THE WAR WITHIN A WAR

 

THE WAR WITHIN A WAR

Dear reader

We are coming to the final month of 2023, and I am reflecting on the many things that happened over this year. Some are very good events, and some were bad events but all events that we all experienced lead us to learning and to become more to be resilient and find ways to become a better human being. Please reflect: What is your gift to the global human needs?

The wars in Gaza and Ukraine are only a small example of other evil events and deadly wars conducted by psychopathic leaders that are torturing and killing people of all ages just to remain in power and fill up their greed.

My own example here is Putin, as a psychopath who does not stop to not only bombarding Ukraine but also forcing Russian  young people to go to battle for no other reason than to fill his needs to become the “ZAR” our of all Russia.

Michael Meade, my mentor, speaks of War within a War as he describes Putin as the mythological God Cronus. He says that Putin is waging a war also with the Russians that suffer from his lies and false propaganda.  Therefore, the suffering of some people requires the suffering of all people.  We all think of good intentions and to hope and believe that things may be better, but we are at odds with the evil premiering every part of the world. We all suffer like the Ukrainian people suffer as the bombs and killings that destroy towns and many leave their country. It is hard to balance and avoid so much evil that can exist yet, we hope for peace for all in the future, as our parents witnessed the fall of the Nazi Germany.

Yet we know that many Ukrainians are standing up and fighting for freedom and truth for all with a kind of nobility of spirit that can only come from the human soul, the human soul that values truth meaning and beauty and the fullness of a good life.

My reflection is based on Mead’s podcast where he speaks of Putin and is reflecting on the fight for truth and beauty that is not only in Ukraine that also these things are happening also in Russia, where people themselves are protesting but are quickly imprisoned and then many are simply staying passive, and Putin gets all day glory he wants.

This reminds me, as I am reflecting here of Cronos, the God of the ancient Greeks that devoured his children so that they would not grow up and take over his power.

Cronus learned from Gaia and Uranus that he was destined to be overcome by his own children, just as he had overthrown his father. As a result, although he sired the gods Demeter, Hestia, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon by Rhea, he devoured them all as soon as they were born to prevent the prophecy. When the sixth child, Zeus, was born, Rhea sought Gaia to devise a plan to save them and to eventually get retribution on Cronus for his acts against his father and children. (Wikipedia)

 

We must reflect on the CORE ideals of humanity that come to light during the dark times. Do not despair and stay positive, not passive, but stay in the struggle for truth and beauty. We are capable to transform and grow more AWAKE.

HOPE is like a butterfly, it is very beautiful and at the same time very delicate. The podcast is a gift for the New Year and please listen to the podcast below.

THE WISDOM of the BUTTERFLY

Michael Meade

Click here to listed the podcast

This episode of Living Myth looks at both the need to transform and our resistance to change through the lens of the metamorphosis of butterflies. The fact that the Greek word psyche means butterfly implies how we are secretly connected to the essential dynamic of transformation in life. As if compelled by the primordial poetics of transformation, scientists named the cells that carry the potential for a true transformation of the caterpillar “imaginal cells.”

The capacity of the imaginal cells to develop into a butterfly and transform life completely is related to the inner capacity of the human soul to also transform repeatedly in the course of life. In the same sense that the imaginal cells hold all the information and energy for the butterfly to be, there is core imagination and deeper self trying to awaken in the soul of each person.

At the same time, something within us resists changing, even when the time for transforming our lives has come. In the mysterious way of the world, the metamorphosis of the butterfly also offers ways to understand why we resist the exact changes we most need in order to transform ourselves and help change the world. In simple biological terms, an exchange of one kind of cell for a different kind of cell changes a crawling caterpillar to a winged butterfly. In terms of understanding the essential dynamic of change in the world and at the core of the human soul, a great mystery is revealed that can be called the wisdom of the butterfly.

REFLECTIONS YARO - AUGUST 2023

 

LONELINESS IN MEN

                                                                   

Dear reader,

Recently I read an article on the topic of loneliness.The authors stated that 45% of men in Australia suffer of loneliness and deprivation of contact with others.

