DECEMBER 2024 REFLECTIONS.

 

STANDING ON THE EDGE OF LIFE

DECEMBER 2024 BLOG – REFLECTIONS YARO 

 Dear  reader, 

Today I am reflecting on the coming of the final day for 2024. I wonder how many of us are now shopping for a good ham or gifts for family? Has anyone spent some time reflecting on the meaning of Christmas? That a 33-year-old young man was killed on the cross for preaching love? 

 “Well, we may think: “This happened more than 2000 years ago, and we are now a new and more enlightened society. Yes and No is my answer. The current conflicts and wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, demonstrate that our societies continue killing and destroying innocent people. We are still as if STANDING ON THE EDGE! 

This reflection led me to a person who is writing and speaking about sacred ideas to help people attain a more enlightened mind. Her name is Joan Halifax. I am including her summary of her book and recommend you get it and read it as a Christmas message for all humanity today. 

 Standing At the Edge - by Joan Halifax Standing At The Edge explores Joan Halifax’s theory that there are 5 ‘Edge States’ – 5 internal/interpersonal qualities that are keys to leading a compassionate and courageous life. Halifax calls them ‘Edge States’ because over the ‘edge’ they have harmful flipsides. The 5 Edge States are: 

ALTRUISM: EMPATHY, INTEGRITY, RESPECT, and ENGAGEMENT, and their negative counterparts are pathological altruism, empathic distress, moral distress, disrespect, and overwork. There is also a final section on compassion. 

I thought (for various reasons) that Standing At The Edge was going to be about facing death, but I completely misunderstood the premise. I kept reading though because altruism, empathy, integrity, respect, and engagement are qualities I feel make for a good life, and are certainly qualities you need as a caregiver to someone who is dying. So why not. Take what you like and leave the rest.

 How to approach altruism: Direct your altruism from a place of selfless goodness and not out of fear, duty, obligation, or the need for social approval. Altruism aimed at “fixing,” “helping,” or “rescuing,” instead of serving is pathological altruism, which frequently leads to burnout. Notice if you are “othering” the object of your altruism. Aim instead to develop your sense of mutuality and compassion for others. Bear witness to suffering with courage and openness, and respond with care. 

 How to approach empathy: Empathy is our capacity to understand the physical, emotional, or mental experiences of another – to see through their eyes. If we overidentify with suffering, or can’t release the experience, we face empathic distress. Like other stress responses, there may be anxiety and emotional turmoil; we might feel numb or be filled with anger. In most cases, we withdraw. To pull yourself out of empathic distress make sure you are setting limits, offering your empathy unconditionally and without expectation, and recognizing the common good as well (to balance the negative). 

 How to approach integrity: To have integrity is to have a conscious commitment to honor strong moral and ethical principles – to abide by our values. When others violate our moral values we can experience moral suffering. Being unable to right a wrong, witnessing (or participating in) unconscionable acts, or experiencing extreme anger toward those who cause harm are all manifestations of moral suffering. Halifax recommends expanding your inquiry to include those who do the harm. Can you understand the place of suffering they acted from? Can you soften around that understanding? What are your values? Are you living your values? Create a list of your values/principles, and remember to maintain the intention to practice them. If the frustration and anger are directed towards yourself for harming someone else, reset your intention to live your values and take a moment to expand your kindness to include yourself. 

 How to approach respect: Halifax describes respect toward someone as honoring their autonomy and right to privacy, acting with integrity toward them, and being loyal and truthful to them. We can also have respect for principles and values and respect for ourselves. Disrespect may take the form of bullying, hostility toward others, internalized oppression, or exploitation. You can cultivate respect for others by engaging your empathy and compassion. Before speaking, ask yourself if what you’re about to say is true, kind, b

