in less than substandard edifices - more than 30 to a classroom, illegal immigrants dying while harvesting goods to benefit an economy that devalues their very existence...and the beat goes on.
"Now, if you wish, I can draw up a list of those who're making incredible sacrifices to benefit humanity, expressing "warmth, gentleness, and compassion." Here are two that come to mind: ONE: The Campaign To Make Poverty History and TED An African Einstein."
I guarantee you I can draw up a list at least as impressive as yours but that's not the point. Though I'm absolutely in love with "TED," - what an amazing, incredibly inspiring and energizing video (thank you for that!, tellme why can't we, a nation of exceedingly self-professed wealth, do THAT HERE??? I'll do an Obama and answer my own question. Because the 1% who greedily, hold onto their wealth see no reason to do so here other than as a tax deduction. Come on!!! I count you as a person with whom I can be honest and get some real honesty. I believe in the global and universality of love and compassion, but how hypocritical is our effort if those in our own backyard are suffering?
"To answer that question, I'll have to use a lot of your space here, and then the answer will be incomplete. But since you asked....
Use all the space you need - it's my blog. I'm open to contrasting as well as comparative views. Besides, you are one of two people who read me and choose to comment here! :-)
"...Love is All There Is....If you really think about it from the soul level, you'll realize that Love is the highest ideal, and can have no beginning and no end, and is undivided...If you see Love from a human perspective and merely as a human attribute, it will appear fickle, imperfect, and conditional.
the first domino, while intellectually, I truly get that evolved consciousness, I am admittedly not yet as evolved as you apparently are. I am still on a human level and have not yet progressed to the point at which "human love" is not important. And on that human level, I see "Wisdom" as neither a masculine nor feminine trait, but an evolved (though not as evolved as you) human, all-encompassing, respectful, accepting human trait. I think we all bring something important to the table as long as it is open, productive, not abusive, overbearing, mocking and condescending.
"Now, one's individual experience can twist these benign images: men seen in their less that ideal state will appear brutish, and hard--anything but wise...And women (those not living up to the highest ideals of womanhood) will not resemble their true nature--as warm, comforting, nurturing, and protective."
Can't men, in their ideal state, be both hard AND warm, comforting, nurturing and protective when necessary? Same for women - without taking on the appearance of "outmanning" the man?
No one should let their less than perfect experiences go to waste, however. They should use them.
"That is what this Life is all about and why we came. We should see moments that tax our patience, for example, as an opportunity to experience the wonderful, unspeakable patient self that we are."
Agreed, but that is a difficult, tough obviously not insurmountable goal. Isn't that why preachers say we should never pray for patience?
"We should use hurtful experiences to enhance our experience of the awesome, forgiving self that we are. And so on...We don't have to, of course. Nobody's going to make us. Many choose not to, and in this they lessen the experiences that they came here to experience in the first place.
Okay,agreed, but some of us are still working on that.
"Deb, the world is more perfect than you know. It's perfect in it's imperfections...This perfection has been stated this way: "In the Absence of What Is Not, What Is, Is Not."
You have no idea how much reaching that plane is an ultimate goal, but as humans, many of us struggle in our own way and at our own pace to achieve it.
"God is neither masculine nor feminine. God is not Wisdom and Love. He/She is Love and that alone. Love is always Wise. And Wisdom is always Love...But here in the realm of relativity Love is seen as comprised of many attributes: kindness, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, peace, contentment, joy, happiness--to name a few...Actually, Love has only one attribute, if we may call it that, and that is Love alone...Therefore, we think of God as masculine Wisdom and feminine Love. And if you were to see your soul it would appear more masculine than feminine, but that is because it is so powerful. Notwithstanding, its femininity is unmistakable.
You know, I live where some see this as all "tree-hugger" logic, but in my search to be the best me I can be, I get it - relativley. Oddly, though I've not evolved to this place in which you inhabit, I do see my soul exactly as you described - more masculine than feminine, notwithstanding its unmistakable femininity, I see it powerful. That you see it without knowing me tells me I'm on the right track in my becoming.
"You're seeing it from a "half-empty glass" perspective again. Even Senator Clinton admits that the "glass ceiling" has 18 million cracks in it. That's the part you need to focus on--people's readiness and willingness to do what just a decade or two ago would have been the stuff of fiction. This represents a shift in the collective consciousness.
On this, I will concede. I never denied my "glass half empty" thinking but rather, admit it along with my willingness, no, wanton desire to change it.
"You said: "I agree with your "admired woman" though in society and organized religion, a patriarchal view of God is more often than not ascribed."...Not everyone in this society hold that view, and not all organized religions. If you'd like a list of those that do not, I think I can find one for you."
Deal.
"As I alluded to earlier, there are many in our midst who are embodying this "gentle blending," both male and female without regard to what you describe as "patriarchal." It matters not to them. It does not limit their perspective, their opportunities, nor their level of success."
Would really like to meet them. It'd make my prior efforts to wait until the storms pass, way less important than learning how to dance in the rain.
"I urge you to use that experience to decide and experience Who You Really Are, and Who You Wish to Be. Nothing should be cast aside. And in a larger sense, nothing is, as all experiences serve us.
I am doing just that, making some life-changing decisions after years of accepting what's safe. Difficult and painful at times, but so damn fulfilling as I discover kernel after kernel of me.
