Mary, this is wonderful. A visceral reminder of who we really are and where we really are. A call to break the spell and see the conditioning and the role-playing. I especially love the line about the 'liminal greenroom where costumes fall and undressed souls emerge'. It more of us could remember, more of the time, that that is where we are all headed, we could write a different ending. Or maybe we could just live out the same story but with a different sense of meaning, and profounder connecction to the realities behind. May that, even, would be enough.
I'm so grateful for your comment, Michael, and your high praise. Either of your proffered possibilities -- a different ending, or a more profound connection -- would answer my prayers. So the trick is... how do we help more of the world, more of the time, remember?
Continuous, compassionate, creative, messages! And receptivity, and respect. And a blend of poetry an reason…. But why am I saying that, when it is what you already do?
Another perspective though, to help us in that task, came to me through the work of psychologist Mattias Desmet. I had been interested for maybe a year and a half already in the phenomenon of mass-psychosis, investigated from the middle of the twentieth century by Arendt, Jung and others, when, in summer of 2022, Desmet published a masterful book on it. Many dimensions to his insights on where we are, but the relevant one here, with regard to ‘how do we help more of the people remember more of the time is this: when the world cyclically becomes mad, and self-destructive, and polarised etc, the population typically divides into three groups. Group A loses confidence in its own judgement and becomes hypnotised by emerging, and essentially crazy narratives (and / or is to afraid to go against those narratives, not matter how crazy or unreal). Group B says, hey, this narrative is crazy! And starts to speak out vocally against it. And Group C (usually the biggest group) senses that something is wrong, but lacks the confidence to speak out, or is simply hesitant in the face of confusion, political pressure and so on. This for me was illuminating. I realised that trying to persuade Group A to change their view just makes them dig in deeper, and should not be attempted. And I realised that if one can identify people of Group C among one’s own acquaintances, they are in fact (especially over time) amenable to new information, facts, perspectives, so long as those are not rammed down their throats. I have seen a lot of those (some even not known to me personally, but visible in the media) shifting their views. Another thing highlighted by years of research on this, summarised by Desmet, is that while in the worst case Group A will gradually come to support atrocities (the basis of totalitarianism, which cannot occur without support a a large percentage of the population), and while they will not change their essential standpoint, the mere existence of a regularly expressed counter-narrative does affect them – and what it does is soften their willingness to support increasingly extreme measures, both in general and against dissenters.
I summarised this in ‘The Witch the War and the Virus’ Part 1. (Part 2 still pending).
We present as actors, stagehands and audience in the drama. Some in the audience see meaning in the lines, others are looking for action. The Great Writer seems to impress its intent but not content to temporal writers. Many stories center around the downfall of the villain. The villain feels they have the right to turn any situation to their personal advantage. In this we all exhibit some element of villainy. The more common story center is good vs bad, that is after all an easier way to write. But the Great Writer has deeper intent, shadows of which are captured by great temporal writers. For me, a central meaning contained in most story lines is that ego does not run the world, rather, our collective heart connection to our Creator runs the world. It seems the Great Writer needs to be a bit repetitive before the audience realizes the meaning in the lines.
Well said Sounder - the ego does not run the world, rather the collective heart connection. Next week I will publish a piece exclusively devoted to that message.
If I just saw this on a stage, I would have leapt to my feet in standing ovation. It speaks in the same philosophical language that my own understanding of how we are not separate and get to play every role, including that of the villain. Really, superb. Brava!
Beautiful Mary! My final confirmation that we are in a grand cosmic play was when "they" chose a fella literally called Bill Shakespeare to be the first man to get the 'Rona Jibby Jab. Reincarnation really opens us up to a new world of compassion: for us who currently are granted relatively privileged lives, are we able to put ourselves in the shoes of those who are disproportionately exposed to the sufferings and injustices of this particular drama, knowing that just maybe that was once us (and, who knows, might be us again, if we aren't able to find that compassion here and now).
Very lovely, Mary. Truly, this theatre makes sense somewhere, somehow and if discovering our inherent light - and all that means - is what it's all about, then perhaps when enough of us do that, we can create something truly new on this planet. Thank you. (And your husband.)
Mary, this is wonderful. A visceral reminder of who we really are and where we really are. A call to break the spell and see the conditioning and the role-playing. I especially love the line about the 'liminal greenroom where costumes fall and undressed souls emerge'. It more of us could remember, more of the time, that that is where we are all headed, we could write a different ending. Or maybe we could just live out the same story but with a different sense of meaning, and profounder connecction to the realities behind. May that, even, would be enough.