I am reflecting now on this matter as I am very aware of this large number of men who come to me for counselling almost every day and tell me how disconnected and lonely, they are. Some say that one way of dealing with this issue is consume more alcohol to calm themselves down and not to fall into serious depression. So, I question this: if depression so common in men is it a cause of being lonely?

Alone is different, being alone is a positive state where we withdraw from any contacts on purpose and spend time in meditation end retreat to regenerate our spirit and soul. Yet loneliness is somehow considered a problem in our society.

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Here is a definition of Loneliness:

Loneliness is an unpleasant emotional response to perceived isolation. Loneliness is also described as social pain – a psychological mechanism which motivates individuals to seek social connections. It is often associated with a perceived lack of connection and intimacy. Loneliness overlaps and yet is distinct from solitude. Solitude is simply the state of being apart from others; not everyone who experiences solitude feels lonely. As a subjective emotion, loneliness can be felt even when a person is surrounded by other people. Hence, there is a distinction between being alone and feeling lonely. Loneliness can be short term (state loneliness) or long term (chronic loneliness). In either case, it can be intense and emotionally painful.

The causes of loneliness are varied. Loneliness can be a result of genetic inheritance, cultural factors, a lack of meaningful relationships, a significant loss, an excessive reliance on passive technologies (notably the Internet in the 21st century), or a self-perpetuating mindset. Research has shown that loneliness is found throughout society, including among people in marriages along with other strong relationships, and those with successful careers. Most people experience loneliness at some points in their lives, and some feel it often. The effects of loneliness are also varied. Transient loneliness (loneliness which exists for a short period of time) is related to positive effects, including an increased focus on the strength of one's relationships. Chronic loneliness (loneliness which exists for a significant amount of time in one's life) is generally correlated with negative effects, including increased obesity, substance use disorder, risk of depression, cardiovascular disease, risk of high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Chronic loneliness is also correlated with an increased risk of death and suicidal thoughts.

Medical treatments for loneliness include beginning therapy and taking antidepressants. Social  and counselling treatments for loneliness generally include an increase in interaction with others, such as group activities (such as exercise or religious activities), re-engaging with old friends or colleagues, and becoming more connected with one's community. Other social treatments for loneliness include the ownership of pets and loneliness-designed technologies, such as meetup services or social robots (although the use of some technologies to combat loneliness is debated). (Wikipedia)

Here are some ideas and actions to deal with loneliness.

Don’t be afraid to reach out - It might sound obvious, but the best place to look for a friend is the friend’s you already have or have had in the past. Reaching out to someone you already know can be intimidating and hard but it is also the shortest route to authentic connection. Keep in mind:

Most people appreciate when an old friend or former colleague reaches out to say hello. Life gets busy, and just because they haven’t said hello to you, it doesn’t mean they don’t want to connect.

Re-establishing a connection is much easier than starting a new one - you’ve already got things to catch up on, shared interests, or old stories to laugh at.

It can be easier to start a conversation with old colleagues, friends of friends, or that interesting person you once met, compared with people you don’t know at all.

Try reaching out to someone you already know. If they don’t reply, or don’t want to connect, don’t be disheartened, it’s likely more of a reflection of their busyness than it is on you.

More ideas for you:

• Schedule activities

• Stay occupied

• Practice gratitude

• Revisit your relationship with social media.

• Practice self-care – yoga & meditation

• Spend time outdoors 

• Set a daily routine

• Try to look forward to alone time

Here is a recent ABC article that you may read in this link and reflect on your own time.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-14/middle-aged-men-experiencing-high-level-loneliness/102563492?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

 

RFLECTIONS YARO - JULY 2023 - THE WARRIOR

THE WARRIOR ARCHETYPE

 I am now reflecting about what sort of processes in human cultures that create conflicts among people and nations. Why do we continue to experience armed conflicts almost globally today? Why do we continue to experience so many tragedies and no peace talks no arrangements between nations have been helpful. Ask the leaders of Israel and Palestine, African nations, and Russia… In this almost infinite fight they all claim victory over the other but who is the “other”?