"You said: "...their inability to understand that the "many gods" simply represented various functions of One Supreme Divinity...."... Interesting perspective. I like it."
Me too. Learning more about it everyday. I have a friend living in Cologne, Germany whose spent the last 15 years of his life studying the slave trade from a global perspective to include its deleterious effects on a people displaced and so psychologically twisted into beings far and away from where they've come as to become unrecognizable, particularly in the U.S. - aside from interesting, so very, very enlightening for me.
"You may not agree with all that I say here, and that is okay, as it will lead you to your own truth which is, for you, infallible and indisputable.
I don't necessarily disagree with all you've said, I just take it and compare/contrast it all to my own opinons and beliefs. Living solely in one's own head is a dangerous, dare I say, psychologically emergent state from which I prefer not to see the world. I'm just trying, in my "sunset" years, to appreciate, learn from and put to better use the knowledge I gather so as to wholly embrace, experience and most of all, ENJOY, all that I've farted away in my youth! :-)
"I ask forgiveness in advance for my long-winded explanation, and will try, in the future, to keep my responses terse. But I can't promise you...."
I afford no forgiveness because the request for same is totally unneccesary. Terseness is not a postive energy - at all. Don't indulge in it (though I at times do, but then again, I'm not as evolved as you are!). As for promises...I don't make those. Especially if they are neither warranted, nor ones can I keep.
I appreciate the discourse the first domino - really I do.
Namaste
Welcome back. I'm glad to know that all is well with you.
You said: "...gross indifference is merely accepted rather than vociferously condemned as people drown [et cetera]...."
I hear you on this. There's much in our world that would give the lie to my previous assertion.
But do I believe that the collective consciousness is shifting to a degree that will make all this one day passé?
The answer is, yes. Evidence for it is popping up everywhere. Certainly not enough at this time to make everyone stop and take notice.
Do I believe that I can convince everyone that that is so, given the physical evidence to the contrary? The answer, again, is no.
Yet, I believe that God makes no mistakes. Our outcome is assured, and It's All Good.
Do I believe that we've seen the worse of it? No. As this New Age dawn, things are accelerating.
Can't you feel it?
It's almost as though there's a cosmic reason for quickening the pace. I suspect that it's necessary so that we may continue to experience life here as we always have.
We have entered a New Age,
A new Way.
A new Wind shall blow our way
Until the Day we die.
You said: "...there are people in THIS country who still have no place to call home...."
Granted, there's much that can be done that hasn't been done and, to your credit, you have sought to make a difference where indifference now exists.
Again, I'm not saying that humankind has evolved to the point where these kind of things are actively dealt with.
I'm saying that contrary to appearances there are hopeful and salutary signs that change is afoot.
I think we'd all like to see it occur tomorrow. But as you've pointed out, there's resistance from the "1% who greedily, hold onto their wealth see no reason to do so here other than as a tax deduction...."
Yet, there's more going on than just this, though. We all contribute to this phenomenon by believing, "There's Not Enough."
There's not enough love, not enough patience, not enough tolerance, not enough kindness, not enough of all the things we believe we need to make us happy and fulfilled.
And certainly one of them is not enough of life's material goods to satisfy, and meet our immediate needs.
Now don't for a second think that I'm making light of NOLA's horrible predicament. I'm not. Nor am I making light of the economic state of the others you identified.
I'm not indifferent to human suffering, nor do I believe that there's nothing that can be done about it.
My point is: we're all responsible for what we see as deficiencies in our individual and collective character. Because we don't see how we're responsible, doesn't make us less responsible.
You said: "I am still on a human level and have not yet progressed to the point at which "human love" is not important. And on that human level, I see "Wisdom" as neither a masculine nor feminine trait, but an evolved (though not as evolved as you) human, all-encompassing, respectful, accepting human trait.
I didn't mean to give the impression that somehow human love or wisdom is "less than." All love and all wisdom, regardless of the source, is preferable to indifference and cloddishness, and is important.
Yet, human love and wisdom will, as all things in this world, fall prey to the vicissitudes of our human existence. It's how things work here. It neither good nor bad, it's just what is.
Nevertheless, God as Love and Wisdom, is infallible and unimpeachable, and as we seek Her Love and Wisdom our lives and our world begin to harmonize itself alone lines of perfection, rather than imperfection.
But the imperfections, as so perceived, are not without their uses.
You said: "I think we all bring something important to the table as long as it is open, productive, not abusive, overbearing, mocking and condescending."
If I said something that gave the impression that human existence is somehow inferior, or that some voices or thoughts are better than others, let me say emphatically, that that was not my intention.
We're all important. All our voices and thoughts are important. Our human existence serves us immeasurably--the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Surely you should perceive "Love and Wisdom" any way that you choose.
That's the beauty of it--you get to choose--to create your reality anyway you wish.
What is Truth? It's what you say it is. Not what another may say it is. But "your own truth which is, for you, infallible and indisputable."
In Birches, Robert Frost puts it this way:
"I'd like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return. Earth's the right place for love:
I don't know where it's likely to go better."
Earth is indeed the "right place for love [human love]"; there's no place "where it's likely to go better."
You said: "And on that human level, I see "Wisdom" as neither a masculine nor feminine trait...."
