I read this now for the first time exactly one year later and I still can't wrap my head around the fact that as a species we still can't figure out how to get along. Too much suffering and death, and for what? I have no words and am thankful for yours.
I wonder the same thing as I just took my kids sledding and they still managed to fight the whole time. And fighting about things that haven’t even happened yet. The universe manages to balance itself out every time. 🫤
Excellent work. But portraying it as the Israel-Palestine war is quite disingenuous as is calling it the Israel-Hamas war like MSM does. It is a civil war.
"It gives me comfort to know that humanity still knows how to FEEL, and it gives me comfort that this letter might give you comfort knowing that someone feels the way you do."
Well stated and I am feeling all of what you wrote. I have never been a black and white kind of person, but if survival is at stake, I will make a decision. I'm one of those folks that sees the many sides, the grays of it all. Thank you for your words and, yes, I too am suffering from writer's block. Too much to say, but not able to get it out in a legible manner or more truthfully, what I have to say seems less important than what we are witnessing in the world.
Thank you, Michelle! Ditto on that, "what I have to say seems less important than what we are witnessing in the world." And yet, I have to write about it in order to know what to think about it. <3
This is so eloquently written. I'm with you, in that I feel so much in my guts that I couldn't write about my thoughts. And I think it's perfectly alright to allow ourselves to feel ... not everyone needs to write on the Internet what they feel. I have dropped many tears for both sides and I have my thoughts but yet I don't believe I need to write about it. But I'm glad you wrote this because it brings to light the deep issues at the heart of the current conflicts. The example you gave about surviving the streets in Jamaica really hits home. Black-and-white thinking is a product of survivalism. To evolve emotionally--and collectively as a race, we must move out of this stage and learn to see things from different angles. I love Joni Mitchell's song "Both Sides Now" for her maturity. I am also a big fan of Jungian philosophy--of integrating shadows that we reject so we can move toward wholeness. The yin-yang symbol of Taoism lies at the heart of my worldview. It turns the polarity of black-and-white thinking into a fluid exchange and integration--this is the reality of world we live in. Nothing is absolute--yes, I agree with that (I love "We Can Do Hard Things," by the way!). And when we listen mindfully and curiously to the stories behind each human being, including the "evil" ones, we move one step closer to understanding, compassion and peace.
I'm still developing my snowglobe model but the image I included there is a start.
For anyone who's interested in learning more about why human beings are so prone to enemy-making and wars and how we can shift this, I recommend the following podcast:
Amen, sister! Thank you for your comment. The yin-yang concept feels true for me and is similar to many Indigenous American philosophies, including Native Alaskans (where I live) and Mesoamericans, which is why I pursued Mesoamerican mythology in college and in Mexico. I'm definitely going to check out your article and that podcast!
So glad to hear that the yin-yang concept rings true to you. I'm curious about the worldview of indigenous Americans and Alaskans, as well as Mesoamericans. Studying cultures different from our own really helps broaden our thinking and expands the ways in which we can relate to others. I see you have a very curious mind and I look forward to exchanging ideas with you.
it is thoughtful. intense. very community-team oriented. i have been following Bayo for a while, so finally decided it was time. it aligns with where i have been moving in my own being-ness as i age (in my crone years) as i read, ponder, reflect.
Thank you Summer for your thoughtful and wise reflection. I also follow Bayo and am in the midst of a We Will Dance With Mountain course. I find the power in pausing, breathing, holding multiple "truths," while not comfortable, leads to deeper compassion, awareness, and opens space for beauty in the midst of sorrow and grief...and more.
This was very good. 🙏
Thanks so much, Jenn!
I read this now for the first time exactly one year later and I still can't wrap my head around the fact that as a species we still can't figure out how to get along. Too much suffering and death, and for what? I have no words and am thankful for yours.
