I received quite a number of private responses to my last essay, in which I continued my analysis of the psychological and spiritual dynamics underlying today’s extreme political polarization and what we might do to help heal those dynamics. I do find it interesting that most people chose to write me privately rather than respond in the comments section. I think this may illustrate the chill that is in the air around these topics, and our difficulty in discussing them substantively without fear of censure.
Thanks for your insights David. There is an organization supporting collaborative dialogue called Braver Angels. I listened to one of their debates on a very controversial topic and was really impressed by their system for allowing both sides to weigh in respectfully and got a very good perspective from those who I had previously thought were (some form of mindless idiots - thought police anyone? I am making your case here :-). They were, in fact, deep thinking, loving, and caring even though I didn't agree with them. It was enlightening to experience what is possible!
With regard to the exchange between David and "Mary", I am reminded of a time when my late wife and I were presenting at a small group gathering in Houston, about 38 years ago. An angry woman of colour called us out on a few of the assumptions she felt we had made. Penny was insulted, and began to argue back. I chose to take in what the woman of colour was saying, having heard similar things from a young man in the late 1960s. None of us can know the other's pain, without witnessing it up close.
It was instructive to read "Mary's" point that the Far Right is basing its arguments on "Me", while the Far Left bases its arguments on "We". The latter can be more problematical, when it is co-opted by persons or groups who are, in fact, self-interested and "Power-over" conscious-as the Bolsheviks turned out to be and the Chinese Communist Party still is. The Ultra- Right, being mega-individualistic, is more likely to see itself devolve into chaos. For example, stay tuned to the coming Trump vs. De Santis spectacle-and please excuse that digression.
David's final point, about the need to inculcate a Power-with stance, is more in line with the direction in which I have been heading, for the past decade or so. That has necessitated taking a discerning view of even the shrillest criticism I receive, now and then.
Very well said. I will not chronological my 81 years attempting to bring equal opportunities for ALL.
Or my reflections on today's obvious disasterous unintended consequences from actions when I as a youth in my arrogance "Knew" I had the answer to ancient historical "Wrongs"
I will simply say again. WELL and articulatly said..
I also recommend an organization who has a framework on the national stage to facilitate listening
As you well know, there is quite a range of fundamentalist thinkers out there who may have intellectual awareness and skills, but are nonetheless fundamental in their views.
I salute you for speaking your truth as best you can in these complicated and dark times where civility and respect for another’s views is likely to not be tolerated.
If you are not ridiculed by far right thinking, broken left will be glad to attack and try to undermine.
Thank you for sharing your views. I find them very enlightening and offering an informed, reasonable and rational approach to our times.
I can't even remember how I came across your work, David, but it was in the pre-C19 days, and I took part in one of your online mediations a couple of years ago. Somehow I also subscribed to your Substack, which I also don't remember doing, and I am now so glad that my subconscious led me to do so!
I'm going to look into joining in with more of your work.
I'm also intrigued by the choice of many readers to reply to you privately rather than join a discussion here, and glad you have shared some of these responses publicly.
Hello David. I'm not sure why you mailed this altercation to readers, except maybe to highlight an emotional response to your work which you then go on to defend ? Why defend ? If you feel authentic, there is no need to defend. The very act of defending or explaining means there is something not right / there is something which has to be justified...which you do then justify. So again, both of you fall into the mind game of judgement and continue to play out power and what is to be done within mind, albeit there being actual on the ground work done. Any insidious energy cannot be dealt with mentally. One has to move from mind-ego-solar plexus chakra into heart energy, the energy of silent observation. The mere observation of thought, as you know, changes the thought itself. Reaction and Defense Response is, I believe, chemically imbedded within the DNA spiral through millions of years of having to survive. What is able to change the chemical structure is pure heart observation. My perception is that this is what Consciousness does, in the act of creating balance. It automatically and spontaneously changes polarity & usurps the fear of "non-survival", usurps the fear of meaninglessness, which the ego of many activists are fearful of. Well, you probably know this, just thought I had to articulate it to imbed it further into my own renewal of mind & brain cells. LOL. Thankyou any, (from a soul in a black female body to a soul in a white male body ) It is all just different realities we have CHOSEN to experience to evolve the aspect of Divinity we embody as a "me"😊⚛️⚡
Thanks for your insights David. There is an organization supporting collaborative dialogue called Braver Angels. I listened to one of their debates on a very controversial topic and was really impressed by their system for allowing both sides to weigh in respectfully and got a very good perspective from those who I had previously thought were (some form of mindless idiots - thought police anyone? I am making your case here :-). They were, in fact, deep thinking, loving, and caring even though I didn't agree with them. It was enlightening to experience what is possible!