And you're right! And I offered the following as a follow up to the common perception of many: "Actually, Love has only one attribute, if we may call it that, and that is Love alone."
You asked: "Can't men, in their ideal state, be both hard AND warm, comforting, nurturing and protective when necessary? Same for women - without taking on the appearance of "outmanning" the man?"
In the world, we get to call all the shots. We determine what is the "ideal" man or the "ideal" woman, and it can encompass any attributes that we wish, as there is not an intrinsically "ideal" state for man or woman.
If there were that "ideal," it would be obvious, and it would be a constant for all time.
Since that's not the case, we can assign whatever ideal we choose--hardness and warmth are not necessarily contradictory states, and neither is nurturing and discipline, nor comforting and strictness.
And neither for that matter are the two biggies, Love and Fear.
Here's where I think we'll disagree, unless we don't: I see nothing wrong with humankind. It's exceptionally perfect in all it's undertakings, and it's outcomes. It is amazingly good at what it does.
We're all incredible "creation machines." Every thought we think, every word we speak, and every act we carry out is superbly creative.
The task that I have assigned myself is not to change people (because there's nothing wrong with them), but to help them "re-member," to "re-mind" them of who and what they are, not as someone who "gets it"--because we all get it--but as someone who cannot be fully awake until we're all fully awake.
And I'm not zealous in this endeavor, as it is not something that's so imperative that it calls for that level of devotion. As I've stated before the outcome is already assured.
It's just that I'd like to see the creation of something other than that which is now bringing us all this pain and misery--those creations which no longer serve us. These things don't have to be. We can choose again.
If I have presented myself as someone who's more evolved than another, then I have failed. That's simply not the case. There's no difference between us. We Are All One.
If have presented myself as someone who has all the answers, then I have failed.
That's simply not the case. You have all the answers. We have all the answers. We Are All One.
You asked: "Isn't that why preachers say we should never pray for patience?"
Pray for patience, sure, if that is what you choose to experience. Or simply choose to be "patient." It's not outside of your nature.
Here's what I had hoped to say: Without that which would allows us to be patient, we cannot experience it.
In other words, without a person, thing, or situation to tax our patience, we can't choose to experience patience. (Patience is a natural state, but it has to be chosen.)
Unless a person, thing, or situation show up that tax our forgiveness, we can't choose to experience forgiveness. (Forgiveness is a natural state, but it has to be chosen.) And so on.
You said: "You have no idea how much reaching that plane is an ultimate goal, but as humans, many of us struggle in our own way and at our own pace to achieve it."
Yes, we do. And that's okay. There's no rush, unless you choose to. It's all about choice.
You said: "You know, I live where some see this as all "tree-hugger" logic...."
I know. And I'm constantly reminding myself that that is okay.
What I say here is not going to resonate with all.
Is it because what I say is somehow above and beyond the ken of others? No, decidedly not. We know more than we admit, and that's okay, too.
We came here to forget. And that's why I reach out to those who are now wishing to remember, to awake from the dream (the illusion) of not knowing, but have no one to shake their shoulders, and call their name.
Lest I be misunderstood, there's nothing wrong with "sleeping."
There's nothing wrong with forgetting. There's everything right with it.
If I sound at times like someone who's contradictory, well, that's the way things are in this world where one thing is understood in relationship to something else, and that's only half the story.
I said, and you reminded me:
Not everyone in this society hold that view [patriarchy], and not all organized religions. If you'd like a list of those that do not, I think I can find one for you.
"Deal".
And you reminded me:
"As I alluded to earlier, there are many in our midst who are embodying this "gentle blending," both male and female without regard to what you describe as "patriarchal." It matters not to them. It does not limit their perspective, their opportunities, nor their level of success."
Would really like to meet them.
Try the following religious organizations:
Unity Church, Religious Science, Divine Science, and Christian Science.
There are other groups that aren't mainstream religious groups. Try the following:
the ReCreation Foundation, and the Beloved Community.
As with all things in the world of duality, these groups all have their measure of criticism, and detractors.
Please know that I'm not here to make you wrong. What would be the point of that? I honor your beliefs, your opinions, and your truths.
You said: "I'm just trying, in my "sunset" years, to appreciate, learn from and put to better use the knowledge I gather so as to wholly embrace, experience and most of all, ENJOY...."
It appears that you're moving through life with amazing grace and acceptance.
Yet, know: We tend to attract to us that which will further the experience we seek. Nothing happens by accident, and nothing is here without our permission.
Namaste
the first domino...Hey.
"Yet, I believe that God makes no mistakes. Our outcome is assured, and It's All Good.
Faith is, at times elusive, but nevertheless, a wonderful thing.
"As this New Age dawn, things are accelerating...Can't you feel it?
Have to say I do feel the acceleration of the worst of it, but not the purging of same.
I suspect that it's necessary so that we may continue to experience life here as we always have.
Can't say that I understand that to be a good thing. "Life here as we always have" hasn't been that great for a lot of us.
"I'm saying that contrary to appearances there are hopeful and salutary signs that change is afoot."
Depends on the lens through which each of us views the world, to be sure.
"I think we'd all like to see it occur tomorrow."
More like yesterday for me.
