Thank you this beautifully written and warm-hearted response to being present, steadfastly relational in essence Sally. Yes, this is surely where repair is happening, in our deeper, even unconscious ontological levels, perhaps more opening-out to remember (as in the dreams) than a reinvention.
Oh my! Those dreams! Your journey! I love the seal!! I shall go to sleep on a wave of your amazing work and elegant words that gone new and needed truths.
“The Earth would be lonely without us” has seared itself into my soul. It allows me to validate my feelings of beauty, compassion, love, truth, commitment, whilst also validating those of despair, fear, anger and horror. It feels like a container in which I can hold all those emotions and more, as I continue on my journey. Your post today helps me see there is a way through this, for all of us. Thank you Sally.
Hi Jane yes its deep in my soul now too, the simplest yet most profound statement which completely changes worldview and human view! we need sensitive and sturdy emotional containers in these times, understanding ourselves as held and holding Earth
Deep thanks, as always, Sally, for the mention! And for drawing our attention to the heart of it all. On that balance between a cosmic or sacred view and an up-close, often-challenging view: I remember an anecdote I once read about a spiritual teacher who said, “Everything is perfect as it is, but there is always room for improvement.“ I looked for the source for years and never found it! To me it’s a daily balance beam exercise: keeping eyes on both perspectives at once, walking as fully as possible in both. (Maybe I should write about this!) And about how we humans make peace with being here, I am grateful to Lyla June Johnston (Diné) who says, “What if I told you that the Earth needs us? What if I told you that we belong here?“ Her words cleared away the last smidgeon of doubt I had that we BELONG on this planet; we are not harming just by existing. I wonder if addressing this guilt would help address climate grief. How much of climate grief is guilt? I wonder what your years of experience suggest about this. Lyla June’s talk: https://youtu.be/eH5zJxQETl4?si=OORcG92r2BaqIcFM
and deep thanks back to you Priscilla! You absolutely should write about this, we so need your stories and perspective of walking in the both and worlds. Yes belonging here is a fundamental medicine for these times, ( which is why I called my newsletter Psyche's Nest!)
I definitely think identifying and releasing guilt does help with grieving ( and with action) although not the same thing. One thing I notice is that young people don't generally feel as guilty as older generations, for many good reasons, but do feel the grief and fear deeply.
Big thanks for link to Lyla's talk , I have heard her speak a few times before, such a powerful voice for us all in these times, looking forward to listening to this one.
So much to love in this post Sally - I recently was also thinking of earth from an outsiders/outerspace perspective - and I love reading your dream of this and the recognition of the chaos you knew you were diving into. I also enjoyed the reminder of tuning into other sources of wisdom to negotiate where we are now. I wish we could just offer the deserved leadership and funding to Indigenous Peoples for so many of our natural resources - the data shows so clearly they know how to navigate and guide what many of us are now grappling to learn, yet they don't get the support or proper leadership they deserve for their caretaking of the natural world.
And thank you so much for linking one of my questions. I spent a lot of time grappling with the complexities of that piece - which interweave with the many complexities we are negotiating in our global systems. I am so honoured that it resonated with you and to be featured here alongside so many writers whose words I also love - as well as your own. Thank you.
Thank you Catriona, I find so much that resonates with me in your writing, its been a joy to connect here. First Peoples voices and teachings so vital now , holding the life supporting knowledge that modernity culture has torn apart. I always try to include an Indigenous voice in each of my posts as a my own small way of elevating what we most need to hear.
Your question is such a significant one for us all right now , really looking forward to your coming posts on this
Noticing the pattern of binarisation into opposites with one 'side' being good and the other to be subjugated is really important, and its hard to get out of, even with awareness that the systems they are part of connect both 'sides'. One would not exist without the other
We may note those who value Gaia, and then decide humans are parasites to be obliterated or pushed down, when we have come from her and are part of her.
On the other side we might note those who don't value Gaia and want to suppress her by human will, again not noting that humans have come from her and are part of her.
Likewise some hold values which split people into Rich and worthy, and poor and virtueless, that split now appears to be ruling government. Yet the rich cannot be rich without others, their labour, their ideas, their purchase, and their tolerance, and the rich cannot be rich without Gaia again.
Systems live with each other and always interconnect - there are no real 'opposites' :).
so very true, its one thing to recognise how dualistic modernity thinking is , another to unpack and trace these polarisations to find us here altogether, thank you for reminding us what ongoig work this is.
Thank you this beautifully written and warm-hearted response to being present, steadfastly relational in essence Sally. Yes, this is surely where repair is happening, in our deeper, even unconscious ontological levels, perhaps more opening-out to remember (as in the dreams) than a reinvention.
Thank you Peter, and yes an opening out, that’s it!
