Updated 3/21/21
The psychological rules says that when an inner situation is not made conscious, it happens outside as fate. That is to say, when the individual remains undivided and does not become conscious of his (her) inner contradiction, the world must perforce act out the conflict...
Death and rebirth. Collapse and reconstruction. Another veil has lifted and many appear to be waking from a dream, again. I had this same feeling during the MeToo movement. Growing up, I was taught not to provoke men’s libido or interest. I was trained to ask things like, “what was she wearing?” And at some point during the fall of 2018, it became crystal clear to me that rape is never, and I mean never, the woman’s fault. And it certainly has nothing to do with sex, it is about power.
The summer of 2020 was another watershed moment with racism, specifically systemic racism. How we were trained to see anyone other than white people as inferior, dangerous, subhuman. It was taught to us through family, school, and policy. And just like the fall of 2018, last year so many woke up seeing the racism clearly. Understanding the whole situation at a deeper and broader perspective. Awakening from the same dream, rebirth.
I am not really interested in talking about either misogyny or racism. I want to talk about power and change. We are in a period of rapid, massive change. It is uncomfortable. It is confusing. And it is fragile. We are fragile.
I believe those who have been oppressed in some way during their lives, and have overcome it through therapy or healing, recognize the markers of oppression and hear the battle cries. We want to keep this movement going.
What is Happening Energetically?
Energetically, oppression is power over and that is a wounded state of the 3rd chakra, the solar plexus. Collectively, human kind has been running this energy for thousands of years. Over the last several hundred years we have been attempting to heal that wound and embody the healthier energy of empowerment, which doesn’t seek to oppress but rather to collaborate. This energetic healing taking place on a world wide stage got its start from individuals healing themselves and writing, teaching, and/or acting from a healthy solar plexus chakra energy. When enough individuals have done this work and are living from this place, then look at the old wounded patterns, poof, the truth catches fire. The 100th monkey effect (see below).
There is still a ways to travel before we reach the 100th monkey but this stage is important. In order to reach critical mass, each individual on the journey of self healing and discovery must continue to move forward on the path.
How We Navigate Forward
The racial and political unrest, the confusion, the pandemic…these are some intense energies and emotions to process. Unfortunately, change doesn’t happen without conflict. And culturally, we don’t handle conflict very well.
Our cultural training in the power over dynamic, sets up an unnecessary us vs them scenario. A scenario where we want certainty before we move forward. And some will want to lead or teach because we are leaders and teachers but all that is happening now is new to our experience. No one can lead and teach with any integrity where we have never been before.
Now is the time to learn the skill of beginner’s mind. Be curious. Be teachable. Be flexible. Be kind. We don’t have the answers right now, that isn’t our job. Our job is to listen, read, watch, learn, and believe that solutions exist that support a safe and cooperative way forward. Our job is to help our communities feel connected and have a sense of responsibility towards one another.
We are in this for the long haul. True change will not occur overnight. The death process can be long and painful. It is important to pace ourselves. Find tools to relax our nervous system. They will save our bodies from burnout and keep our wits about us during stressful encounters or times of extreme uncertainty.
There is still a ways to travel before we reach the 100th monkey but this stage is important. In order to reach critical mass, each individual on the journey of self healing and discovery must continue to move forward on the path. We are in the death process, and rebirth awaits. Press on.
Footnote:
The Hundredth Monkey by Ken Keyes Jr. Published January 1st 1982 by DeVorss & Company / Vision Books