"We all contribute to this phenomenon by believing, "There's Not Enough."...There's not enough love, not enough patience, not enough tolerance, not enough kindness, not enough of all the things we believe we need to make us happy and fulfilled...And certainly one of them is not enough of life's material goods to satisfy, and meet our immediate needs."
Yep, I'm right there with those who believe there's not enough love, patience, tolerance and kindness in this world - not necessarily to "MAKE US" happy and fulfilled, but to assure that this world we share is one where the value of any of us is considered important to the whole of us. I do, however, draw the line at "not enough of life's material goods to satisfy and meet our immediate needs." I think that is one of our MAIN problems, especially considering the fact that after having left countless casualties strewn about, he who dies with the most "toys" still dies .
...we're all responsible for what we see as deficiencies in our individual and collective character. Because we don't see how we're responsible, doesn't make us less responsible.
On this we are in complete agreement.
"It's how things work here. It neither good nor bad, it's just what is."
That it is - unfotunately. What's worse than that is the wholesale acceptance of "what is." I remember a while back, when I worked in the automation & procedures department of an insurance company, we got a new director. During the "meet the new boss" confab, after each of us had given our "this is what we do" spiel regarding our respective offices, he had a lot of "why" questions. I remember the exasperation in New Guy's voice every time our supervisor (who'd been with the company for over 30 years) constantly answered, "Well that's the way we've always done it" (kind of like, "It's how things work here"). Finally, New Guy said, "Just because that's the way it's always been done, doesn't mean that's the way it's always got to be done. Does anybody have any suggestions?" I knew right then I was going to like New Guy! I never forgot what he said and I try to live with that statement in mind. It CAN be different, it doesn't always have to be "what is."
the first domino, you've not said anything to suggest the inferiority of human existence, nor have you have presented yourself as someone "who's more evolved than another" (that was my word, and in using it my intent was simply to note that there's a "difference between us" in having reached various levels of understanding), nor have you presented yourself as someone who has all the answers - just as someone who resides in a place of understanding not yet inhabited by me.
I agree, as you've said, "choice" is and should always be the constant. However, "choosing again" is not always quite as easy - for me - as you make it sound.
"Here's where I think we'll disagree, unless we don't: I see nothing wrong with humankind. It's exceptionally perfect in all it's undertakings, and it's outcomes. It is amazingly good at what it does.
You're right, we disagree. As amazingly creative as we CAN be, I find some of what we create not only unamazing, but deceitful, hurtful often self-centered and uncaring.
I understand that we cannot enjoy the positive side of these contradictions without experiencing the negative, it's just a difficult and yes even a fearful endeavor. "Sleeping", forgetting, is sometimes a lot easier - less painful. Doesn't move you forward, but it sure feels good at the time. But feel free to "shake my shoulders and call my name" anytime.
Appreciate the list of religious organizations, when I get over my current aversion to the whole church thing, I may check some of them out.
If I gave you the impression that I thought you were trying to make me wrong, it was not my intent. I was just asking questions, seeking out other points of view other than those I hold.
"I honor your beliefs, your opinions, and your truths.
As I do yours.
"It appears that you're moving through life with amazing grace and acceptance.
Thanks but trust me, it ain't always as graceful as it is accepting! :-) Anybody who knows me and reads your comment would ask, "Who in the hell is he talking about? Certainly not Deb!"
"Yet, know: We tend to attract to us that which will further the experience we seek. Nothing happens by accident, and nothing is here without our permission.
There is some part of me that believes this, though my life has not seemed to bear it out. The experience I seek is far and away from the one I am experiencing. Guess I'm just having difficulty "choosing again."
@Deb:Can't say that I understand that to be a good thing. "Life here as we always have" hasn't been that great for a lot of us.
Deb, I sense a frustration that reaches down to the core of your being. I hope I haven't mis-represented your actual feelings, but it seems to pervade your writings.
@Deb: But feel free to "shake my shoulders and call my name" anytime.
Thanks for permission. I will do just that using an analogy if I might: I see us as residing on a mountaintop, you on yours, and I on mine.
From where I stand on my mountaintop I can see the lush valley below, blankets of vegetation sprinkled with flowers of such extraordinary beauty that their colors appear to be so many precious gems.
And I call out to you from across the distance that separates us, and I tell you about all the beauty I see, but from where you stand, on your mountaintop, all you see is a desolate, arid stretch of sand dunes and parched earth.
Is my view any better than yours? Not necessarily. It is what it is. Life is governed by certain rules. These rules are implacable, and inviolate.
Not knowing the rules, as in human law, is no excuse--we're still subject to them.
One of those rules is -- "thoughts are creative". And another -- "fear attracts the thing that's feared."
Some of our harshest experiences are born in this crucible.
So too some of our more delightful experiences when fear is replaced with love.
"Love attracts the thing that's loved."
I say this in kindness and great fondness, and not to rebuke, believe me.
All my need to hurt and criticize is not what it might have been years ago when I was more intent on protecting my ego, than in being understood.
Our challenges in this life are as varied as the personalities that live them.
I have seen the amazing courage, dignity, and grace with which others meet their adversities and overcome them.
I read a blog entry today: it was by a woman who wrote about her memory of her father--a kind of Father's Day tribute.