"Both in dream and waking life, I found my way from hopelessness and horror to commitment and care." I love this week's Sally, thank you.
Oh my! Those dreams! Your journey! I love the seal!! I shall go to sleep on a wave of your amazing work and elegant words that gone new and needed truths.
Hope my dreams brought invited in your own dreams of the sea 🐬
“The Earth would be lonely without us” has seared itself into my soul. It allows me to validate my feelings of beauty, compassion, love, truth, commitment, whilst also validating those of despair, fear, anger and horror. It feels like a container in which I can hold all those emotions and more, as I continue on my journey. Your post today helps me see there is a way through this, for all of us. Thank you Sally.
Hi Jane yes its deep in my soul now too, the simplest yet most profound statement which completely changes worldview and human view! we need sensitive and sturdy emotional containers in these times, understanding ourselves as held and holding Earth
Deep thanks, as always, Sally, for the mention! And for drawing our attention to the heart of it all. On that balance between a cosmic or sacred view and an up-close, often-challenging view: I remember an anecdote I once read about a spiritual teacher who said, “Everything is perfect as it is, but there is always room for improvement.“ I looked for the source for years and never found it! To me it’s a daily balance beam exercise: keeping eyes on both perspectives at once, walking as fully as possible in both. (Maybe I should write about this!) And about how we humans make peace with being here, I am grateful to Lyla June Johnston (Diné) who says, “What if I told you that the Earth needs us? What if I told you that we belong here?“ Her words cleared away the last smidgeon of doubt I had that we BELONG on this planet; we are not harming just by existing. I wonder if addressing this guilt would help address climate grief. How much of climate grief is guilt? I wonder what your years of experience suggest about this. Lyla June’s talk: https://youtu.be/eH5zJxQETl4?si=OORcG92r2BaqIcFM
this from Brigid Lowry below:
The quote Priscilla asks about was Zen teacher Suzuki Roshi, I think x
One of my favorites! Thanks, Brigid.
and deep thanks back to you Priscilla! You absolutely should write about this, we so need your stories and perspective of walking in the both and worlds. Yes belonging here is a fundamental medicine for these times, ( which is why I called my newsletter Psyche's Nest!)
I definitely think identifying and releasing guilt does help with grieving ( and with action) although not the same thing. One thing I notice is that young people don't generally feel as guilty as older generations, for many good reasons, but do feel the grief and fear deeply.
Big thanks for link to Lyla's talk , I have heard her speak a few times before, such a powerful voice for us all in these times, looking forward to listening to this one.
So much to love in this post Sally - I recently was also thinking of earth from an outsiders/outerspace perspective - and I love reading your dream of this and the recognition of the chaos you knew you were diving into. I also enjoyed the reminder of tuning into other sources of wisdom to negotiate where we are now. I wish we could just offer the deserved leadership and funding to Indigenous Peoples for so many of our natural resources - the data shows so clearly they know how to navigate and guide what many of us are now grappling to learn, yet they don't get the support or proper leadership they deserve for their caretaking of the natural world.
And thank you so much for linking one of my questions. I spent a lot of time grappling with the complexities of that piece - which interweave with the many complexities we are negotiating in our global systems. I am so honoured that it resonated with you and to be featured here alongside so many writers whose words I also love - as well as your own. Thank you.
Thank you Catriona, I find so much that resonates with me in your writing, its been a joy to connect here. First Peoples voices and teachings so vital now , holding the life supporting knowledge that modernity culture has torn apart. I always try to include an Indigenous voice in each of my posts as a my own small way of elevating what we most need to hear.
Your question is such a significant one for us all right now , really looking forward to your coming posts on this
The quote Priscilla asks about was Zen teacher Suzuki Roshi, I think x
Once again, your wise and inteligent reflections call me to truth, and to examine my own part in the great mystery of being alive.
Gratitude 🙏🙏🙏
Great mystery of being alive, yes !
Noticing the pattern of binarisation into opposites with one 'side' being good and the other to be subjugated is really important, and its hard to get out of, even with awareness that the systems they are part of connect both 'sides'. One would not exist without the other
We may note those who value Gaia, and then decide humans are parasites to be obliterated or pushed down, when we have come from her and are part of her.
On the other side we might note those who don't value Gaia and want to suppress her by human will, again not noting that humans have come from her and are part of her.
Likewise some hold values which split people into Rich and worthy, and poor and virtueless, that split now appears to be ruling government. Yet the rich cannot be rich without others, their labour, their ideas, their purchase, and their tolerance, and the rich cannot be rich without Gaia again.
Systems live with each other and always interconnect - there are no real 'opposites' :).
so very true, its one thing to recognise how dualistic modernity thinking is , another to unpack and trace these polarisations to find us here altogether, thank you for reminding us what ongoig work this is.