You are a true poet.
Bravo.
I'm so grateful for your comment, Michael, and your high praise. Either of your proffered possibilities -- a different ending, or a more profound connection -- would answer my prayers. So the trick is... how do we help more of the world, more of the time, remember?
Continuous, compassionate, creative, messages! And receptivity, and respect. And a blend of poetry an reason…. But why am I saying that, when it is what you already do?
Another perspective though, to help us in that task, came to me through the work of psychologist Mattias Desmet. I had been interested for maybe a year and a half already in the phenomenon of mass-psychosis, investigated from the middle of the twentieth century by Arendt, Jung and others, when, in summer of 2022, Desmet published a masterful book on it. Many dimensions to his insights on where we are, but the relevant one here, with regard to ‘how do we help more of the people remember more of the time is this: when the world cyclically becomes mad, and self-destructive, and polarised etc, the population typically divides into three groups. Group A loses confidence in its own judgement and becomes hypnotised by emerging, and essentially crazy narratives (and / or is to afraid to go against those narratives, not matter how crazy or unreal). Group B says, hey, this narrative is crazy! And starts to speak out vocally against it. And Group C (usually the biggest group) senses that something is wrong, but lacks the confidence to speak out, or is simply hesitant in the face of confusion, political pressure and so on. This for me was illuminating. I realised that trying to persuade Group A to change their view just makes them dig in deeper, and should not be attempted. And I realised that if one can identify people of Group C among one’s own acquaintances, they are in fact (especially over time) amenable to new information, facts, perspectives, so long as those are not rammed down their throats. I have seen a lot of those (some even not known to me personally, but visible in the media) shifting their views. Another thing highlighted by years of research on this, summarised by Desmet, is that while in the worst case Group A will gradually come to support atrocities (the basis of totalitarianism, which cannot occur without support a a large percentage of the population), and while they will not change their essential standpoint, the mere existence of a regularly expressed counter-narrative does affect them – and what it does is soften their willingness to support increasingly extreme measures, both in general and against dissenters.
I summarised this in ‘The Witch the War and the Virus’ Part 1. (Part 2 still pending).
I hope your question wasn’t just rhetorical!
We present as actors, stagehands and audience in the drama. Some in the audience see meaning in the lines, others are looking for action. The Great Writer seems to impress its intent but not content to temporal writers. Many stories center around the downfall of the villain. The villain feels they have the right to turn any situation to their personal advantage. In this we all exhibit some element of villainy. The more common story center is good vs bad, that is after all an easier way to write. But the Great Writer has deeper intent, shadows of which are captured by great temporal writers. For me, a central meaning contained in most story lines is that ego does not run the world, rather, our collective heart connection to our Creator runs the world. It seems the Great Writer needs to be a bit repetitive before the audience realizes the meaning in the lines.
Well said Sounder - the ego does not run the world, rather the collective heart connection. Next week I will publish a piece exclusively devoted to that message.
:-)
Looking forward to it, Michael!
If I just saw this on a stage, I would have leapt to my feet in standing ovation. It speaks in the same philosophical language that my own understanding of how we are not separate and get to play every role, including that of the villain. Really, superb. Brava!
Thank you for such a glowing review, Tonika! It means the world to me. Looking forward to furthering our philosophy, together... :-)
Beautiful Mary! My final confirmation that we are in a grand cosmic play was when "they" chose a fella literally called Bill Shakespeare to be the first man to get the 'Rona Jibby Jab. Reincarnation really opens us up to a new world of compassion: for us who currently are granted relatively privileged lives, are we able to put ourselves in the shoes of those who are disproportionately exposed to the sufferings and injustices of this particular drama, knowing that just maybe that was once us (and, who knows, might be us again, if we aren't able to find that compassion here and now).
Absolutely, yes! A concise, eloquent summary. Thank you!
Very lovely, Mary. Truly, this theatre makes sense somewhere, somehow and if discovering our inherent light - and all that means - is what it's all about, then perhaps when enough of us do that, we can create something truly new on this planet. Thank you. (And your husband.)
Thanks for this comment, Kathleen. I couldn't agree more. The search for and maintenance of our "inherent light" is the real work!