Archive for January, 2011

Shootings Heart Opening

Posted in Big Questions, Feelings, Men with tags , , , , on January 30, 2011 by matthewstruth

On a typical day in this winter paradise, thoughts and feelings of mine are usually focused towards the majestic knee buckling beauty of ethereal lighting upon rugged peaks, and basking with delight at my husky’s exuberance at being in her primal element. But on this day, while checking email before heading out into the splendor, there it was, highlighted, at the top of the page, “Arizona Congresswoman Shot”.

My body went into a shock that I haven’t felt in quite this way before. I cried, and I ached while clicking to the appropriate page. My instantaneous inner reactions to these few words told me that this was a moment of grave importance and that no matter what the motive was behind this, forces at work in our culture had laid the groundwork for this tragedy long ago.

My shaking and tears continued as the news of the massacre became more apparent. So many humans gunned down. A man shooting a woman. A man shooting a member of Congress. A man shooting, randomly, dozens of human beings, terrorizing what in this country has become our misguided civic symbol, a shopping center. As initial reports of the congress woman’s death emerged I broke down even further with deep anguish for the fate of our culture and world.

What was it about this particular violent act that penetrated my usual armor of numbness? Why am I crying now, when there have been oh so many violent crimes committed by governments and individuals that left me unfazed? How come I didn’t weep and break down over the tragedy’s of natural disasters that have effected hundreds of thousands of people? Why haven’t I become enraged at the heinous activities of corporations and some businesses that are raping our world? And why have I done virtually nothing to stop any of this?

So why was this day different? There could be so many reasons. I know that on this day the two words “congress” and “woman” had an enormous impact on me, as did the third “Arizona“. While I am generally not a huge fan of government activities, witnessing a member of our government being potentially assassinated got through my defenses of non-feeling. I was just a toddler and then a child straight jacketed in a catholic school uniform when black and white leaders of our country were slaughtered. Playing with my Tonka trucks didn’t become interrupted by these crimes, though my manic depressive mother’s howling at being in love with JFK, and not us, certainly contributed to my innocent childs heart closing down.

Could it be that this was my first experience of attempted assassination in my country. But Reagan was shot and I felt nothing. Others world leaders have been shot and killed and I felt nothing. People are being killed by our government every day and I generally feel nothing. People are murdered every day and still I feel nothing. How many of us allow these events to penetrate our tightly constructed lives?

Why was this day different? Maybe it’s that this was a member of our government who was a woman, being brutally attacked by a man. How long have these supremely barbaric attacks been going on? For thousands of years men have been bludgeoning women and our planet to death. What would happen if I, we, all men, would stop and feel this? We have been killing and tormenting those that bring life into existence. When will we stop? When will we kneel on the ground, bow down and stop? When will we cry and cry for our perpetrated atrocities upon those who are magnificent beings of wonder?

This day was different because I felt. My heart opened and hurt. My body and soul cried tears of rage, fear, deep sadness, and love. Love for a woman, love for a gathering of human beings brutally attacked, and love for a man much like my deceased, mentally ill brother, enveloped in the deepest anguish. Why aren’t we loving those among us who are troubled and disturbed? Why aren’t WE troubled and disturbed? When will we awaken to our inherent birthright as glorious human beings, inhabiting an awe inspiring planet with other sentient beings, all of these animals, plants and minerals that share this place with us. When will we awaken to love?

On this day I was one man deeply touched and less numbed. I am not going back.

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Why Are We Here?

Posted in Big Questions, Not your normal letter to the editor with tags , , on January 30, 2011 by matthewstruth

The ramifications of climate change and concern about the “economy” can lead us toward questioning whether our livelihoods are in any way healthy, conscientious, necessary or ethical. On top of this, most of us of working age have lived our entire lives under the cloud of potential nuclear annihilation. That we in this country perpetrated and began this calamity often goes unrecognized or else is rationalized, while we engage in fears of all stripes regarding those “others”.

Do you ever question why we are here, alive right now, and wonder what our collective purpose is? Can it really be just to keep ourselves consuming and breathing, and going about the daily business of entitled survival in our hermetically sealed dwellings? Our consensus reality way of life is indeed negotiable. It is long past time to question every single element of it.

We can choose to perceive this particular time in history as being fraught with existential challenges stemming from our complete disconnect from our landbase and each other, and simultaneously perceive it as the most fruitful time in history. As old orders crumble or die off, tremendous evolutionary impulses are emerging all around us to birth a truly compassionate humanity. We can choose to radically transform the old unconscious social order toward one that experiences the vast interconnectedness of everything. This is our opportunity to get at the heart of our true purpose–to love and take care of everyone, everything and experience the divine everywhere. Will we take it?

(This was originally published as a letter to the editor with a 250 word limit.)

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Letter to the President

Posted in Desires, Not your normal letter to the editor with tags , , , , on January 30, 2011 by matthewstruth

 

Mr. President,

In balancing and recognizing the complexities of what you inherited as you came into office, with my feelings of gratitude for you, and probably more succinctly, the symbol of what you represent, I have given you the benefit of the doubt often.

But sir, I am less certain that your visions as stated in “Winning the Future” from 22 January 2011 are the right ones for these times. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t see anyone else’s political visions as being up to the task at hand either, at least in this country.

To speak of “winning”, or “out-building, out-innovating, out-educating”, these terms are from an era, or a paradigm that no longer exists. These terms might appeal to segments of our populace that still think the American Dream and American dominance are valid and ethical points of view. But they are merely entitlements of an ideology that has been putting the whole world at great risk. And they are by no means ethical or fair. I find these terms and the energy behind them when uttered by those in power to be exactly what is wrong with so-called leadership today.

Leadership entails and implies, a vocalization of a new way, a new path, a sane, moral, balanced and visionary idea for the future, and showing citizens what people really are for. We are not here to gobble up the worlds resources. Our interests can no longer be attained at the expense of the worlds people who are not from this nation.

Mr. President I am deeply saddened to hear you advocating essentially for the status quo. I am certain that you must be aware of the breakdown of all old structures. With this we have such an opportunity as humans to create a whole new way of living, gathering, sharing and communing. Please sir, why aren’t you taking us further? You are so much more than the president of the United States. You are a leader amongst world leaders. Please lead. Do not keep recreating the same old story.

Yes, we must all work together. But we must do so very much more. We must see ourselves as part of the whole human family, regardless of religion, nation, gender, profession, or whatever label divides us. You sir are the embodiment of this melding of culture. You must see the great power that this allows you to help heal all of the atrocities made manifest in continuing to pursue an American Dream. It certainly is a dream all right, in fact it is a nightmare for the majority of the worlds people. We can not continue to, in a best case scenario buy, at worst, steal or go to war for, another nations resources.

Sir, real leadership is so very much needed during these critical junctures. Please go further within to give voice and power to a thoroughly new way of being. Our planet is filled with such visionaries that can be of assistance-they are teaching, and educating and sharing literally everywhere. We are writing and communicating with people from nations all over the world. These voices are needed in government, not more bankers. And the new story of what is emerging in science and spirituality needs to be heard, needs to be shared with the citizenry. Not more “we can out-compete” rhetoric. And we the people are out-growing government. Please get on board with us. The platform of POTUS is potentially so potent. We would like so very much more from you. And we are ready.

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