It's a long entry, and I read every word. Now you'd think that she'd have nothing but glowing things to say about her father, but it wasn't that kind of tribute.
Down below I will leave you a link to her blog page.
Her life with him was at times both painful and wonderful, both alarming and filled with love and pride.
Okay, here that blog entry I promised: An Empty Sunday (Father's Day).
Our soul comes to each lifetime seeking certain experiences of itself. It doesn't attempt to direct the outcomes of our lives, but simply provide the opportunities to see what we will make of them.
And we can make of them what we will, and that is a good thing, whether we screw them up, or use our lives to feed the poor or discover a cure for cancer.
No life lived is wasted--we all contribute to the universal good.
You said: "The experience I seek is far and away from the one I am experiencing. Guess I'm just having difficulty "choosing again."
And I'll say don't confuse doing with being. Our experiences grow out of what we're being, not what we're doing.
Your soul is more concerned with what you're being, and only secondarily with what you're doing.
It's more concerned with what you're being while you're doing a thing--but the focus for the soul is always on the being.
You said: "It CAN be different, it doesn't always have to be 'what is.'"
What is remains just that (those are rules by which we live [thoughts are creative]), but the other is perceptively and wisely stated--"It CAN be different, it doesn't always have be "what is."
This is where choice comes in, and the choosing again.
We all have the God-given capacity to do so. There's nothing hindering us, but the previous choices we've made.
And there's no choice that can't be changed when it is our desire to move forward, to re-create ourselves anew.
You see, it was our capacity to make choices in the first place that brought us to the place where we now find ourselves.
You said: "...when I get over my current aversion to the whole church thing, I may check some of them out."
You'd be surprised (perhaps not) how many I have met in the blogosphere who are disaffected ex-members of the church.
Many organized religions have, because of their focus on retaining control over their flock rather setting it free to find the shepherd within, have caused severe harm to those it says it wishes to save.
I say that you're saved, and where does that leave the church?
I say that you're enlightened, and where does that leave folks like me, gurus, and other holy men and women on this planet?
I say that you're the apple of God's eye, where does that leave the fear of eternal punishment and God's condemnation?
I say that you possess within you all that you think you need outside of you, to survive, grow, and evolve.
I say that you're already at the pinnacle of your grandness and grandeur, and where does leave survival, growth and evolution?
I say choose, claim. Choose, claim your salvation. You've never been lost.
I say choose, claim your enlightenment, you've never been benighted.
I say choose, claim your grandeur, and your grandness, you've never been less than the wonderful daughter of a doting Father-Mother that cannot say No to His/Her greatest creation--You.
Up to now, you haven't claimed these things. Don't let another day pass without you doing so.
Why put off inevitability?
Because you may not have seen yourself in this light before is no reason not see yourself in that light now.
The process is simplicity itself:
claim, choose; claim, choose; claim, choose.
Namaste
the first domino...
"Deb, I sense a frustration that reaches down to the core of your being. I hope I haven't mis-represented your actual feelings, but it seems to pervade your writings.
No, you would be right about the deep frustration. And how could it not pervade my writings as they are an expression of me? However, the mounaintop analogy is a little off. It may appear that my view from my mountaintop is solely desolate, but it really isn't - not solely anyway. I do see the lushness you describe in your view but it is across the arid desolation of parched earth that sits between me and it. :-) Again, from where I sit, it is NOT always what it is. There's also a middle ground, a becoming.
"One of those rules is -- "thoughts are creative". And another -- "fear attracts the thing that's feared."
It could just be that I have a slight problem with authority, but who gets to decide these rules? I believe thoughts can and often are creative, but when the thoughts of one detrimentally affect the lives of another, I, for one, cease to see the positive creativity in that. Granted the other has the "choice" of how they will be affected, but what if they've not yet gotten to that understanding? Too bad, so sad that the "creative" one has and he hasn't? Unless of course I don't understand what you mean by "thoughts are creative" and that's quite possible.
On the other hand however, I agree with the second part of your statement wholeheartedly. For example, in terms of male-female relationships, I see it as "same man different pants." Unless and until people deal internally with those fears of abandonment, insecurity, feeling unloved, etc., etc., the experience repeats itself over and over and over - ad nauseam. Am I on the right track here? Is this anything like what you are trying to convey?
"So too some of our more delightful experiences when fear is replaced with love.
Now this I really get! My NOLA experiences bear it out.
"I say this in kindness and great fondness, and not to rebuke, believe me...All my need to hurt and criticize is not what it might have been years ago when I was more intent on protecting my ego, than in being understood.
I believe you. I've never taken your comments as a rebuke of any kind - just a difference of opinion borne out of not sharing the same level of understanding. Not sure if the "protecting my ego" part was about you or me though. :-) Just in case - I assure you, ego is hardly my problem. In the case of what many percieve to be ego on my part, I will have to say, "It is what it is" mainly because it hasn't always been. Slowly but surely I continue to move toward an acceptance of the me I am now - and I like it! Sure there's still much work to be done (in my own assessment) but I see change that I never thought was possible.
I read "An Empty Sunday (Father's Day)," - a great post! With some exceptions, it could have been written by me! It was been 27 years this February that my father died of cirrhosis of the liver, four months before I delivered my oldest son whom he never met and whose bears his name. (Now that I think about it that number 27 has all kinds of significance for me today!). Alcoholic that he was, flawed as he was, I KNEW and accepted his love for me and I miss him (long, long story - maybe another time).
