Recopying my restack comment here, Robin, per your suggestion--to reinforce how we are all being called to be--and share--our light-force:
A powerful story, Robin. Recognizing our inner power—and how sometimes chaos is the necessary force to unleash it—reminds us that, as Walt Whitman wrote, “we contain multitudes.”
We are not the smallness of what is encapsulated in our skin and bones, but a spirit as grand and all encompassing as the All That Is.
It requires, as Hawkins’ table shows, tapping into a higher level of consciousness to recognize that force. Awakening to that level can produce a shock to the system—a swirl of chaos—to unlock that awareness.
And as my mother used to say, “What can happen in a moment could not happen in a thousand years.” A reminder of miracles.
Brava, my friend. In this moment, when I am among the multitudes who are shocked, ashamed and incensed by the low-level of consciousness that has once again been hammered by brute force back into our worldview, thank you for unlocking that awareness—and the knowledge that we are the miracle—the light—we are waiting for.
As Alice Walker wrote in her book, We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For, “When life descends into the pit I must become my own candle Willingly burning myself To light up the darkness Around me.”
Pull quote from your post:
"Coping with that change, a sense of death in our home, as a young person, I wasn’t familiar with the larger patterns of life. I hadn’t learned that in world mythology, as in the world of nature—including human beings—chaos precedes creation. And that sometimes those processes are entwined."
Thank you, Robin! I love your reference to Whitman, and in fact I'd almost included that line in my essay. So glad this piece sparked you to think of his poetry. And this: "We are not the smallness of what is encapsulated in our skin and bones, but a spirit as grand and all encompassing as the All That Is." How gorgeous! YES. I'd never heard your mother's expression, and I'll try to remember it. What a great way to describe miracles. And I love, LOVE the Alice Walker quote. Let us each be a candle in the dark, my friend. I appreciate you reading and taking time to respond in such a heartfelt way.
I love your post, Robin. Thoughtful. Beautifully written. Thank you. Reflecting on Hawkins’ example of Gandhi and the British Empire at the time leading up to Indian independence, I feel that the forces today of right-wing nationalism, libertarianism, anti-environmentalism, racism, etc. etc. are all, and can only be, rooted in fear, in the lower echelon of Hawkins’ ranking system. As frightening as they appear to be, and they are, these are the rantings of disturbed children who are under the illusion that their only power lies in fear-mongering, baiting and anger.
Thank you, Hugh. I deeply appreciate your words. Keeping the high watch on all that is beautiful in this world, the ever-available frequency of love, helps us to break through fear. However, as I know you know, that does not mean we should deny or turn away from the injustices that are happening. We must speak out and take appropriate action. And with the benefit of studying and witnessing truly great thinkers and leaders, we can learn to do so peacefully. Today, I'm still marvelling at Danish PM Mette Frederiksen's speech, her example of passion and eloquence, at the recent Support Ukraine Summit. Here's a link: https://www.tiktok.com/@canadianresisters/video/7475052887366847766?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Recopying my restack comment here, Robin, per your suggestion--to reinforce how we are all being called to be--and share--our light-force:
A powerful story, Robin. Recognizing our inner power—and how sometimes chaos is the necessary force to unleash it—reminds us that, as Walt Whitman wrote, “we contain multitudes.”
We are not the smallness of what is encapsulated in our skin and bones, but a spirit as grand and all encompassing as the All That Is.
It requires, as Hawkins’ table shows, tapping into a higher level of consciousness to recognize that force. Awakening to that level can produce a shock to the system—a swirl of chaos—to unlock that awareness.
And as my mother used to say, “What can happen in a moment could not happen in a thousand years.” A reminder of miracles.
Brava, my friend. In this moment, when I am among the multitudes who are shocked, ashamed and incensed by the low-level of consciousness that has once again been hammered by brute force back into our worldview, thank you for unlocking that awareness—and the knowledge that we are the miracle—the light—we are waiting for.
As Alice Walker wrote in her book, We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For, “When life descends into the pit I must become my own candle Willingly burning myself To light up the darkness Around me.”
Pull quote from your post:
"Coping with that change, a sense of death in our home, as a young person, I wasn’t familiar with the larger patterns of life. I hadn’t learned that in world mythology, as in the world of nature—including human beings—chaos precedes creation. And that sometimes those processes are entwined."
Thank you, Robin! I love your reference to Whitman, and in fact I'd almost included that line in my essay. So glad this piece sparked you to think of his poetry. And this: "We are not the smallness of what is encapsulated in our skin and bones, but a spirit as grand and all encompassing as the All That Is." How gorgeous! YES. I'd never heard your mother's expression, and I'll try to remember it. What a great way to describe miracles. And I love, LOVE the Alice Walker quote. Let us each be a candle in the dark, my friend. I appreciate you reading and taking time to respond in such a heartfelt way.
I love your post, Robin. Thoughtful. Beautifully written. Thank you. Reflecting on Hawkins’ example of Gandhi and the British Empire at the time leading up to Indian independence, I feel that the forces today of right-wing nationalism, libertarianism, anti-environmentalism, racism, etc. etc. are all, and can only be, rooted in fear, in the lower echelon of Hawkins’ ranking system. As frightening as they appear to be, and they are, these are the rantings of disturbed children who are under the illusion that their only power lies in fear-mongering, baiting and anger.
Thank you, Hugh. I deeply appreciate your words. Keeping the high watch on all that is beautiful in this world, the ever-available frequency of love, helps us to break through fear. However, as I know you know, that does not mean we should deny or turn away from the injustices that are happening. We must speak out and take appropriate action. And with the benefit of studying and witnessing truly great thinkers and leaders, we can learn to do so peacefully. Today, I'm still marvelling at Danish PM Mette Frederiksen's speech, her example of passion and eloquence, at the recent Support Ukraine Summit. Here's a link: https://www.tiktok.com/@canadianresisters/video/7475052887366847766?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Thank you again. 🙏✨❤
Saving to read over the weekend, Robin!
Thank you, Robin. When the time is right. I appreciate you.