I relate to this on such a deep level. Thank you for sharing and expressing it so eloquently and wonderfully! While I could type a long response, I hope to discuss in person when I visit Oregon this fall. You have escaped the paradigms of fear and separation! I commend you.
You have also escaped some paradigms, it seems! I've enjoyed following your perspectives and travels and wildly successful fishing ventures. I'm glad to hear you'll be visiting Oregon, and I look forward to connecting!
You articulate so well much of what has been rattlin yound my brain... I have written or spoken so many times about the 'us vs them' story ceaselessly flowing from both tubes of the media machine... this is the real 'misinformation'... it is just us here folks, the diversity that defines us as 'different' is the magic that can heal this wounded world! I mostly speak of people and thier beliefs, but I really dig your call to include the words of warblers, babbles from the brooks, and the quiet questions posed so powerfully by redwoods and all their relations. Right on!
Your welcome, but also thank you! It has been hard to watch (and lose) friends and family I was sure would endure tests and time to that cold hard binary of fear.... a sticky belief for which we all used to deride those foolish right wing war followers and other true believers that had been taken in by such obviously profitable lies... it has been far too easy of late to loose oneself into despair and forgetting. But these well crafted missives flow thru one's soul with a bright reminder to watch for that trail of beauty oft laid out right before one (and perhaps another...). This work is one of the things I am collecting to remind me of the real word and the real me; not lost, not forgotten! Ursula K. LeGuin works a similar magic for me, though perhaps her art is more widely known. =)
It is high praise to be compared to Ursula K. LeGuin - I am most honored!
I remember the outrage my grandfather felt back in the contested 2004 election, when he was so sure that a loss for Bush Jr. would portend the end of our country. It has been strange to see that same level of angst now on the left - as if defeating the perceived enemy is more important than advancing a coherent and positive vision.
Thanks Mark, this was a wonderful essay and one I will take to heart in my own efforts to step outside of the socially constructed reality. I think my first really strong wake up call was covid as I just wasn't seeing what I was told I should be seeing. Others have followed hopefully I will be able to shed them all. Thanks for the boost in that direction.
Lovely, and I could have written it myself. As it is, I will quote you generously to others. :)
Except that I would preface "immigrant" with "illegal" - I don't know anyone who is against immigrants, only against immigrants who enter the country illegally. Thank you.
Certainly I would agree that the present-day "red team" is opposed to those entering illegally, but in my experience there is still quite a bit of prejudice in my rural hometown against the fully-legal Latino and Somali immigrants who now dominate the agricultural workforce, and anti-immigrant sentiment has been quite common throughout our country's history. I understand that there are reasons to be concerned, revolving around maintaining a living wage and maintaining a sense of unity or cohesion in community, but I don't like seeing these sentiments and judgments projected onto the people themselves without an effort to get to know them and understand their stories from the inside.
I also feel that understandable concern regarding immigration - based on how fast communities are changing and how that affects one's own sense of security and belonging - is too often miscategorized and condemned as racism in yet another instance of failing to listen and understand people. I tried to unpack more of that a few years ago: https://www.luterra.com/blog/?p=1072
I could have highlighted and quoted nearly this entire post. I wrote down a lot. This is timely powerful wisdom. I am with you. I was in a coffee shop last week eavesdropping unintentionally, (with intention because it was a great conversation!) and I wrote down these words in reference to it:
“Asking-
What is the story this person is telling themselves?
Listen.
Find common ground.
Analogism
connection”
The timeline recap of your life story was fascinating. Thank you for sharing. I would love to see a group come together in person and intentionally practice this relating.
I like the concept of eavesdropping unintentionally with intention :-).
I too would love to see a group come together with the intention of deeply understanding each others' stories and finding common ground and healing. I wonder what it would take to get it started?
Thank you for another deeply helpful take on things, Markhael. Your writing reminds me of another whom I follow - Charles Eisenstein. Keep up the enlightening sharing, please.
I registered for the Sanity Project last year and then found that it wasn't really working for me. I don't especially like watching videos, and the virtual "pods" I attended felt more like an Eisenstein fan club than the sort of deeper sharing and resonance I was seeking. I certainly support the premise but for myself I find that I prefer to read resonant writings and connect with others in person, face-to-face.
