Thank you. This thought exercise was beautiful. Our world view is always more nuanced than the guidance we receive. But I honestly believe that how we live can have as big an impact as what we say, read, or write. Born into a large family, the difference between the challenges of us/our versus me/mine is easier to get over than perhaps for a single child. We shared almost everything (yes - including clothing and things handed down from older siblings). I don’t recall being surprised to be around or doing things with people of other skin color or speaking other languages. As a result, the home I grew up in was a “grand central station” of the neighborhood, where everyone met up and hung out. When we travelled to distant states I understood we were there to learn and experience those places, not in the sense of going to a zoo, but as a shared part of living. I did experience others with bigoted attitudes toward my family and others, but my impression was that something was wrong with them; not us. Perhaps those times were simpler than now. I do feel more of an “us versus them” attitude in our world today. I think I am more offended by those leaders who preach and propose division than those who blindly follow it. We raised our children in the this spirit of “anatta” ( without calling it that). We purposefully lived active lives within areas of high ethic and economic diversity and have witnessed the positive results as they matured. But yes, I can see how separation and division of today by political and religious leaders can be taught and experienced by many… and it saddens me. There is still hope because I believe the reverse can also be learned and accepted.
You are so very welcome my friend. As usual you hit the nail on the head with this: "how we live can have as big an impact as what we say, read, or write." When Sarah and I travel, we try so hard to share THEIR way of living, to remind ourselves how similar, but also to learn from those differences. It's changed everything for us. There's always hope, and people like you are helping reinforce that.
Just a short note today to say that speaking of the interconnectedness, the inherent oneness, of kindness and love and grappling with the vastness that is human existence is never a waste (on Sunday or any other day :) ). This human existence is tough, and these are the conversations that foster deep senses of community, growth, support and connection. Thank you for diving in and creating space for such reflections and outlining why, in the vastness that is life, this is truly so important.
I am so so so glad you think this, and see this that way. Thank you for this, it's so lovely to sometimes receive little bursts of reminders that I'm doing something valuable. It gets quiet just typing words onto a blank screen alone so often haha. Thank you, so much.
While the newborn may feel oneness, the feeling of “us” comes from community, however you experience this. It certainly can be more challenging in the modern, urban world. It should be a mindset, a framework for all of our interactions. I think that’s what you meant.
So, we are borderless and yet ... we need boundaries? Can you delve into this?
I think that I became with boundaries when I started to 'remember'. My memories came very early. I have memories of the aftermath of when I was burned [that was at 15 months]. I can remember the 'bed' I was in. I remember the bars and Dad rubbing my back. It's just glimpses. I even remember bits of conversations [especially when our cat was having kittens and we watched [going on 3, I think]. Mom explaining what was happening to us all.]
But I was still without boundaries. I was very sensitive. Still am. But I was an adult when I needed the boundaries [and I mean, in my 40s when I studied Reiki]. Have I separated myself more from the borderlessness by doing this?
Ah, but I see where meditation steps in, and it's been many years since I have meditated regularly. It got all muddled up after my psych hospitalisation. Anxiety killed the stillness. Thoughts of suicide and even homicide stole my quiet. Until the right drug cocktail was found. ... and therapy. Blessed therapy.
Now, maybe I need to reconnect, or is that disconnect, again? And the answer, of course, is a resounding 'yes'. :-)
I love an existential wow ;) My memories also came so early, my Mom and Dad don't understand how I remember things from when I was 1 and 2. And I too, am so intensely sensitive, to all things. ALL. With the meditation, may I suggest just starting with breath, only breath, and forgetting a goal of stillness. Start small, start with just focusing on in 4, hold 4, out 4, and let your thoughts drift if they must, but when they do, catch them and redirect them to the 4,4,4 count. Start here, for weeks, months if needs be. The stillness will return.
Thank you for the tip on the count. I appreciate the hold at the top since that is a moment of stillness for me. Counting can be a thing for me ... a count to six as I pour my coffee—a count of 20 for stirring it, and the like. Not obsessive... just for breakfast mostly. Lol.
Honestly, this hurts my brain to think about. I struggle with the idea of wanting to know more about this concept, and the energy that I put into being a good person and being a positive part of the human race. I would love to know more about Buddhism and I will take the time to study more. Meanwhile, making a positive contribution is my goal.