 How to approach engagement: Engagement refers to engagement with our vocation. To be engaged is to be absorbed, energized, and satisfied by our work and service – to be motivated. If pushed too hard though, if working from a place of fear, escapism, or compulsion, we can experience burnout, exhaustion, and cynicism. We get demoralized or feel ineffective. To avoid the burnout of overwork, we must approach our work with appreciation, gratefulness, humor, curiosity, and openness. Focus less on outcomes and more on benefiting others. Work and serve wholeheartedly. A note on compassion Halifax doesn’t think you can overdo it on compassion and that compassion is how to prevent “falling over the edge.” Halifax believes having genuine concern and a desire to end the suffering of others is the most universal source of joy and meaning in life. She describes three kinds of compassion:

 1) Referential compassion – the compassion we feel for others,

 2) Insight-based compassion – the compassion that comes forth from the moral imperative, and 

3) Non-referential compassion – universal compassion when the barrier between self and others dissolves. Throughout Standing At The Edge, Halifax returns to compassion as the way out of suffering

. Joan Halifax Joan Jiko Halifax is an American Zen Buddhist teacher, anthropologist, ecologist, civil rights activist, hospice caregiver, and the author of several books on Buddhism and spirituality. 

 Born: 30 July 1942 (age 82 years), Hanover, New Hampshire, United States Education: Tulane University Lineage: Zen Peacemaker Order; White Plum Asanga Teacher: Seung Sahn, Bernard Glassman, Thich Nhat Hanh   

REFLECTIONS YARO - NOVEMBER 2024

 

                                                                                                         SACRERD  ULURU 

Reflections Yaro blog – November 2024

November derives from the Latin root Novem- meaning “nine,” because in the Roman calendar, there were only 10 months in the year, and November was indeed the ninth month. The word November was first recorded before the year 1000 AD.

For many English speakers, November marks the point in the year when the cold begins to set in. In Australia it is spring and many trees bloom.

Get ready for some gory history: November was the month of heavy animal sacrifice when the early Saxons would stock up on food for the winter. Today, Blōtmōnað might still be a relevant term—particularly during the weeks leading up to that turkey-filled Thanksgiving dinner.

In the southern hemisphere, November is the last month of spring, and in Australia, it means warmer weather and higher spirits as people start to spend more time outside. There are relatively few restricted areas throughout this month.

           Friends on the beach

I am sitting on a green chair in front of my outdoor garden, contemplating the rich soil, preparing the new seedlings for growth, and enjoying the warm sun at 8 a.m.

Since my arrival here from Canada, I am feeling totally blessed and give thanks to my destiny which has allowed me to work and play in many places. The sandy red outback in ULURU, the Barrier Reef in the north of Queensland, and the forests in the West of Queensland and New South Wales.

                                                                                                        Qld interior forest

Here, November may be the most important month in the calendar, because it is the beginning month for the preparation for Christmas and New Year. We expect a very hot summer, and the festivities are outside and mostly holidays on the beach.

If you are planning to visit ULURU, the sacred stone in the middle of the desert, then here is some advice:

                                                                                                                 Kata Tjuta

It will be damn hot, but as long as you respect the heat you will be fine. If you are going to do things like the Kata Tjuṯa walk, do it early in the morning, avoiding the heat of the day, drink lots of water before you set out, and then keep drinking, constant small sips the whole time you are walking. Uluru and Kata Tjuta hold great spiritual significance as they are places where many creation stories converge.

When you look at Anangu's depictions of Uluru, you can clearly see it as a meeting place at the very center, with many pathways and tracks leading to and from it. Each path tells an important story that teaches a vital lesson. I walked around the huge stone because the indigenous people do not permit climbing the stone.

Of course, Queensland is almost as large (in territory) as Europe and there are millions of things to see and visit in November.

                                                                                                     The barrier reef

I hope you will look at the amazing photos here and share them with your friends.

 

 ENJOY!

REFLECTIONS YARO - OCTOBER 2024

 

 

                                         REFLECTIONS ON MY MASTERS

Dear Reader,

October is my favourite month of the year.  In the northern hemisphere, where I studied and worked (Canada), this is when the leaves turn red and golden, and we pick lovely mushrooms in the forest. In the southern hemisphere, we greet springtime – a time to watch the flowers bloom and seeds germinate in my garden and my birthday is on October 30^th.

