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By Carolyn Riker
Some days I can’t let the hurt roll off.
I am exhausted by the labels and quick fixes society places on and around us. I can’t stand the condescending and diminishing of human suffering; it is on a generational repeat cycle—unless we learn to say, stop.
I am also learning to listen to my needs so I can reenter more fully and give from a space that is healthier.
I’m not avoiding when I take care of myself.
I’m incubating from a persistent ache that I can’t fully identify or understand. I need to wrap cushions of solitude and meditative prayer to create a barrier from these tsunami-like shockwaves shaking our lives. I need to light candles and be in nature.
I am stepping into my fears, even though I don’t feel qualified. My inner wisdom is telling me to lean into my heart, listen and share.
As I see it, the accumulated ruptures in the world are having a devastating impact on each of us. Whether we are aware of it or not; the vibrational overflow is intense. When our ‘sisters and brothers’ from around the world suffer, we suffer too.
We blame, terrorize and ostracize each other based on some bizarre learned hierarchy of majority versus minority.
The outrage of racial violence. The gunshots and murder to the innocent. The silent screams of domestic violence. The walls that hide child abuse. Women who feel defeated, ashamed and despise themselves because of rape. Young girls loathing their bodies because of normal developing curves.
Why are we taught to be silent? Why are we told to scream, “Fire” rather than “Rape?”
We’ve become numb to the human spirit.
Generally speaking, our connections with each other are taut, disconnected, damaged, dangling loosely and destroyed daily from repetitive altercations to massive injustices.
Each conflict, manipulation, gross lie, famine, catastrophic natural disaster, vicious bigotry and horrendous violence are all symbolic wounds puncturing each of us on a universal scale.
Eventually our physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing collapses into chronic illnesses, emotional and/or psychological dis-ease. It is a dysfunctional attempt to find balance. Our channels of communication are clogged and blocked.
We need to be heard, encouraged and ultimately loved and respected for our rich uniqueness.
“What if our religion was each other? If our practice was our life. If prayer, our words. What if the temple was the Earth? If forests were our church. If holy water—the rivers, lakes, and ocean. What if meditation was our relationships? If the teacher was life. If wisdom was self-knowledge. If love was the center of our being.” ~ Ganga White
I believe change can happen by speaking out and listening; one voice connecting to another until there’s a majority wanting similar ideals.
I realize what I am sharing may seem simplistic or ideological or a utopia. It’s not.
I believe love, acceptance, growth, safety and freedom are something we all want.
For today…
I need to rest, grieve and recuperate so I can give again tomorrow.
Photo: (source)
Editor: Dana Gornall[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
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