A note to beloved community
At the time of writing this, its a month after the election. I know a lot of us are feeling dread or maybe numbness about what is coming. The truth is we don't even know what is coming. We can only base it on our experience of the past. And we know from our personal healing that anxiety from past trauma can cause us to live in a state of hypervigilance or disassociation. And though hypervigilance and disassociation are natural protective responses, our tender human bodies, our tender human hearts aren't designed to live in constant hypervigilance or numbness. And yet here we are.
We could see this coming for a while. When death is near, at the end stage, the dying process starts to accelerate. This election perhaps is just the quickening. And yes, it is scary. Because even if we have known that things can't go on like this forever, it is all we have ever known. The world as it is is like a stinky, raggedy security blanket. Facing the unknown is scarier than dealing with the known even if the known is toxic sludge. Does this ring a bell? Have you faced this before?...in your own individual healing journey? That point where staying the same is more unbearable than making change? And yet, when we allow ourselves to let go of comfortable patterns that we have outgrown and take a brave leap into the unknown, we always level up, don't we? But we have probably also seen many people in our lives who don't take the leap. And we witness painfully the downward spiral towards the known end. Right now, that is where we are at collectively. We are on that downward spiral. Probably lots of people, people we love even, are going to choose to go down with the ship. And that is going to be horrible to watch. But each of us gets to choose. In every moment, we have choice. And if enough of us choose healing, I trust that we can still level up. As annoying as wellness culture has become, I do believe there is a reason healing vocabulary has become such a part of the zeitgeist. It's because this is our last chance to get off this sinking ship.
Patriarchy, supremacy, colonialism...all of these systemic oppressions come from ego...from that part of the human psyche that doesn't understand interdependence and connection. The separateness is an illusion....an untruth. Our true Selves are connected...connected to each other, to all Creation, to Source. Ego and systems of oppression thrive on disconnection, separation, and division.
So as we move through these harrowing times, remember that Divide and Conquer is and has always been a very successful strategy of the oppressor. Divisiveness is powerful. It wins elections. It is so easy to appeal to the ego because most of us are so identified with our egos. So in these days to come, we must guard against division. We must continue to build BIPOC solidarity....to understand each other's pain, love each other, take joy in each other's cultures. We need to build solidarity with all those who prioritize Earth, and all those who suffer at the hands of ego-based oppressive systems (all living creatures). Root in Love. Cultivate Love. Nurture Love...wherever and whenever you can. This is some of the most important work we can be doing right now!
Do not let the chaos of the world break you apart and make you ineffective. We need to be as effective as we can be right now. So keeping your body, mind, heart, and spirit strong is some of the most important work you can be doing right now! Get enough rest. Nourish your body. Do your daily practices. You have all the tools! Use them! Use them like all of our lives depend on it. Because they do! Think about how and where you can be most effective. The time is now to put your gifts to use for the world.
A few of my favorite daily rituals during this season:
Breath work. As you breathe into your belly and chest, receive the abundance of nourishment coming to you now. As you breathe out, feel your body reciprocate the gift, sharing from a place of knowing fullness. Stay for 3 or more breaths.
Saving seeds. What foods do you love to eat? What plants activate rich memories in your DNA? What seeds are saving you? You can save the seeds of many overripe fruits, vegetables and dried flower heads. Separate the seeds from the other plant material, rinse thoroughly and leave to airdry. When completely dried, store the seeds in small envelops or make your own containers with what you have. Write down the name of the plant, the year, and intentions that will be planted with each seed. Share your seeds with loved ones and strangers, and our intentions will spread across the world.