"It's more concerned with what you're being while you're doing a thing--but the focus for the soul is always on the being.
This! This is interesting and something I have to chew on. Can we kick this around at some later date after I've digested it to my own understanding?
"And there's no choice that can't be changed when it is our desire to move forward, to re-create ourselves anew."
Truly, I'm with you here. In my younger days, the military afforded me the physical ease to do just that. Permanent change of stations (PCS) was like a yard sale for me - keep what you need, get rid of what you don't! But in the last few years, something changed, something happened and I got stuck. Anyway, another long story for another time.
"You'd be surprised (perhaps not) how many I have met in the blogosphere who are disaffected ex-members of the church...Many organized religions have, because of their focus on retaining control over their flock rather setting it free to find the shepherd within, have caused severe harm to those it says it wishes to save.
Nope, not surprised at all. See! That control/rules/authority thing is really not good! :-)
"Up to now, you haven't claimed these things. Don't let another day pass without you doing so.
Again, Oh Sage (not being facetious here really), you are at least partially right! I'm working on it, really I am.
"The process is simplicity itself: claim, choose; claim, choose; claim, choose.
Funny, I went to sleep last night after replying to your "choose again" comment above with those two words in my head. I woke up to them as well. That you're here again with them confirms, "Nothing happens by accident."
Come back, shake my shoulders and call my name anytime.
Namaste
You asked: "It could just be that I have a slight problem with authority, but who gets to decide these rules?"
You do. You did. You are a law unto yourself. The rules are a reflection of you.
Just as your "deep frustration" is reflected in your writings, similarly who you are is reflected in your life.
I said once that you're a "creation machine," and so you are.
Remember, you are the "image and likeness of God." God's greatest attribute is that he is Creator.
I'm afraid that that is your greatest attribute as well--you create. We create.
How do we do it? Mainly with our thoughts, but also with our words, and lastly with our actions which are given life by way of our thoughts and words.
"Let there be light and there was light."
You said: "I believe thoughts can and often are creative, but when the thoughts of one detrimentally affect the lives of another...."
Because we don't agree with what others create, we feel the process is flawed. The process is perfect. What we're doing is part and parcel of who we are--creators.
Couple this amazing ability to create with "free will," and you have what some might term a lethal mixture. And it would be, but for the little understood reality that nothing happens to us without our permission. On some level we have given our conscent or, in other ways, brought it into our experience.
Job said, and I hope I quote him accurately: "The thing which I greatly feared has come upon me."
Despite being a good man (Why do bad things happen to good people?) his fear attracted to him the very thing he had hoped to avoid.
And, for most, we give very little thought to what is created and the process whereby things are created.
We know that we're responsible for our creations, but it's a handy device to attribute them to others, chance, and even the universe, those creations with which we disagree or find painful.
To acknowledge that we created the personal calamities of our lives would place the onus on us to do something about them, if and when we find them unacceptable.
And believe it or not we're quite happy with some of the painful and unhealthy creations that beset our lives.
We really get intimate with some by owning them: You've heard it said: "My rheumatism is acting up today".
We have allowed ourselves to forget that we're the one's responsible--that we're the ones doing it to us--that on some level we have contributed to it happening, or have given our consent.
Hence, nothing happens to us without our permission--despite appearances to the contrary.
This concept of personal responsibility may be hard to swallow but, it is, nevertheless, a stark reality of our existence.
You said: "I see it as "same man different pants." Unless and until people deal internally with those fears of abandonment, insecurity, feeling unloved, etc., etc., the experience repeats itself over and over and over - ad nauseam. Am I on the right track here?"
Yes. Fear is fear. Whatever is feared will bring about more of the same into our experiences. I know that that doesn't seem fair. Thoughts are creative and it can't be otherwise. It would be like telling water not to be wet, and a short person not to be short.
You said: "Not sure if the "protecting my ego" part was about you or me though. :-)
It was about me.
You said: "Slowly but surely I continue to move toward an acceptance of the me I am now - and I like it! Sure there's still much work to be done (in my own assessment) but I see change that I never thought was possible."
Well, you're certainly not resting on your laurels. Not that you asked me, but I'm proud of you. You've achieved something that many in this world are still struggling with--self-acceptance, and self-love. And you're changing, becoming the person that you wish to be.
You said of your father: "Alcoholic that he was, flawed as he was, I KNEW and accepted his love for me and I miss him...."
Here's what I left at the other blog. I think that it applies to you as well:
Wow, touched by your candid description of your relationship with your dad.
As you learned, a gift doesn't always come in a pretty box, tied with fancy, colorful ribbons.
It can be wrapped in butcher paper, and tied together with knotted string.
You asked: "This! This is interesting and something I have to chew on. Can we kick this around at some later date after I've digested it to my own understanding?"
Gladly.
You said: "Nope, not surprised at all. See! That control/rules/authority thing is really not good!"
I agree, given what many say they wish to become, "the image and likeness of God," it's not a good thing. God is not hindered, not restrained, not shackled. But there's one thing He cannot be, and that goes for you as well. He cannot not be God. In other words, He can't behave in a way that is outside of his Divine Nature. It would be un-natural.