There is so much in here, Mark. So much about better embodiments than we commonly inhabit. The plants and hummingbirds and mountains have far better chances of living and dying in sublime connection to creation than Homo sapiens, apparently because we have achieved the power of enduring narrative, a condition that creates pools of shared mentality. Over 300,000 years of competing narratives, we eventually get Shakespeare, and now Trump, and Luterra. And I have to deal with Morton. So many stories, so much history to examine, so many facts to contest, so much socialization to peel away. From ourselves, and from others. When I do this to myself, I see a life completely wasted on egoic pursuit of useful Illusions. I am left staring at flowers and insects, the wind is blowing, my life is as meaningful as a father swallow with two fledged offspring, and nothing else matters. There is no need to say goodbye.
I can also do that for others. Scrape away their identity, burn their egoic perspectives like so many history books, flay them out like any other animal to show that we are all the same inside--every farmer, philosopher, and political fanatic--all with beating hearts and racing minds trying to keep surviving, but unlike the other animals, telling ourselves stories to explain our actions, and to gather support from others who accept or delight in our stories. The stories give rise to all the social institutions that hold us together and push us into opposing factions. Of course, you know that.
There are no narratives that escape the propensity for the strong to dominate the weak. Democracy is an attempt to give the weak a chance to have equal say in making a society. That's the experiment, anyway. It requires participants to accept election results, and to reject physical domination as a means to hold power. The Orange guy and his party are clearly not accepting these rules to the Democracy game, insisting that they must win and be dominant, and this will lead to "the weak" accepting edicts from the strong, which will touch on religion, bodily autonomy, foreign alliances, and who will next be in our sights. There is no promise of disarmament, equal rights, protection of the vulnerable, respect for the environment, or safeguards against abuse of power to be found. If I am chummy and polite to the anti-democratic half who rule by strength, there is no reason to think they won't cut every tree, burn every pound of coal, and dominate every legal institution just because I am planting seeds of doubt in a few minds. As far as it goes, I am already chummy and polite and conversational with people who will be voting republican this fall. I'm not changing anyone.
It's easy to find moral and logical fault in science and politics, regardless of era or party. This isn't a case of Democrats just not understanding the pain and anguish of the other side. The other side has decided democracy isn't working for them, that they need not accept election results they don't like, and that in the end, they are willing to use their overgrown arsenals. My nephew owns a safe full of every size weapon. He works for FEMA. Go figure.
But of course, this all ego, and we don't need to engage in the human power struggle. Nature is a refuge. Until they come for Nature, which they will. After everyone else.
For what it's worth, if I strip away the various socially-created narratives from your life, I don't see merely a father but a man who chooses to participate in the dance of evolution: who nestles lettuce and pepper plants together and lovingly selects the most beautiful and flavorful recombinations that will perpetuate and evolve indefinitely into the future, leaving a lasting mark upon co-creation. I see a man who provides homes and meals for the birds, who accepts the English sparrows and ground squirrels unless they truly cause harm, who notices the small insects and soaring hawks and shifts in the wind. I suppose you might say that that, too, is a story that can be stripped away. But to me, stories based upon engagement and participation in the living biosphere that birthed us are more real and enduring than those based upon the beliefs and structures of human minds.
With regard to the current political polarity, the strong dominating the weak is one possible framework. I have met others who view it primarily through a lens of patriarchy or racism. I would not argue that there are some who truly do view it that way and simply wish for unbridled power, but more often I find that the other team believes the opposite story: that it is their opponents who are the strong suppressing the weak and so they need their guns and their stories as a defense. And while it may not be easy, I prefer to drop the assumption that I know their true motivations until I have had a chance to listen deeply and see the world through their eyes.
I'm having to broach a lot of this subject matters with a friend who is turning increasingly militant as regards immigration here in the UK and particularly the 'threat of mass migration of Islam'. It is made more difficult to argue when even Jung acknowledged that the projection of an 'other' to be feared has to have a 'real' hook to hang itself on. Nothing is black and white and often there is something to at least be wary/mindful/concerned about from which fear can grow - got any thoughts on dealing/handling this?
I relate to this on such a deep level. Thank you for sharing and expressing it so eloquently and wonderfully! While I could type a long response, I hope to discuss in person when I visit Oregon this fall. You have escaped the paradigms of fear and separation! I commend you.