 

Therefore, it is time to reflect on what I have learned from the many great Mentors, Wise men, and guides in my life. Here are some I have particularly learned from, and they had a deep influence on my life:

 

1.      Jorge Rosner, my gestalt teacher and mentor for over 20 years. Jorge was a student of Dr.  Fritz Perls in Chicago and then at Esalen Institute CA. Jorge established the Toronto Gestalt Institute where we studied for about four years.

 

2.      Alejandro Jodorowsky: Jodorowsky spent almost a decade reconstructing the original form of the Tarot de Marseille. From this work he moved into more therapeutic work in three areas: psychomagic, psychogenealogy and initiatic massage. Psychomagic aims to heal psychological wounds suffered in life. This therapy is based on the belief that the performance of certain acts can directly act upon the unconscious mind, releasing it from a series of traumas, some of which practitioners of the therapy believe are passed down from generation to generation. Psychogenealogy includes the studying of the patient's personality and family tree to best address their specific sources. It is similar, in its phenomenological approach to genealogy, to the Constellations pioneered by Bert Hellinger.

                                                

 

 

3.      Osho: He was an Indian godman, philosopher and founder of the Rajneesh movement.He was viewed as a controversial new religious movement leader during his life. He rejected institutional religions, insisting that spiritual experience could not be organized into any one system of religious dogma. As a guru, he advocated meditation and taught a unique form called dynamic meditation. Rejecting traditional ascetic practices, he advocated that his followers live fully in the world but without attachment to it. In expressing a more progressive attitude to sexuality, he caused controversy in India during the late 1960s and became known as "the sex guru".

 

 

4.      George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (c. 1867 – 29 October 1949) was a philosopher, mystic, spiritual teacher, composer, and dance teacher. Gurdjieff taught that people are not conscious of themselves and thus live their lives in a state of hypnotic "waking sleep", but that it is possible to awaken to a higher state of consciousness and serve our purpose as human beings. The practice of his teaching has become known as "The Work"(connoting work on oneself) and is additional to the ways of the Fakirs (Sufis), Monks and Yogis so that his student P. D. Ouspensky referred to it as the "Fourth Way".

YAROBLOG SEPTEMBER 2024

 

THE GREAT GURUS

MY TWO TEACHERS

Dear reader,

Today Sunday, my day of rest. I will observe and wait while things are forming without anyone foreseeing or preparing. Little by little life is getting richer. Have faith. I will write to you seven positive thoughts. That is what I have learned by studying and experiencing some of the two magnificent teachers that gave me the guidelines to my life. There are many GURUS and most are from Tibet or India but there re also some great teachers in the West.

A. Alejandro Jodorowsky, one great genius!

Jodorowsky is a mystic and a genius. Jodorowsky’s parents were Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. When he was eight years old, the family moved from Tocopilla to Santiago. He enrolled in the University of Chile in 1947 but dropped out two years later. He began writing plays in 1948 and founded an experimental theatre group in 1950.

In 1953 Jodorowsky moved to Paris, where he worked with French mime Marcel Marceau. He made his first film, the short La Cravate (1957; The Severed Heads), about a young man (played by Jodorowsky) who falls in love with the proprietor of a shop where one can swap out one’s head. In the early 1960s Jodorowsky, Spanish-born French author Fernando Arrabal, and French artist and author Roland Topor formed a loose avant-garde movement, Panique, named after the Greek god Pan and dedicated to the shocking and the surreal. Jodorowsky’s most-noted work in that period was the four-hour-long performance “Mélodrame sacrementel” (1965; “Sacramental Melodrama”), in which he slit the throats of two geese, was whipped, and nailed a cow’s heart to a cross, among other bizarre happenings.

Jodorowsky divided his time between Paris and Mexico, where he wrote a series of comic books, Anibal 5 (1966), and wrote and drew a weekly comic strip, Fabulas panicas (1967–73; “Panic Fables”). In 1968 he directed his first feature film, Fando y Lis, which was based on a play by Arrabal. Fando and his paralyzed lover, Lis, journey across a desert and encounter a gang of transvestites, blood drinkers, and a man playing a burning piano. The film caused a public outcry at its premiere at the Acapulco Film Festival and was banned in Mexico. He later developed a kind of therapy called:  Psycho-magic.

