Community, Change, Resistance

At the end of my class this morning, I felt inspired to speak to my students a little about a series of strange events or “coincidences” that have been occurring over the last few days regarding a paper that I am writing on Kali, the primordial unconscious and individuation. Metaphors that I used in the document have included black holes (which took my first draft in a “perfect storm” of computer glitches never to be seen again), Jonah, Little Red Ridinghood – innocence on the journey into the forest where we meet the “wolf” on our way to grandma’s house representing wisdom. Each metaphor represents the unconscious mind and our journey on the path toward awareness.

I have several very well read and brilliant ladies in my class and today we began speaking about the political implications of such things in the unconscious mind when left unresolved, issues projected can influence how we create the systems around us - government being one where we simply see two sides opposing without any desire to help push important legislation through and practice good bipartisanship to do what is right for humanity.

The archetype Kali is a representation of our conscious and unconscious minds in tension to find clarity, meaning, and security in perceived chaos all around us where religious inference and projections of evil prevail. Then we began to speak of control, lack of healthy developed relationships, giving up when things don’t go our way, war and the history of man. I began to feel saddened by what perceptions we may have as a society about others and that humans repeatedly can’t seem to build systems that demonstrate real community and sustainability.

Instead we create faction and misunderstandings that often lead us to inevitably disappoint and fail the other. Imagine watching a ship sink and doing nothing though our job is to serve the coast guard. Humans are doing that every day. It is puzzling to me that we, as MLK says, simply "do what is right." We are also animals on this planet though we often righteously give ourselves credit to be above the animal kingdom - many functioning from a place a scarcity or lack, and mostly fear or just trying to survive. It isn’t easy sometimes.

We are wise to know our limits but unwise when we hurt or judge others. I have been reading a lot of Martin Luther King lately and I want to share a quote from his writings with all of you.

“Everybody can be great,” MLK said, “Because anybody can serve…You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

I often see more deeply into the souls of those who I meet seeing only beauty and perfection than imperfect human behaviors which is not only a naïve assumption but a projection of my own soul yearning to simply be THAT. My sensitivities lead me to feeling hurt when the behaviors I am interpreting alarm me, and I am caught off guard. I am learning to channel that differently and to be more sensitive to each of our needs on all levels of our being – spiritual, mentally, physically and emotionally. We are not our behaviors yet they are what we discern when we move closer or farther away from people. This is so tricky. Finding that delicate balance in order to work with people isn’t easy. Maybe that is why the tendency is to focus on individuality. It’s freakin’ hard to please everyone.

I wish I could snap my fingers and have it all figured out but I admit I am learning as I go. All I could ever ask is for patience with me. My heart is in the right place but I am still learning this dance. I only want to see yoga and everyone shine and our sanctity protected.

Tell the wolf hello and send her my best when you see her :O)