You have also escaped some paradigms, it seems! I've enjoyed following your perspectives and travels and wildly successful fishing ventures. I'm glad to hear you'll be visiting Oregon, and I look forward to connecting!
You articulate so well much of what has been rattlin yound my brain... I have written or spoken so many times about the 'us vs them' story ceaselessly flowing from both tubes of the media machine... this is the real 'misinformation'... it is just us here folks, the diversity that defines us as 'different' is the magic that can heal this wounded world! I mostly speak of people and thier beliefs, but I really dig your call to include the words of warblers, babbles from the brooks, and the quiet questions posed so powerfully by redwoods and all their relations. Right on!
Thank you!
Your welcome, but also thank you! It has been hard to watch (and lose) friends and family I was sure would endure tests and time to that cold hard binary of fear.... a sticky belief for which we all used to deride those foolish right wing war followers and other true believers that had been taken in by such obviously profitable lies... it has been far too easy of late to loose oneself into despair and forgetting. But these well crafted missives flow thru one's soul with a bright reminder to watch for that trail of beauty oft laid out right before one (and perhaps another...). This work is one of the things I am collecting to remind me of the real word and the real me; not lost, not forgotten! Ursula K. LeGuin works a similar magic for me, though perhaps her art is more widely known. =)
It is high praise to be compared to Ursula K. LeGuin - I am most honored!
I remember the outrage my grandfather felt back in the contested 2004 election, when he was so sure that a loss for Bush Jr. would portend the end of our country. It has been strange to see that same level of angst now on the left - as if defeating the perceived enemy is more important than advancing a coherent and positive vision.
Thanks Mark, this was a wonderful essay and one I will take to heart in my own efforts to step outside of the socially constructed reality. I think my first really strong wake up call was covid as I just wasn't seeing what I was told I should be seeing. Others have followed hopefully I will be able to shed them all. Thanks for the boost in that direction.
Thanks Kay!
Lovely, and I could have written it myself. As it is, I will quote you generously to others. :)
Except that I would preface "immigrant" with "illegal" - I don't know anyone who is against immigrants, only against immigrants who enter the country illegally. Thank you.
Thanks Ellen!
Certainly I would agree that the present-day "red team" is opposed to those entering illegally, but in my experience there is still quite a bit of prejudice in my rural hometown against the fully-legal Latino and Somali immigrants who now dominate the agricultural workforce, and anti-immigrant sentiment has been quite common throughout our country's history. I understand that there are reasons to be concerned, revolving around maintaining a living wage and maintaining a sense of unity or cohesion in community, but I don't like seeing these sentiments and judgments projected onto the people themselves without an effort to get to know them and understand their stories from the inside.
agreed!
I also feel that understandable concern regarding immigration - based on how fast communities are changing and how that affects one's own sense of security and belonging - is too often miscategorized and condemned as racism in yet another instance of failing to listen and understand people. I tried to unpack more of that a few years ago: https://www.luterra.com/blog/?p=1072
Yes, I appreciate that you understand the difference, and your write-up. Will share with others.
I could have highlighted and quoted nearly this entire post. I wrote down a lot. This is timely powerful wisdom. I am with you. I was in a coffee shop last week eavesdropping unintentionally, (with intention because it was a great conversation!) and I wrote down these words in reference to it:
“Asking-
What is the story this person is telling themselves?
Listen.
Find common ground.
Analogism
connection”
The timeline recap of your life story was fascinating. Thank you for sharing. I would love to see a group come together in person and intentionally practice this relating.
Here’s to stepping out of the lines!
Thank you Hannah!
I like the concept of eavesdropping unintentionally with intention :-).
I too would love to see a group come together with the intention of deeply understanding each others' stories and finding common ground and healing. I wonder what it would take to get it started?
Thank you for sharing this. Helps me keep shedding layers of judgment and act from love.
Thanks Zia!
Thank you for another deeply helpful take on things, Markhael. Your writing reminds me of another whom I follow - Charles Eisenstein. Keep up the enlightening sharing, please.
Thanks Jiluna! I love Charles' writings and have been missing them now that he is posting less often.
I do too, and he's so prolific! On target with his Sanity Project: https://charleseisenstein.org/courses/sanity-project/
I registered for the Sanity Project last year and then found that it wasn't really working for me. I don't especially like watching videos, and the virtual "pods" I attended felt more like an Eisenstein fan club than the sort of deeper sharing and resonance I was seeking. I certainly support the premise but for myself I find that I prefer to read resonant writings and connect with others in person, face-to-face.