B. The second genius I admire is my Mentor Michael Meade. He makes sense when he describes life as an adventure - not only one adventure but TWO! Here is what he writes:

"No matter the conditions around us, there are two great adventures that the soul would have us undertake. Our life-project involves both making a way in the outer world and awakening to the way of being already planted within us as a divine spark-seed. The first adventure of life begins with the first breath we take; it concerns the course of human development that leads to “growing up” and eventually entering the world on our own two feet and establishing ourselves in the marketplace of life. The first arc of adventure requires that we produce something, achieve in some way, and “make something of ourselves.” While following this initial arc we make a life, find a livelihood, and adopt a lifestyle.

On the first adventure we take up the common challenges of life and often do so while following paths that others choose for us. We follow an education track or a career course that “runs in the family” or seems most likely to lead to security or worldly success. Whether we succeed or fail, we become socialized in certain ways that inevitably lead away from the inner design and true aim of our intended personality. For what allows us to adapt to the culture around us most often leads to an over-adaptation in regard to our deeper sense of how to dwell in this world.

The first adventure of life is necessary for us as well as for the culture around us. Yet the deep psyche has a better design than the ego’s plan, the family’s requirements, or the culture’s map. Whereas the first adventure may involve the pursuit of happiness and the recognition that comes from outer accomplishments, the second adventure of life involves the fulfillment of the inner longings and hidden destiny of the soul.

The second adventure aims at a path that leads beyond the concerns of the daily world, yet it is of great importance for the continuance of that world. It involves stepping off the common pathways and going off the map that others have given us.

It involves finding a way that takes us further into life rather than simply adapting to available lifestyles. We are here to decipher and live up to what life asks of us, not what others might ask  us to live up to for them. This idea does not arise from simple rebellion or egocentricity, rather it is the essence of spiritual growth. We all have something to give to the world from our essential nature, and when the world around us becomes dark and increasingly uncertain, it becomes more essential for us to live the adventure of the soul.

The second arc of life involves taking up the inner-directed path and following the thread of destiny that truly orients us to life and to our genuine destination. This more radical path leads to a spiritual journey, not because it is religious in nature, but because it serves the uniqueness in one’s soul, the “spirit that is already there.” The first adventure tends to involve gathering information about the world and common knowledge of how to survive in it. The second adventure involves a kind of “gnosis,” a deeper knowledge of life that becomes available once we awaken to the nature of the inner spark and the greater calling set within the soul. It involves finding and learning to give one’s god-given talents, skills, and gifts in ways that make life in general more meaningful and genuine human community more possible. The second adventure leads to the pursuit of wisdom, the kind of transcendent knowledge that enlivens individual life, nourishes genuine community, and helps re-create culture.

Outer success, common expectations, and evident achievements usually reign over the course of the first arc of life, but the second arc is a deeper venture that values things differently. Our worst failures in the course of life’s first adventure can become the fecund soil from which the second adventure grows. Places of struggle, loss, and suffering can be revalued as the inner arc of awakening revisits core life experiences to reclaim meaning, even from seemingly wasted aspects of life. The key to understanding our true nature often resides where we have fallen the hardest yet somehow have survived. The often avoided places of loss and collapse, of abandonment and rejection, are where the inner light of soul waits to be found. The soul values depth and the darker knowledge of understanding that often grows more from failure than from success. In the dark times it becomes important to value the darker knowledge found in trials and tribulations that reveal the spark burning and glowing within us all along."

Finally here is a list of positive ideas for you to reflect upon. 

1. That seed that we think is intimate, it contains a tree that includes a forest.

2. Let's not despair, not everything is logical, unexpected things happen. There is always the possibility of an encounter we thought was impossible.

