YES TO ALL OF THIS. I am reminded of M. Scott Peck’s “people of the lie.” So ironic all the warnings of false prophets etc are embedded in this mythology and warn of exactly what’s happening.
Listen, it’s simple. Spend the trillions in war taxes on helping people, and the need for war will disappear. Spend our life energy on the living rather than on killing. We only worship death because we fear it. Instead, we could face our fears. If we did, we’d find that death is a friend, informing us, teaching us how to live. If we learn one thing from the Jesus story, it’s that we can become willing to die so others can live. What dies is our egoic certainty that we even know what the world is and how best to live in it. Let that die, and then see what survives death.
What arises when we surrender our worldview?
Love. Reverence. The willingness to serve life. Remember how quickly the world began to heal and regenerate during the pandemic? Recovery means we have to stop drinking the neurotoxin, the lie, and see for ourselves how quickly the hangover heals.
SUSAN. I gasped at the obvious statements and conclusions. So clearly said. Hard truths. I came from a religious background, so I have a sense of how sacrilegious this is. And, wow, does it need to be said. Thank you.
Thanks Wendy. I think a religious life can be so beautiful and meaningful, especially one lived in intentional communities of love. I’ve met gorgeous souls from many different traditions of surrender and devotion. None of them wanted to start a war or dominate a culture. They were focused on the truth in their own hearts - and service to others.
I know those voices exist, but they seem to be few. Marianne Budde, Kate Bowler, Meggan Waterson are the only ones who come to mind. All women. I know there are others. Men, too. And I’m thankful for them.
There are intentional communities, too. People coming together to get under the old traditions and live the metaphor, to love and care for one another. I can respect that.
Susan, no, I had a chance to listen to this exquisite essay that cover so much territory. Imagine spending money on people to erase the need for war. We are in a sad state. What is missing is more women a leadership.
I honed in on the witch trials.
I recently watched a movie on Netflix called a forgotten love. It is beautiful. About a male surgeon who has an experience that causes amnesia. He forgets who he is, becomes a nomad vagrant. But he doesn’t forget his heart or art for healing. However, he is not allowed to help people, heal people so he cures behind closed doors. He doesn’t charge.
Of course he is arrested and tried for the crime of healing. He was a so-called witch, a healer, a good human being, who is more interested in helping than harming, regardless of what it cost him.
Your post reminded me of this. I have to say, I cried quite a few times through the film. Such a beautiful expression of a man. The one that is dismissed in our culture.
Thank you, Prajna. Imagine all we are missing simply because our men are not allowed to be themselves. What if all those beautiful baby boys were loved into gorgeous, full-feeling men like that. How different could the world be?
What arises when i suspend my world view is pure simplicity and slowness and the joy in seeing the first leaves on the forsythia even amidst the sadness that my dad won't. They were his favorite. When i read your request to ask myself Who Am I, I said out loud-i don't know. As in, I don't quite have a grasp of who or what we are or how we happened to get here...wherever here actually is. That gives me comfort. Thanks for this beautiful writing. I loved every word.
And I once thought it was only the bitter and twisted who started wars ... Turns out most folks in power start wars. The Scandinavians seem to 'start' peace, at times, but their efforts are not always well received. We (collectively) clearly should 'never have worshiped at the alter' of the war gods. But we / they (?) don't seem to be able to resist the temptation.
People raised in a domination culture go to war privately all day long. It's how we think we have to solve problems, by winning. But we were only acculturated to think this way. It's not a natural state for human beings, or all cultures would be like that - and they are not. We can wake up from this madness. The opportunity is presenting itself right now.
I did do three days of Appreciative Inquiry with the organisation I headed some time back, which was squabbling itself to death. Is IS possible, even with a seemingly dying organisation. I've been there. But you need (to make) the space to do it in, and a commitment to find the fresh air too. It's down to trust ... We took three days 'out' just to get started.
We see the results all around us, from our US cities under siege by our own military, to two foreign wars, to the DOGE demolition of our government. But also it’s older than that, too. It’s the whole patriarchal project. If you control women, you think you control life. News flash! We have had enough.
As Rabbi Hillel said, "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and learn."
Beautiful, Robin. I couldn’t agree more.
YES TO ALL OF THIS. I am reminded of M. Scott Peck’s “people of the lie.” So ironic all the warnings of false prophets etc are embedded in this mythology and warn of exactly what’s happening.
I was thinking of you while I was writing this. Doesn’t “people of the lie” describe every cult? The world is a big mirror.
Totally. 💥
Listen, it’s simple. Spend the trillions in war taxes on helping people, and the need for war will disappear. Spend our life energy on the living rather than on killing. We only worship death because we fear it. Instead, we could face our fears. If we did, we’d find that death is a friend, informing us, teaching us how to live. If we learn one thing from the Jesus story, it’s that we can become willing to die so others can live. What dies is our egoic certainty that we even know what the world is and how best to live in it. Let that die, and then see what survives death.