There is so much in here, Mark. So much about better embodiments than we commonly inhabit. The plants and hummingbirds and mountains have far better chances of living and dying in sublime connection to creation than Homo sapiens, apparently because we have achieved the power of enduring narrative, a condition that creates pools of shared mentality. Over 300,000 years of competing narratives, we eventually get Shakespeare, and now Trump, and Luterra. And I have to deal with Morton. So many stories, so much history to examine, so many facts to contest, so much socialization to peel away. From ourselves, and from others. When I do this to myself, I see a life completely wasted on egoic pursuit of useful Illusions. I am left staring at flowers and insects, the wind is blowing, my life is as meaningful as a father swallow with two fledged offspring, and nothing else matters. There is no need to say goodbye.
I can also do that for others. Scrape away their identity, burn their egoic perspectives like so many history books, flay them out like any other animal to show that we are all the same inside--every farmer, philosopher, and political fanatic--all with beating hearts and racing minds trying to keep surviving, but unlike the other animals, telling ourselves stories to explain our actions, and to gather support from others who accept or delight in our stories. The stories give rise to all the social institutions that hold us together and push us into opposing factions. Of course, you know that.
There are no narratives that escape the propensity for the strong to dominate the weak. Democracy is an attempt to give the weak a chance to have equal say in making a society. That's the experiment, anyway. It requires participants to accept election results, and to reject physical domination as a means to hold power. The Orange guy and his party are clearly not accepting these rules to the Democracy game, insisting that they must win and be dominant, and this will lead to "the weak" accepting edicts from the strong, which will touch on religion, bodily autonomy, foreign alliances, and who will next be in our sights. There is no promise of disarmament, equal rights, protection of the vulnerable, respect for the environment, or safeguards against abuse of power to be found. If I am chummy and polite to the anti-democratic half who rule by strength, there is no reason to think they won't cut every tree, burn every pound of coal, and dominate every legal institution just because I am planting seeds of doubt in a few minds. As far as it goes, I am already chummy and polite and conversational with people who will be voting republican this fall. I'm not changing anyone.
It's easy to find moral and logical fault in science and politics, regardless of era or party. This isn't a case of Democrats just not understanding the pain and anguish of the other side. The other side has decided democracy isn't working for them, that they need not accept election results they don't like, and that in the end, they are willing to use their overgrown arsenals. My nephew owns a safe full of every size weapon. He works for FEMA. Go figure.
But of course, this all ego, and we don't need to engage in the human power struggle. Nature is a refuge. Until they come for Nature, which they will. After everyone else.
For what it's worth, if I strip away the various socially-created narratives from your life, I don't see merely a father but a man who chooses to participate in the dance of evolution: who nestles lettuce and pepper plants together and lovingly selects the most beautiful and flavorful recombinations that will perpetuate and evolve indefinitely into the future, leaving a lasting mark upon co-creation. I see a man who provides homes and meals for the birds, who accepts the English sparrows and ground squirrels unless they truly cause harm, who notices the small insects and soaring hawks and shifts in the wind. I suppose you might say that that, too, is a story that can be stripped away. But to me, stories based upon engagement and participation in the living biosphere that birthed us are more real and enduring than those based upon the beliefs and structures of human minds.
With regard to the current political polarity, the strong dominating the weak is one possible framework. I have met others who view it primarily through a lens of patriarchy or racism. I would not argue that there are some who truly do view it that way and simply wish for unbridled power, but more often I find that the other team believes the opposite story: that it is their opponents who are the strong suppressing the weak and so they need their guns and their stories as a defense. And while it may not be easy, I prefer to drop the assumption that I know their true motivations until I have had a chance to listen deeply and see the world through their eyes.
Only just read this Mark. A great read.
I'm having to broach a lot of this subject matters with a friend who is turning increasingly militant as regards immigration here in the UK and particularly the 'threat of mass migration of Islam'. It is made more difficult to argue when even Jung acknowledged that the projection of an 'other' to be feared has to have a 'real' hook to hang itself on. Nothing is black and white and often there is something to at least be wary/mindful/concerned about from which fear can grow - got any thoughts on dealing/handling this?