3. All that we think we possess, possesses us. We won't be free until we let him go.

4. No memory is entirely true.

5. If you can't solve your problems now, don't let yourself down. The tree withstands the flood by standing upright beneath the water.

6. THIS IS THE SECRET: YOU ARE NOW WHAT YOU WILL BE.

7. We will realize ourselves when we meet a goal that constantly moves away from us.

A. Jodorowsky 

Blessings.

Yaro

AUGUST 2024 BLOG - REFLECTIONS YARO

 

CRAETIVITY AS A CORE VALUE

Dear Reader,

Last week I was part of a group of artists that had an exhibition at the BRISBANE INSTITUTE OF ART curated by Gemma Garcia my dear partner. I am now reflecting on the experience we all had producing our own representation of the Spanish/Catalan  artist - JOAN MIRO.

I was very inspired painting my own representation of Joan Miro, as one of the greats in the history of art who clearly demonstrated his core creativity as an artist.

Therefore, my own reflections are included here as a way of being interviewed regarding CORE CREATIVITY as  a main VALUE we carry when we are involved in ART.

CORE CREATIVITY – YARO STARAK

 

A DEFINITION: A book by  Robert E. Franken: “Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.                                         

 Was creativity valued and encouraged in your home or in school when you were growing up?

Answer: As a child growing up in times of WWII. I do not remember anyone encouraged me to be creative (as per definition) but be creative to survive times in refugee camps and then school in Venezuela a new country of residence for 8 years.

      Who inspired your creativity when you were young?  
       Answer: My uncle (my mother’s brother) who was a journalist and writer and he introduced me to classical music.
      What kinds of dreams and daydreams did you frequently have as a child and in adolescence?
Answer: Most dreams were about the war times, my father who died in communist jail and dreams of success and travel.
       What sort of encouragement, if any, did you get at working at your craft and being creative?
Answer: I do not remember any kind of encouragement outside my mother who kept encouraging me to study and get to University.

       What sort of hard work, rituals and discipline went into working your craft?
Answer: Mostly study at high school and university. 
       Have you ever hit a block or felt you were idling spinning your wheels creatively?
        if so what did you do to break through? Answer: Not to my knowledge
       How do you know when to shift from crafting something to walking away from it for a while or getting some new ideas from someplace else to shake things up.?
    Answer: Usually take time off and do something else and not feel frustrated.
   Do you feel your creativity was a gift and did it flow naturally, or did you have to work it or both?
   Answer: It all came naturally and spontaneously.
   Have you found the creativity you use in your art helps you in the other areas of your life: strategizing about your career or being in a relationship, is there a cross over? Can you tell me about the crossovers?
    Answer: My artwork came late in my life. Painting started when I retired from teaching at the University. I was inspired by an old mentor and later by the Australian artist Ben Quilty.
   Are there times in your life where you are more or less creative, and do you see any patterns there When you feel less creative what do you do?
    Answer: I take time to get involved in other things like private therapy practice and writing books and writing poetry.
   Do you do something specific to enter the zone - what we call core creativity, or does it happen naturally? Or do you do something to set you up to enter the zone.?
    Answer: Usually my creative urges come naturally and spontaneously. When I get inspired (soul work).
   Does any form of meditation and or spiritual practice play a role in your creative process.? Answer: I explored meditation practices for many years and even visited spiritual (Tibetan and Zen)groups but now do not feel a need to meditate to be creative or enter the zone of creative work.
   Do you ever feel that you are tapping into a source greater than yourself? Are there specific things you do to set the stage for that?
   Answer: My greatest mentors are the spiritual teachers like Dalai Lama, Bill Plotkin (soulcraft) and the many Zen teachers.
   How do you let go of any fear that you can’t top a prior greatest success and keep creating? Answer: The idea of SURRENDER is my guide.
   How does creativity play into your capacity to be collaborative?
    Answer: I spent most of my teaching career working with groups and teams. I really enjoy a group that inspire each other.
   Is there anything you want to say about creativity and your creative process before we end this interview.?

Answer: I am attaching an article on: Art and Creativity in Gestalt Therapy by:  N A N C Y  A M E N D T - L Y O N, Ph.D. That is very creative and inspiring.