With regard to the exchange between David and "Mary", I am reminded of a time when my late wife and I were presenting at a small group gathering in Houston, about 38 years ago. An angry woman of colour called us out on a few of the assumptions she felt we had made. Penny was insulted, and began to argue back. I chose to take in what the woman of colour was saying, having heard similar things from a young man in the late 1960s. None of us can know the other's pain, without witnessing it up close.
It was instructive to read "Mary's" point that the Far Right is basing its arguments on "Me", while the Far Left bases its arguments on "We". The latter can be more problematical, when it is co-opted by persons or groups who are, in fact, self-interested and "Power-over" conscious-as the Bolsheviks turned out to be and the Chinese Communist Party still is. The Ultra- Right, being mega-individualistic, is more likely to see itself devolve into chaos. For example, stay tuned to the coming Trump vs. De Santis spectacle-and please excuse that digression.
David's final point, about the need to inculcate a Power-with stance, is more in line with the direction in which I have been heading, for the past decade or so. That has necessitated taking a discerning view of even the shrillest criticism I receive, now and then.
Well said
Very well said. I will not chronological my 81 years attempting to bring equal opportunities for ALL.
Or my reflections on today's obvious disasterous unintended consequences from actions when I as a youth in my arrogance "Knew" I had the answer to ancient historical "Wrongs"
I will simply say again. WELL and articulatly said..
I also recommend an organization who has a framework on the national stage to facilitate listening
Peace and prosperity Through responsibilities
Www.braverangels.org
Dear David,
As you well know, there is quite a range of fundamentalist thinkers out there who may have intellectual awareness and skills, but are nonetheless fundamental in their views.
I salute you for speaking your truth as best you can in these complicated and dark times where civility and respect for another’s views is likely to not be tolerated.
If you are not ridiculed by far right thinking, broken left will be glad to attack and try to undermine.
Thank you for sharing your views. I find them very enlightening and offering an informed, reasonable and rational approach to our times.
Resonating 100% with you here!
I can't even remember how I came across your work, David, but it was in the pre-C19 days, and I took part in one of your online mediations a couple of years ago. Somehow I also subscribed to your Substack, which I also don't remember doing, and I am now so glad that my subconscious led me to do so!
I'm going to look into joining in with more of your work.
I'm also intrigued by the choice of many readers to reply to you privately rather than join a discussion here, and glad you have shared some of these responses publicly.
Hello David. I'm not sure why you mailed this altercation to readers, except maybe to highlight an emotional response to your work which you then go on to defend ? Why defend ? If you feel authentic, there is no need to defend. The very act of defending or explaining means there is something not right / there is something which has to be justified...which you do then justify. So again, both of you fall into the mind game of judgement and continue to play out power and what is to be done within mind, albeit there being actual on the ground work done. Any insidious energy cannot be dealt with mentally. One has to move from mind-ego-solar plexus chakra into heart energy, the energy of silent observation. The mere observation of thought, as you know, changes the thought itself. Reaction and Defense Response is, I believe, chemically imbedded within the DNA spiral through millions of years of having to survive. What is able to change the chemical structure is pure heart observation. My perception is that this is what Consciousness does, in the act of creating balance. It automatically and spontaneously changes polarity & usurps the fear of "non-survival", usurps the fear of meaninglessness, which the ego of many activists are fearful of. Well, you probably know this, just thought I had to articulate it to imbed it further into my own renewal of mind & brain cells. LOL. Thankyou any, (from a soul in a black female body to a soul in a white male body ) It is all just different realities we have CHOSEN to experience to evolve the aspect of Divinity we embody as a "me"😊⚛️⚡