If it appears that humans are doing so, it's because they're swept up in the illusion of doing so. In their divine nature, it is unnatural, and impossible. By the way, God never relinquishes His view of you: you are His divine child, without blemish.
Were you not that, you'd never achieve that. And you can achieve that by claiming that you are that. You can claim that, because you've never been anything but that. Here's how it's been stated.
"I am as God created me. I am his son eternally."
Of course, you may change son to daughter if that is your preference.
On authority: I've said that you're always in charge. Nothing is done to you without your permission.
You said: "Funny, I went to sleep last night after replying to your "choose again" comment above with those two words in my head. I woke up to them as well. That you're here again with them confirms, "Nothing happens by accident."
Here's something that I hope you can accept. It will open you up to your soul, if you can:
Deb, your soul is sending you a message around the importance of choice. This is why the message stayed with you, so that you'd continue to look at it, and act on it. It will use me to send that message, because it knows that I'm open to its influence. It may also use others, and anything around you--a song, a headline, a movie title, a chance conversation overheard, or the words of a close friend.
It was around this message that I felt the inspiration kick in, a sure sign that the soul is operating. By the way, souls collaborate, and are in touch with every other soul. I didn't want to mention it to you in my response for fear that my claim would only make you wary of the message by being leery of the messenger.
So that you know: the soul (which is also you, is always in control). Nothing is outside of its providence. Nothing is ever done without it's approval. Nothing is brought into your experiences without its knowledge.
I know that it doesn't always appear to be so, but, in some instances, a careful tracing of cause and effect will reveal it. Our thoughts, and our beliefs, which are nothing more than thoughts that have crystallized into a firmness of mind, play havoc with our world. They can play havoc or play heavenly. It's our choice what we believe.
To believe, for example, that you're not worthy or undeserving will express itself in myriad ways, so too the belief that, No matter what I do, I'll never get ahead. And also the belief that I'm blessed, protected, and kept sound by a loving and caring Father-Mother God.
To your credit, you're willing to continue this discussion. For many it would be considered sheer nonsense--the topics of discussion, that is. And I'm keenly aware of how my words might be perceived by others.
I'm also keenly aware that the experiences of some are such that they would consider my claims ridiculous, and the height of naiveté.
But that's okay by be.
It's not my purpose to convince others--that would be an impossibility. My purpose is to offer information and let people use it anyway they please.
Namaste
the first domino...I have to admit I've had to read your last comment over and over again. I agree with some of it. Other parts of it, not so sure. Like this:
"Because we don't agree with what others create, we feel the process is flawed. The process is perfect."
Is the perfection in the results produced in those of us trying to behave in the image and likeness of the Creator after some of us creators don't behave in the image and likeness of the Creator? Where's the perfection? Just don't get it.
"We know that we're responsible for our creations, but it's a handy device to attribute them to others, chance, and even the universe, those creations with which we disagree or find painful."
I understand your point of personal responsibility AND agree wholeheartedly with it. However, say, people in New Orleans who died or lost everything and are still trying to recover - I don't get how people who are as personally responsible as they are able are responsible for the creation of their situation or using a "handy device" to attribute it to others. Sounds dangerously close to blamiing the victim and I just can't believe that is what you are saying.
But let me just say, speaking for myself as I continue to work toward me, I totally understand the above statement as well as the one that followed it.
"Not that you asked me, but I'm proud of you. You've achieved something that many in this world are still struggling with--self-acceptance, and self-love. And you're changing, becoming the person that you wish to be."
I didn't ask for it, but I appreciate it - really. :-) I am changing but, I am still struggling. It's getting easier though.
"As you learned, a gift doesn't always come in a pretty box, tied with fancy, colorful ribbons.
It can be wrapped in butcher paper, and tied together with knotted string."
Now that you mention it, that very early lesson of loving my imperfect father, is at the root of who I am today! Now, what I need to do next with that revelation is master "the process whereby situations (I want) are created!"
"Here's something that I hope you can accept. It will open you up to your soul, if you can:
Deb, your soul is sending you a message around the importance of choice....
Okay, as you said later here, not mentioning it for fear of making me "wary of the message by being leery of the messenger?" That was a spot-on observation. Leery and wary (along with insomnia!) are my constant companions while on the internet. That being said however, your "a song, a headline, a movie title, a chance conversation overheard...?" I thought exactly the same thing. At best, I thought I was creating it, imagining it and at worst, I thought I was losing my damn mind! Really!! If I am, then I'm obviously not alone! :-)
Thanks for the information and yes I am willing to continue the discussion.
Deb:"Where's the perfection? Just don't get it."
The perfection is in the process.
As creators we're at choice regarding what it is we'll create--be it that which will bless or curse.
Electricity may be used to light a city or advance one towards the light--an electrocution.
Same stuff, same process, just using the process for a different purpose, and that purpose the result of a "choice" made.
Similarly we may use our creative powers (the same for all) to either light up our lives, and the lives of others, or to blot out our life and the lives of others.
It all comes down to choice.
Deb: "I understand your point of personal responsibility AND agree wholeheartedly with it. However, say, people in New Orleans who died or lost everything and are still trying to recover - I don't get how people who are as personally responsible...."