 

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/31220728/art-and-creativity-in-gestalt-therapy-gestalt-international-study.

 

 

 

IMAGINATION AND THE MODERN WORLD - JULY 2024

                             

IMAGINATION IN OUR MODERN WORLD

 Dear reader,

In this July section of my blog - reflections Yaro, I am inspired by the word IMAGINATION. We all think that this word if worth knowing (the meaning) but few people really know about this amazing principle. So I am quoting,below, my Mentor Michael Meade and offer to all readers his wissdom and his mythology. So, reflect now - WHAT IS IMAGINATION?

Imagination is an essential component of human existence, a driving force behind creativity, innovation, and progress. In our modern culture, where technology and information dominate, the need for imagination has never been more critical. It is imagination that allows us to envision a future that transcends current limitations, fosters empathy and understanding, and nurtures the creative problem-solving necessary to address the complex challenges of our time.

At its core, imagination is the ability to form new ideas, images, or concepts not present to the senses. It enables individuals to visualize possibilities beyond the immediate reality, to dream, and to innovate. In the fast-paced, ever-evolving landscape of modern society, this capacity is indispensable. The rapid advancement of technology, while beneficial, also brings about new challenges and uncertainties. To navigate this dynamic environment, we must harness the power of imagination to foresee potential outcomes, anticipate needs, and devise innovative solutions.

One of the most apparent areas where imagination is crucial is in the field of technology. The digital age is characterized by constant technological innovation, from artificial intelligence and machine learning to virtual reality and biotechnology. These advancements stem from the imaginative minds of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who envision new ways to solve problems and improve lives. For instance, the creation of the internet, smartphones, and social media platforms all began as imaginative ideas that revolutionized the way we communicate and access information.

Moreover, imagination is not only pivotal in creating new technologies but also in ensuring they are used ethically and responsibly. As we develop increasingly powerful tools, we must consider their potential impacts on society, privacy, and the environment. Imagination allows us to foresee possible consequences and devise frameworks for ethical use, ensuring that technological progress benefits humanity.

In addition to technology, imagination plays a significant role in the arts and culture. Art, literature, music, and film are all products of imaginative thought, reflecting and shaping the human experience. These creative expressions offer more than just entertainment; they provide insights into the human condition, foster empathy, and encourage critical thinking. In a world where we are often bombarded with information, the arts offer a necessary respite, a chance to reflect, and an opportunity to explore different perspectives.

The importance of imagination in education cannot be overstated. Traditional education systems often emphasize rote learning and standardized testing, which can stifle creativity and limit imaginative thinking. However, fostering imagination in students is essential for developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence. By encouraging curiosity and creative exploration, educators can cultivate a generation of innovative thinkers capable of addressing the multifaceted problems of the future.

Imagination is also vital in the realm of social progress and human rights. Many of the advancements in civil rights, gender equality, and environmental sustainability have been driven by individuals and movements that dared to imagine a better world. Visionaries like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Greta Thunberg have inspired change by articulating powerful, imaginative visions of justice, equality, and sustainability. These leaders demonstrate that imagination is not just a tool for personal growth but a catalyst for collective action and societal transformation.

In the business world, imagination fuels entrepreneurship and economic growth. Successful entrepreneurs often possess a unique ability to envision new products, services, and business models that meet emerging needs and desires. Companies like Apple, Google, and Tesla were built on the imaginative ideas of their founders, who dared to think differently and challenge the status quo. In a competitive global market, the ability to innovate and adapt is crucial for long-term success, making imagination an invaluable asset for businesses and economies.

Furthermore, imagination enhances our ability to connect with others on a deeper level. By imagining ourselves in someone else’s shoes, we can develop empathy and understanding, which are essential for building meaningful relationships and fostering a sense of community. In a world that is increasingly interconnected yet often divided, the ability to empathize with others and appreciate diverse perspectives is more important than ever. Imagination allows us to bridge gaps, overcome prejudices, and work collaboratively towards common goals.