 Many aggressive nations use evil propaganda to convince people that the other is a bad one and must be eliminated and in in this way, leaders enter the role of the archetype of the warrior. The warrior role is to fight and win at all costs.

However, some warriors are meant to defend their nation and save people from disasters.

Today my own inspiration of the warrior archetype and protector of the people is the Ukrainian president ZELENSKY. He began to lead Ukraine in 2019 and he not only is a well-seasoned warrior by now, but also a great communicator to his people. He is the leader that pushed Russia away from Ukrainian borders despite their much superior military organisation.

President Zelensky, in his earlier career as an actor off stage and television in Ukrainian sitcoms, became popular already to all Ukrainians. It is interesting that destiny meant to place him as an actor on the world stage defending the Ukrainian people.

Going back to the warrior archetype, here is a quote about the meaning of the warrior from the Jungian perspective:

 

THE WARRIOR ARCHETYPE: MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE WORLD

“The Warrior in his fullness, the mature Warrior, creates order, sets boundaries, and goes out into the world and gets things done. The mature Warrior often has these qualities:

He knows his job is to act in the world in service to the people.

He sets boundaries. He does this with clear understanding of the concept of difference: of an innate knowing about “This is where I stop, and you begin”. He knows how to set a boundary and the difference between “yes” and “no”. He knows what he would die for, and he’s clear about what he would defend to the death.

He tends to see things in black or white. His may be a binary world. Clarity is everything. That way he knows with certainty what needs to be done.

He may act without feeling to get things done. Examples of this include the way fire fighters go into a burning building to save people. This is true Warrior energy: act first, feel the feelings later – if necessary. 

His principles as a Warrior are action, service, loyalty, and justice.

He needs a cause to believe in and fight for.  His cause might be something he believes in on a personal level, or it might be the King’s mission of service in the world. He is motivated to act.

He believes in the motto “Protect and Serve.”

When boundaries are crossed, he reacts with force and goes on the offensive (or defensive). Another expression of his energy is the masculine energy he takes into the world to get things done. Yet another is assertiveness. He knows how to channel the very energy of life, of vitality, for the benefit of those he serves and for himself.” (Wikipedia).

President Zelensky perfectly fits the role of the warrior archetype as described above and I'm looking forward as the final winner of the horrible war that Russia has created since about two years ago.

In order to make this story more “alive” to the readers, I am attaching here a podcast by my mentor Michael Mead where he speaks elegantly about the conflicts in Ukraine from the mythological understanding of human nature, he points out that beauty truth and justice are values that all people deserve and the warrior archetypes is present right now to heal this tragedy.

 

Listen to the podcast: The war within the war 

LA CALAVERA - MAY 2023 BLOG

 

MAY 2023 BLOG - LA CALAVERA

 

Dear Reader,

I am now writing this blog on Australian Labour Day holiday and reflecting on the May events like Mother’s Day and my son’s birthday. There are many non-celebrations in the world today as the war in Ukraine that is in its second year where men, women and children are hurt and dying every day.

This brings me to reflect about birth, development and death and re-birth as a cycle in Nature that is present everywhere. Writing this blog, I found a story that is very popular in Mexico and retold on the Día de Los Muertos (day of the dead) when people go to the cemeteries and celebrate death.

I found a story of LA CALAVERA (the skeleton lady) told by Dr. Clarissa Pikola Estes. She has worked with facilities caring for severely injured 'cast-away' children, 'shell-shocked' war veterans (now called Post Trauma Distress Syndrome), and their families. Her teaching of writing in prisons began in the early 1970s at the Men's Penitentiary in Colorado; the Federal Women's Prison at Dublin, California, and in other 'locked institutions.'