Thank you. This thought exercise was beautiful. Our world view is always more nuanced than the guidance we receive. But I honestly believe that how we live can have as big an impact as what we say, read, or write. Born into a large family, the difference between the challenges of us/our versus me/mine is easier to get over than perhaps for a single child. We shared almost everything (yes - including clothing and things handed down from older siblings). I don’t recall being surprised to be around or doing things with people of other skin color or speaking other languages. As a result, the home I grew up in was a “grand central station” of the neighborhood, where everyone met up and hung out. When we travelled to distant states I understood we were there to learn and experience those places, not in the sense of going to a zoo, but as a shared part of living. I did experience others with bigoted attitudes toward my family and others, but my impression was that something was wrong with them; not us. Perhaps those times were simpler than now. I do feel more of an “us versus them” attitude in our world today. I think I am more offended by those leaders who preach and propose division than those who blindly follow it. We raised our children in the this spirit of “anatta” ( without calling it that). We purposefully lived active lives within areas of high ethic and economic diversity and have witnessed the positive results as they matured. But yes, I can see how separation and division of today by political and religious leaders can be taught and experienced by many… and it saddens me. There is still hope because I believe the reverse can also be learned and accepted.
Know; two kinds of “us”.
That which includes all of us…
And one that divides.
Know, two kinds of “us”
That which includes everything…
And one that does not.
You are so very welcome my friend. As usual you hit the nail on the head with this: "how we live can have as big an impact as what we say, read, or write." When Sarah and I travel, we try so hard to share THEIR way of living, to remind ourselves how similar, but also to learn from those differences. It's changed everything for us. There's always hope, and people like you are helping reinforce that.
Just a short note today to say that speaking of the interconnectedness, the inherent oneness, of kindness and love and grappling with the vastness that is human existence is never a waste (on Sunday or any other day :) ). This human existence is tough, and these are the conversations that foster deep senses of community, growth, support and connection. Thank you for diving in and creating space for such reflections and outlining why, in the vastness that is life, this is truly so important.
I am so so so glad you think this, and see this that way. Thank you for this, it's so lovely to sometimes receive little bursts of reminders that I'm doing something valuable. It gets quiet just typing words onto a blank screen alone so often haha. Thank you, so much.
While the newborn may feel oneness, the feeling of “us” comes from community, however you experience this. It certainly can be more challenging in the modern, urban world. It should be a mindset, a framework for all of our interactions. I think that’s what you meant.
You hit the nail on the head here. US comes from the beautiful people we connect with.
This was an existential wow for me.
So, we are borderless and yet ... we need boundaries? Can you delve into this?
I think that I became with boundaries when I started to 'remember'. My memories came very early. I have memories of the aftermath of when I was burned [that was at 15 months]. I can remember the 'bed' I was in. I remember the bars and Dad rubbing my back. It's just glimpses. I even remember bits of conversations [especially when our cat was having kittens and we watched [going on 3, I think]. Mom explaining what was happening to us all.]
But I was still without boundaries. I was very sensitive. Still am. But I was an adult when I needed the boundaries [and I mean, in my 40s when I studied Reiki]. Have I separated myself more from the borderlessness by doing this?
Ah, but I see where meditation steps in, and it's been many years since I have meditated regularly. It got all muddled up after my psych hospitalisation. Anxiety killed the stillness. Thoughts of suicide and even homicide stole my quiet. Until the right drug cocktail was found. ... and therapy. Blessed therapy.
Now, maybe I need to reconnect, or is that disconnect, again? And the answer, of course, is a resounding 'yes'. :-)
I love an existential wow ;) My memories also came so early, my Mom and Dad don't understand how I remember things from when I was 1 and 2. And I too, am so intensely sensitive, to all things. ALL. With the meditation, may I suggest just starting with breath, only breath, and forgetting a goal of stillness. Start small, start with just focusing on in 4, hold 4, out 4, and let your thoughts drift if they must, but when they do, catch them and redirect them to the 4,4,4 count. Start here, for weeks, months if needs be. The stillness will return.
Thank you for the tip on the count. I appreciate the hold at the top since that is a moment of stillness for me. Counting can be a thing for me ... a count to six as I pour my coffee—a count of 20 for stirring it, and the like. Not obsessive... just for breakfast mostly. Lol.
Honestly, this hurts my brain to think about. I struggle with the idea of wanting to know more about this concept, and the energy that I put into being a good person and being a positive part of the human race. I would love to know more about Buddhism and I will take the time to study more. Meanwhile, making a positive contribution is my goal.
Positive contribution is always THE goal. So you're already further along than you even know. :)