Environmental sustainability is another critical area where imagination is needed. The pressing challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss require innovative solutions that rethink our relationship with the planet. Imaginative thinking can lead to the development of sustainable technologies, green energy sources, and conservation strategies that mitigate environmental impact and promote a harmonious coexistence with nature. By imagining a sustainable future, we can inspire action and create a path towards environmental resilience.

In addition, imagination is a vital component of modern culture, underpinning creativity, innovation, and progress across various domains. It empowers us to envision and create a better future, navigate technological advancements ethically, enrich our cultural and artistic expressions, foster empathy and understanding, drive social and economic progress, and address environmental challenges. As we continue to navigate the complexities of the modern world, nurturing and harnessing the power of imagination will be essential for building a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous society. Imagination is not a luxury but a necessity, a fundamental human trait that enables us to transcend our current limitations and reach for a brighter, more hopeful future. Michael Meade, my mentor wrote an article about imagination that I am quoting here:

 

“ It is the ancient idea that nothing exists until it passes through imagination. Imagination is not simply a subjective inner capacity; rather, it is a genuine force of life. In this old way of seeing, the increase of conflicts and intensification of hate in the world can be seen as a loss of soul and a lack of genuine imagination.

At a time when modern cultures can be seen to be unraveling and the sense of the shared suffering of humanity so quickly turns into hatred for whoever can be deemed as the “other,” genuine imagination is not just increasingly important, but can be seen as the redeeming factor for both the individual human soul and for human culture as a totality.

Although viewing life in literal terms has become a habit for many, it ultimately gives us a false sense of security and keeps us blind to the knowledge we most need when the world around us keeps changing. In the ancient world, myth could mean emergent truth, and mythic imagination was understood to be the primary way in which the human mind and the human heart could connect or reconnect to the universal truths underlying all of reality.

Lacking a renewed sense of genuine imagination, the modern world will continue to divide and fall apart. For what is missing in most cases is not simply a lack of the resources needed to change things, but a tragic lack of the imagination required to awaken to a greater, more inclusive visions of reality. For, it is the intermediating function of imagination that makes it possible to unite otherwise opposing states, such as the objective and the subjective, religion and science, or any pair of antithetical ideologies.

Imagination has always been the unifying force in the human psyche, the inherent function that precedes thought, but also follows the body's inner ways of knowing and being. Imagination is the key that opens us to all that is immeasurable, creative, and healing in life. For that reason, imagination has been called the deepest power of the human psyche.

The power of imagination, which is part of the natural inheritance of each soul, has surprising and indelible capacities for creativity and renewal. By the virtue of imagination, we see with penetrating insights and creative vision, not the delusions of fantasy, but the surprise of revelation. The point is to allow the immediate powers of myth and imagination to give us a poetic grasp of our own lives and the events of the world. Without such a mythic sense, the world becomes increasingly divided, and we can become overwhelmed by conflicts both inner and outer. As the collective sense of unity collapses, the uniqueness within each person's soul becomes the essential source of the unifying imagination needed to sustain and renew life.”

 

 

Let us be creative!

STORMS OF EMOTIONS - JUNE 2024

STORMS OF EMOTIONS

 

Dear reader,

This June blog is a reflection about Emotions and especially FEAR. Many authors today speak and write about the extremely complex events and crisis that are spreading all over the world with little end in sight. War in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, African governments and even a place like Haiti are experiencing fear and death and annihilation. 

My reflections for June.

In today's rapidly evolving world, a pervasive sense of social fear is gripping many individuals and communities. This fear is fuelled by a multitude of factors, including economic uncertainty, political instability, climate change, and the relentless stream of information and misinformation on social media. The ubiquitous nature of these stressors has heightened collective anxiety, making fear a dominant force in our daily lives. This fear manifests in strong emotions such as anger, sadness, and helplessness, which can significantly impact our mental health and social interactions. The emotional intensity of fear can drive people to seek out security and certainty, sometimes leading to divisive and reactionary behaviours.

