A wonderful summation of how we have been conditioned by civilized society to displace our authority onto figures and institutions. And even while recognizing the loss of this vital sense of being, Eric Fromm noted in his book Escape From Freedom, that many do not want to have this responsibility for themselves.
I think that issue is the one that should most concern us on these liminal days. Do we mature psychologically or will we revert to a childlike state of being where we surrender our agency to a tyrant or dictator and believe that our needs will be met.
Thank you you have put form and words around something that I was feeling but was unable to articulate. “Those who support fascism and authoritarianism, by definition, reject the idea that goodness and knowledge can arise from within.”
Such a helpful deep analysis of Western culture and its susceptibility to fascism, via the perpetuation of authoritarianism. Sovereignty of mind, requires a decolonisation of mind for most peoples these days. Your writing is a great contribution to this process. My heart weeps for how poorly educated children are by systems that do not honour soul and connection. So important we all do what we can to honour and respect the children in our lives, their innate wisdom and ability to connect
Yes, yes, Sally, the children! I am thinking of an 18-year-old relative of mine, a young white man who voted for Trump. Such a failure of education—not merely a failure of civics education, but an absence of that deeper layer of knowing. An absence of honoring and respecting what is inside each person (including oneself) so that one can recognize abusers and reject abusive behavior.
Inner knowing. The goodness within. Yes. I especially appreciated “I’ve transferred my center of authority from the outside to the inside." Thank you, Priscilla, for this wise and beautiful piece.
Thank you, Gail, for taking it in! I was so surprised when that came out of my mouth. And, almost 40 years on, I can’t believe how little of it I’d done at that point. But it was a start! Thanks for letting me know you connected.
This piece (listened to while driving) brought rage and tears and longing and hope to the surface. And grief for our lost western culture. I look forward to catching up on your previous pieces for more historical context. Thank you for a beautiful piece of storytelling, an inspiring vision and a valuable and necessary contribution to these challenging times. It makes me think about how my writing, too, could contribute....
Oh, yes, Morgana, so much yes to your dream of contributing through your writing! I suspect you have a lot to say from your experience and reflections on just this topic alone. Please bring it on!
I read to the end, and then the notes at the end, and the pointing out that in your book you’d talked about Augustine and original sin. Bought the book, on Kindle.Thank you
Umm, no! Though the ones who later lived under our deck would steal gloves, socks, whatever, to line their den. Lucky you! lol. Glad you’re enjoying the book!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Bonnie! I hope you find the book opens useflu channels for you. Please feel free to contact me anytime with comments, questions, etc., about what you read.
So good; thank you! I would only add that it’s never too late to begin the journey inward. I’m 63 and about ten years ago, through the refining catalyst of pain, when my authority structures collapsed, I began to reevaluate my life. Thankfully I have a courageous daughter who was the first to truly break from our toxic religious reliances. She led us out. The last ten years have been an amazing journey of healing, of finding our hearts, our core realities. It’s never too late. Peace.
Oh, Robert, that is for sure! Every moment is new; every moment is an opportunity to set our feet in a different direction. And the refining fire is so often the catalyst for rethinking, reevaluating. Though I have been known to complain bitterly about having to go through so much pain! :-D I'm glad for your wise daughter, leading toward healing.
A wonderful summation of how we have been conditioned by civilized society to displace our authority onto figures and institutions. And even while recognizing the loss of this vital sense of being, Eric Fromm noted in his book Escape From Freedom, that many do not want to have this responsibility for themselves.
I think that issue is the one that should most concern us on these liminal days. Do we mature psychologically or will we revert to a childlike state of being where we surrender our agency to a tyrant or dictator and believe that our needs will be met.
Excellent read, thank you so much!
I’m glad you enjoyed!
Great article and useful links - thank you!
Thanks for reading, Sally-Shakti, and for letting me know it helps!
Wonderful summation and contextualization, thank you for sharing
Thank you, CA, for being here and for the good word.
Thank you you have put form and words around something that I was feeling but was unable to articulate. “Those who support fascism and authoritarianism, by definition, reject the idea that goodness and knowledge can arise from within.”
Thank you, Gillian & LB, for dropping by, and for letting me know you found something helpful.
Such a helpful deep analysis of Western culture and its susceptibility to fascism, via the perpetuation of authoritarianism. Sovereignty of mind, requires a decolonisation of mind for most peoples these days. Your writing is a great contribution to this process. My heart weeps for how poorly educated children are by systems that do not honour soul and connection. So important we all do what we can to honour and respect the children in our lives, their innate wisdom and ability to connect
Yes, yes, Sally, the children! I am thinking of an 18-year-old relative of mine, a young white man who voted for Trump. Such a failure of education—not merely a failure of civics education, but an absence of that deeper layer of knowing. An absence of honoring and respecting what is inside each person (including oneself) so that one can recognize abusers and reject abusive behavior.
Inner knowing. The goodness within. Yes. I especially appreciated “I’ve transferred my center of authority from the outside to the inside." Thank you, Priscilla, for this wise and beautiful piece.
Thank you, Gail, for taking it in! I was so surprised when that came out of my mouth. And, almost 40 years on, I can’t believe how little of it I’d done at that point. But it was a start! Thanks for letting me know you connected.
This piece (listened to while driving) brought rage and tears and longing and hope to the surface. And grief for our lost western culture. I look forward to catching up on your previous pieces for more historical context. Thank you for a beautiful piece of storytelling, an inspiring vision and a valuable and necessary contribution to these challenging times. It makes me think about how my writing, too, could contribute....
Oh, yes, Morgana, so much yes to your dream of contributing through your writing! I suspect you have a lot to say from your experience and reflections on just this topic alone. Please bring it on!
Thank you for the encouragement, Priscilla!
I read to the end, and then the notes at the end, and the pointing out that in your book you’d talked about Augustine and original sin. Bought the book, on Kindle.Thank you
I am reading it! Loving it! So wish we could trade stories. I bet you never had a fox leave you “gifts” in your shoes!
Umm, no! Though the ones who later lived under our deck would steal gloves, socks, whatever, to line their den. Lucky you! lol. Glad you’re enjoying the book!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Bonnie! I hope you find the book opens useflu channels for you. Please feel free to contact me anytime with comments, questions, etc., about what you read.
So good; thank you! I would only add that it’s never too late to begin the journey inward. I’m 63 and about ten years ago, through the refining catalyst of pain, when my authority structures collapsed, I began to reevaluate my life. Thankfully I have a courageous daughter who was the first to truly break from our toxic religious reliances. She led us out. The last ten years have been an amazing journey of healing, of finding our hearts, our core realities. It’s never too late. Peace.
Oh, Robert, that is for sure! Every moment is new; every moment is an opportunity to set our feet in a different direction. And the refining fire is so often the catalyst for rethinking, reevaluating. Though I have been known to complain bitterly about having to go through so much pain! :-D I'm glad for your wise daughter, leading toward healing.
“Sovereignty of mind is exactly what those who would control others cannot tolerate.” Thanks for this and all the collective wisdom you offer.
I'm grateful for your attention, Leah, and for the good word!