Also, thank you for your words 💕
I wonder the same thing as I just took my kids sledding and they still managed to fight the whole time. And fighting about things that haven’t even happened yet. The universe manages to balance itself out every time. 🫤
Excellent work. But portraying it as the Israel-Palestine war is quite disingenuous as is calling it the Israel-Hamas war like MSM does. It is a civil war.
Can you explain further, please?
"It gives me comfort to know that humanity still knows how to FEEL, and it gives me comfort that this letter might give you comfort knowing that someone feels the way you do."
Well stated and I am feeling all of what you wrote. I have never been a black and white kind of person, but if survival is at stake, I will make a decision. I'm one of those folks that sees the many sides, the grays of it all. Thank you for your words and, yes, I too am suffering from writer's block. Too much to say, but not able to get it out in a legible manner or more truthfully, what I have to say seems less important than what we are witnessing in the world.
Thank you, Michelle! Ditto on that, "what I have to say seems less important than what we are witnessing in the world." And yet, I have to write about it in order to know what to think about it. <3
Yes that is very true. A way to flush it all out!
Wow, so beautifully, gently enunciated. Thank you
Thank you, Hans!
I have focused so long now on the BIG Lie that I had forgotten how powerful truth--in all its many flavors--can be.
This is so eloquently written. I'm with you, in that I feel so much in my guts that I couldn't write about my thoughts. And I think it's perfectly alright to allow ourselves to feel ... not everyone needs to write on the Internet what they feel. I have dropped many tears for both sides and I have my thoughts but yet I don't believe I need to write about it. But I'm glad you wrote this because it brings to light the deep issues at the heart of the current conflicts. The example you gave about surviving the streets in Jamaica really hits home. Black-and-white thinking is a product of survivalism. To evolve emotionally--and collectively as a race, we must move out of this stage and learn to see things from different angles. I love Joni Mitchell's song "Both Sides Now" for her maturity. I am also a big fan of Jungian philosophy--of integrating shadows that we reject so we can move toward wholeness. The yin-yang symbol of Taoism lies at the heart of my worldview. It turns the polarity of black-and-white thinking into a fluid exchange and integration--this is the reality of world we live in. Nothing is absolute--yes, I agree with that (I love "We Can Do Hard Things," by the way!). And when we listen mindfully and curiously to the stories behind each human being, including the "evil" ones, we move one step closer to understanding, compassion and peace.
I explored the concept of a non-absolutist worldview in my article here: https://lilypond.substack.com/p/how-does-your-rainbow-look-like
I'm still developing my snowglobe model but the image I included there is a start.
For anyone who's interested in learning more about why human beings are so prone to enemy-making and wars and how we can shift this, I recommend the following podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6VZN6stOn6QtNpoJcILqs7?si=74aa4993acef4433
Thank you for your time and I truly appreciate what you wrote here!
Amen, sister! Thank you for your comment. The yin-yang concept feels true for me and is similar to many Indigenous American philosophies, including Native Alaskans (where I live) and Mesoamericans, which is why I pursued Mesoamerican mythology in college and in Mexico. I'm definitely going to check out your article and that podcast!
So glad to hear that the yin-yang concept rings true to you. I'm curious about the worldview of indigenous Americans and Alaskans, as well as Mesoamericans. Studying cultures different from our own really helps broaden our thinking and expands the ways in which we can relate to others. I see you have a very curious mind and I look forward to exchanging ideas with you.
I have been avoiding the news but I completely agree. Both can be true and both can be not true.
it is thoughtful. intense. very community-team oriented. i have been following Bayo for a while, so finally decided it was time. it aligns with where i have been moving in my own being-ness as i age (in my crone years) as i read, ponder, reflect.
Thank you Summer for your thoughtful and wise reflection. I also follow Bayo and am in the midst of a We Will Dance With Mountain course. I find the power in pausing, breathing, holding multiple "truths," while not comfortable, leads to deeper compassion, awareness, and opens space for beauty in the midst of sorrow and grief...and more.
Ooh I love that. And I love that you’re taking his course! I’m so curious about it. How’s it going?