Managing these strong emotions requires a multifaceted approach. First, awareness and acknowledgment of our fears are crucial steps in mitigating their impact. By recognizing what we are afraid of, we can begin to address the root causes rather than simply reacting to the symptoms. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can help in regulating emotional responses and reducing stress. Additionally, fostering open communication and building supportive communities can provide a buffer against the isolating effects of fear. It is also important to critically evaluate the information we consume, prioritizing credible sources and avoiding sensationalist content that amplifies fear. By adopting these strategies, we can cultivate resilience and maintain a balanced perspective in the face of widespread social fear.

Fear as Emotion

Fear is a powerful and complex emotion that can significantly influence both society and individual lives. It has evolutionary roots designed to protect us from danger, but in modern contexts, it can have a wide range of consequences.

Fear in Society

1. Social Control and Politics:

   - Manipulation and Control: Governments and political groups can use fear to influence public opinion and behaviour. For example, fear of terrorism, crime, or economic instability can lead to increased support for policies that promise security, sometimes at the expense of civil liberties.

   - Polarization: Fear can drive societal divisions by amplifying differences and fostering distrust among groups. This can lead to increased polarization, where people align more strongly with those who share their views and become more hostile towards those who do not.

2. Economic Impact:

   - Consumer Behaviour: Fear can affect consumer confidence and spending. During times of economic uncertainty, people may save more and spend less, which can slow economic growth.

   - Investment: Fear in financial markets, often manifesting as panic selling, can lead to significant economic downturns. Fear of inflation, recession, or market volatility can cause investors to pull out of markets, exacerbating economic issues.

3. Public Health:

   - Response to Health Crises: Fear can lead to both positive and negative responses to health crises. For instance, fear of disease can encourage individuals to adopt healthy behaviours, such as vaccination and sanitation. However, it can also lead to stigma, discrimination, and misinformation, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fear in Personal Life

1. Mental and Physical Health:

   - Stress and Anxiety: Chronic fear can lead to long-term stress and anxiety disorders. This, in turn, can affect physical health, contributing to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems, and weakened immune systems.

   - Avoidance and Isolation: Fear can cause individuals to avoid certain activities, places, or people, leading to social isolation and a reduced quality of life.

2. Decision Making and Behaviour:

   - Risk Aversion: Fear can make people overly cautious and risk-averse, potentially hindering personal growth and opportunities. This might manifest as reluctance to change jobs, start a business, or engage in new relationships.

   - Procrastination: Fear of failure or criticism can lead to procrastination and avoidance behaviour, impacting productivity and personal achievements.

3. Relationships:

   - Trust Issues: Fear, particularly stemming from past traumas or insecurities, can affect personal relationships. It can lead to trust issues, jealousy, and communication problems.

   - Conflict: Fear can also lead to defensive behaviours and misunderstandings in relationships, escalating conflicts and potentially leading to breakdowns in communication and connection.

 

 Mitigating the Effects of Fear

1.  Education and Awareness:

   - Increasing public awareness about the nature and effects of fear can help mitigate its impact. Educational programs that promote critical thinking and emotional intelligence can empower individuals to manage their fears more effectively.

2. Mental Health Support:

   - Access to mental health resources, such as counseling and therapy, can help individuals address and manage their fears. Normalizing conversations about mental health can reduce the stigma and encourage more people to seek help.

3. Community and Social Support:

   - Strong community networks and social support systems can help individuals feel safer and more secure. Building inclusive and supportive communities can reduce the fear of social isolation and promote collective well-being. 

4. Positive Leadership:

   - Leaders who promote transparency, empathy, and trust can help alleviate societal fears. Effective communication and compassionate policies can build public confidence and reduce the manipulation of fear for political or economic gain.

 

 Conclusion

Fear is an inherent part of human experience, but its consequences can be profound in both societal and personal contexts. Understanding the mechanisms of fear and implementing strategies to address it can lead to healthier, more resilient individuals and societies. By fostering education, mental health support, community building, and positive leadership, we can mitigate the negative impacts of fear and harness its potential to drive positive change. 

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