What arises when we surrender our worldview?
Love. Reverence. The willingness to serve life. Remember how quickly the world began to heal and regenerate during the pandemic? Recovery means we have to stop drinking the neurotoxin, the lie, and see for ourselves how quickly the hangover heals.
SUSAN. I gasped at the obvious statements and conclusions. So clearly said. Hard truths. I came from a religious background, so I have a sense of how sacrilegious this is. And, wow, does it need to be said. Thank you.
Thanks Wendy. I think a religious life can be so beautiful and meaningful, especially one lived in intentional communities of love. I’ve met gorgeous souls from many different traditions of surrender and devotion. None of them wanted to start a war or dominate a culture. They were focused on the truth in their own hearts - and service to others.
I know those voices exist, but they seem to be few. Marianne Budde, Kate Bowler, Meggan Waterson are the only ones who come to mind. All women. I know there are others. Men, too. And I’m thankful for them.
There are intentional communities, too. People coming together to get under the old traditions and live the metaphor, to love and care for one another. I can respect that.
Susan, no, I had a chance to listen to this exquisite essay that cover so much territory. Imagine spending money on people to erase the need for war. We are in a sad state. What is missing is more women a leadership.
I honed in on the witch trials.
I recently watched a movie on Netflix called a forgotten love. It is beautiful. About a male surgeon who has an experience that causes amnesia. He forgets who he is, becomes a nomad vagrant. But he doesn’t forget his heart or art for healing. However, he is not allowed to help people, heal people so he cures behind closed doors. He doesn’t charge.
Of course he is arrested and tried for the crime of healing. He was a so-called witch, a healer, a good human being, who is more interested in helping than harming, regardless of what it cost him.
Your post reminded me of this. I have to say, I cried quite a few times through the film. Such a beautiful expression of a man. The one that is dismissed in our culture.
Thank you, dear sister.
Well done.
Thank you, Prajna. Imagine all we are missing simply because our men are not allowed to be themselves. What if all those beautiful baby boys were loved into gorgeous, full-feeling men like that. How different could the world be?
Yes 💞
What arises when i suspend my world view is pure simplicity and slowness and the joy in seeing the first leaves on the forsythia even amidst the sadness that my dad won't. They were his favorite. When i read your request to ask myself Who Am I, I said out loud-i don't know. As in, I don't quite have a grasp of who or what we are or how we happened to get here...wherever here actually is. That gives me comfort. Thanks for this beautiful writing. I loved every word.
“Idon’t know” is a great answer. Much better than something from your ideas. Stick with that, and keep asking.
"Nope. This god is a war god."
in which case we can do without ...
We should never have…
And I once thought it was only the bitter and twisted who started wars ... Turns out most folks in power start wars. The Scandinavians seem to 'start' peace, at times, but their efforts are not always well received. We (collectively) clearly should 'never have worshiped at the alter' of the war gods. But we / they (?) don't seem to be able to resist the temptation.
That’s beautiful. I hope we have a Truth and Reconciliation Commission style reckoning. Let the whole truth come out.
People raised in a domination culture go to war privately all day long. It's how we think we have to solve problems, by winning. But we were only acculturated to think this way. It's not a natural state for human beings, or all cultures would be like that - and they are not. We can wake up from this madness. The opportunity is presenting itself right now.
I did do three days of Appreciative Inquiry with the organisation I headed some time back, which was squabbling itself to death. Is IS possible, even with a seemingly dying organisation. I've been there. But you need (to make) the space to do it in, and a commitment to find the fresh air too. It's down to trust ... We took three days 'out' just to get started.
I agree with all of this. So heartening to read your wise words.
Thank you! The more of us who know it, the more alternatives are in play.
Hear hear!
Thank you! Thank you!
A great opening line, as always. Our dominance culture creating another war.
I look forward to syncing into the rest of this as I take Woody down to the beach.
💗
Thanks. Give Woody a scratch for me.
Thank you again. I was unaware of 7MM the group but not ignorant of their work.
We see the results all around us, from our US cities under siege by our own military, to two foreign wars, to the DOGE demolition of our government. But also it’s older than that, too. It’s the whole patriarchal project. If you control women, you think you control life. News flash! We have had enough.
I'm always so buoyed by the clarity of your words, Susan. Yes to all of this.
Thanks Kendall. That means so much to me, considering the clarity you always come from.
Oh wow, thank YOU Susan!
And so it goes, as we all walk home. The ending cptures the spirit of your post. Another well done essay! Tom
Thank my beautiful partner. I appreciate you so much.
Beautifully said. So, so true. A summary of what many of us have been thinking. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
That’s how you know there’s hope. Consciousness is shifting “for the times, they are a-changing.”