The subject is complex. And there are many variables. This is a subject for an entire book and I'm glossing over it here.
Now, I run the risk of causing a head-on collision by using the vehicle of communication without first providing a paved road on which to drive.
The ride could get a little bumpy here. And you might abandon the vehicle, or take a detour at the next fork in the road.
Here's a partial paving of the road, but more may be required to level the inevitable bumps in the road when discussing a subject of this magnitude.
"Collective Consciousness"...can and does affect everything on your planet: the prospects of war and the chances for peace; geophysical upheaval or planet becalmed; widespread illness or worldwide wellness.
"All is the result of consciousness.
"So, too, the more specific events and conditions in your personal life."
This explanation, and the one to follow, would carry more weight, if we gave more weight to the power of thought.
We're not used to thinking of thoughts as energy units. But that's exactly what they are. Thoughts are powerful, and can have a powerful effect on our day to day existence.
All too often they're dismissed as so much harmless mental activities.
Nevertheless, thought is the catalyst behind our personal behavior and actions and our collective behavior and actions.
Thoughts can and do manifest themselves on the physical plane.
A fear thought can quicken both the pulse and heart rate, and cause sweaty palms, disrupting the normal routine of the body--preparing us for flight or fight.
A love thought can calm both the mind and the body, bringing harmony and peace where discord existed moments ago.
What is not generally understood is that these two thoughts (emotions) can and do impact our physical and non-physical worlds.
In a way that may not seem all too clear, we're All responsible for what happened in NOLA.
Collective consciousness is just that--the consciousness of All.
What do we have in common with everyone on the planet? We're All conscious at the same time, and thoughts are things (energy that we send out into the ether).
Now all this energy interacts in a swirling, interconnected manner, crossing and intersecting with other thoughts--always seeking like energy.
More often the energy becomes mixed rather than clumping with energy of its own kind--there's not enough of one kind to create a mass, a sea of like energy.
When one energy, say negative energy, builds to a point where we may see its expression in the physical world, it unleashes upon the planet this negative (and usually destructive) energy--seismically, or as hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, flooding, and other natural disasters.
This energy, created on the personal level, may impact us on the personal level, as well as on the universal level, as it combines with the thought energies of others.
But that is not the whole of it. There's more. Some call it Karma. Others call it "an eye for an eye", and yet other's call it "as you sow you reap."
It's all the same. It's a law, a physical and non-physical law.
On the physical level, Newton described it this way:
"Every action has an equal and opposite reaction".
Here's the nub of it: Despite appearances, "There's Only One of Us Here."
When al-Qaeda attacked us, it attacked itself. When we attacked al-Qaeda and Iraq we attacked ourselves.
War is always a chancy proposition, as are other actions based on "us against them."
There is no such thing. There's Only One. Hence, what we do another we do to ourselves.
Here's one of those bumps in the road I told you about. You'll either continue this ride with me, or bail out at the next stop.
Karma does not exist to punish wrongdoers for inflicting harm on others, but to educe understanding--although that understanding may come through the crucible of pain.
karma exists as a means to an end. And that end is this: to allow individuals as well as the collective an opportunity to understand the futility and the inadvisability of certain actions, and to underscore our Oneness.
Karma can carryover from previous lives as well. One lifetime does not always provide the necessary opportunities to impart this understanding.
Many know what Karmic debt they've built up, and what understanding is required to satisfy that debt.
(Some learn by way of "pastlife regression." If you're not familiar with the term or the process, Google it.)
Other's learn it by other means. I'm one of those persons. I've known about my Karmic debt for years. And I can tell you categorically I have reached that level of understanding that will cancel the previous debt, although life continues as though the debt remains in place.
Of course there're skeptics. And that's the way it should be in this world of relativity--where one thing exists and defines itself in relationship to something else.
To state it bluntly: if we take tanks, planes, guns, and soldiers clear around the world and attack another, we attack ourselves here at home.
It may show up as record-breaking rainfall, rivers cresting, levees breaking, tornadoes striking areas never struck before, category five hurricanes, brush fires, earthquakes, and a host of other destructive things.
What went out was returned to him or her that sent it out, and that applies to nations as well.
To punish? No. But to hasten the understanding that We're All One, which we are.
You said: "Sounds dangerously close to blaming the victim and I just can't believe that is what you are saying."
Just ahead, there's another bump in the road:
Deb, there are no villains, and there are no victims.
Nothing is done to us without our permission, without our consent.
We're always at choice about everything. We may not always be consciously aware that we're making the choice, but an unconscious choice is a choice nevertheless.
And on some level, as well, we're even aware of the choices that we say were made unconsciously.
I have probably raised more questions by giving you this very incomplete explanation of a very difficult subject.
You said: "Now, what I need to do next with that revelation is master 'the process whereby situations (I want) are created!'"
Choose. Claim. Choose. Claim.
Every situation presents of with two choices:
1. What would Love do?
2. What would Fear do?
Remember some of the attributes of Love: kindness, forgiveness, joy, peace, happiness, caring, nurturing, tenderness, and so on.
Remember some of the attributes of Fear: impatience, worry, criticism, hate, anger, rage, callousness, hurting, intemperance, and so on.
We have a choice. We always have a choice, and our choices shape our experiences and our situations.
Namaste
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