The Calavera story is meant to be a heling and a positive view of Death so that we can find solace and abandon fear and anxiety about this inevitable event in life. She is also called “La Catrina”. Here is a quote from an article by Kimberley Estrada “La Catrina symbolizes the cycle of life, and serves as a reminder to enjoy life, but also embrace death. She is a sacred symbol of the Mexican celebration, Día de Muertos. A historical figure who has been honoured in Mexican culture for centuries. She has been represented in various forms throughout history, but is most commonly recognized as a tall, female skeleton who wears a fancy hat with feathers.” Here is her short story:

There was a man who lost his wife as she gave birth to a lovely baby boy. He wanted to find a good god-mother for his boy and as he walked the sacred path, he met the Devil who offered to be the godfather, the man stated that he is looking for a godmother and the Devil is  someone that tends to show you good  times but very bad at other times and he kept walking. He then met the god of memory and  also refused the offer because memory tends to fail you  by forgetting things. Then he met the rain god who was very kind but water kept pouring down his face and the father said his thanks and kept walking until far in the forest, he met a lady dressed in colourful outfit and a smile that was very kind and open and she introduced herself as LA CALAVERA . She offered to be good godmother to the child and teach him magic healing skills when he is an adult. The father agreed to the deal and was glad to have a good go-mother and also a good teacher for his don.

Years went by and the child grew up into a very capable man with many healing skills. The only malaise he could not heal was Death. He went to see his godmother and begged her to teach him this healing. She stated that as his god-mother, she is obliged to teach him the skill and told him that when he meets a patient in bed sick, he must look where she is standing. If she is at the top of the bed, it means that the patient must die but if she is standing at the bottom of the bed, then the patient will recover, and he must give the patient a certain herb tea to drink.

Soon the word was out about the great healer and many people went to seek him for cures. One day the soldiers came to see him and stated that the King is very ill and asked for him. He rushed to the castle and found the king in bed looking very ill. The king asked for help and if he is cured, he will give the healer half of the kingdom. But the healer saw Death was at the head of the bed and that meant the king must die. So, being very resourceful, he turned the bed around so death was at the bottom of the king’s bed, and he gave tea to the king and the king recovered. As he was leaving the castle vey happy with his fortune, the godmother was sanding outside and said that this cannot be done and not to do this trick again. In some minutes, the soldiers came again, and stated that the keg’s daughter is very ill and the king wants the healer to come back to help and if his daughter gets well, he will give his daughter in marriage to the healer.

“Wow! That was surely a good deal” thought the healer and came to see the king’s daughter. However, death was at the head of the bed and that meant the beautiful daughter must die. He was suddenly in love with her and went and turned the bed around and gave the princess the tea and she as well and completely healed. Suddenly Calavera appeared in front of him looking very upset and said: “You have not obeyed my rule and this calls for a revelation for you” She then took him by his hand and led him to a deep cave and in this huge cave there were millions of candles, and all were lit and also were of many sizes. “What is this godmother”? asked the healer. She explained that each candle represents life on Earth, and some are taller and some shorter meaning that as the candles burn out, finally the light gees out and the person dies. No matter if the person is a baby and adult or old person, the candle will be spent and the person will die, that is the destiny of all human beings.

“Where is my candle “? Asked the healer and Calavera pointed at the small candle with its light almost gone. “NO!” exclaimed the healer, you cannot do this to me as your godson. I have a fortune, half a kingdom and a princess to wed soon” he pleaded and as he looked at the candle it just went out and he fell and died. “YOU CANNOT FOOL DEATH” said the Calavera.

In conclusion, I have noted some points for reflection as you think about the CALAVERA story.

1.     LIFE - DEATH -LIFE cycle: Think about what is supposed to “die” in your life at this time? What will you not give up and be free of attachments?

2.       When is your candle meant to go out? Or how are you afraid that it will go out soon?

3.       LA CALAVERA  lives inside us and has a sense of when you will heal and when you will die – no cheating!

4.       Can you ‘let go’ of things that deaden you in your life or you keep attempting to turn the “bed” around again and again?

5.       Are you living in the HERE AND NOW? Can this story be helpful to practice this skill?

6.       What healing support do you need in your life at this moment?

DYING IS A JOURNEY FULL OF FEAR – YOU CAN SOFTEN THIS FEAR BY LIVING IN THE NOW AND FIND JOY IN EVERYTHING YOU DO AND WHO YOU ARE!