Once again, Shilpa, you offer such a thorough cogent and compassionate analysis of human behavior—and offer a clear way to restore balance and connection. Please consider compiling your brilliant posts into a book. You have so much wisdom to share. 💜
Thank you so much dear Leaf! I'm going to be thinking about that book when I have a creative retreat in a few weeks. :) Appreciate you! Thank you for your support and encouragement. <3
"What might happen if we could transform our mindsets, practice skills, and build structures that enabled the hyper-socialization of connection instead? What if we could shift from the internally-imposed limits spurred by fear, and grow towards the multiverse, the both/and, and the enough-ness of space and time for all? How can each of us be a practice ground and a convener for that shift, and what do we need from each other to make that possible?"
So appreciating this writing, and, in particular this quote. Mindsets, practice skills, building structures. So similar to what we are focusing on at NewStories - Re-Storying, Re-Patterning, Re-Structuring. What we are finding in our work is that many people aspire to act in ways which create a regenerative future - a future guided by life's deep patterns of kindness, relationship, generosity and reciprocity. But the internal mindset, heartset, skills and practices are firmly and often unconsciously rooted in the norms and views which have incubated the many simultaneous collapses surrounding us.
Yes, thank you Bob. My friend Roni Kruzmann shared this definition of culture with me a few years ago, that culture is made up of mindsets, skillsets and structures. And that rang true with me then, and still does. Whether is fear-spreading cultures like the culture of factory-schooling, or connection-spreading cultures like New Stories and YES! Jams. Glad it resonated! And yes, how we connect the hope and aspiration to the mindset shifts, skillset builds, and structural accompaniment is the crux of it all -- from collapse to regeneration. It's all so tangible and possible when we put it all together! Thank you for your/New Stories part in that!
As always so grateful for your wise reflection. Two things that came up for me. In my playfulness at one point i began to referring to The Goddess Amygdala. I get annoyed when people demean any part of the human operating system. Honoring the amazing facility we are given to recognize danger with the signal of fear– how powerful. Amygdala makes me think of Kali and Diana and other potent figures. The wisdom to slow down, listen, bow and respect her offerings is exactly what is needed in order to heal and recenter wisdom.
Secondly, on "How we are at the small scale is how we are at the large scale. The patterns of the universe repeat at scale,” as adrienne marie browne writes in her book, Emergent Strategy." I wonder about this. Something about it seems true to me. But if it looks through the human lens and not the interconnected lens that includes all beings, elements, and energies, I am not sure it takes into account the intelligence of what is beyond human. I tend to think of humans as creaturely and limited. When we respect this about ourselves and link to greater systems we bring in templates and guidance that benefit our humanity. What do you think?
Thanks so much for what you shared here, Cynthia. Yes to definitely honoring the amygdala and not demeaning it -- such a good indicator of our stretch zone-panic zone edge, and can signal so much to us. Goddess is an interesting frame, and I'll have to sit more with the connection to Kali and Diana -- thank you for the opportunity to look at that. :)
As for the second part, I can't speak for adrienne, of course, and for me, her reflection definitely speaks to all of life, and not just human life. I sense she would agree. I think it's even easier to see the patterns across the non-human world, from the snail's shell to the spirals in the cosmos; from the mycelium under the forest floor to the neural pathways in brains; from the language of whales to that of elephants to that of octopus; and so on. When humans feel connected to the natural world, I sense this patterning is obvious in the interdependence to all of life. I just see that it also rings true in human disconnection too. So yes to looking to the natural world and our deep relationship, and bringing those patterns in for the benefit of humanity. Love that!
I agree that it is important and key to honor the micro-macro connection. I've also experience shamanic realities that don't translate to usual patterns. That causes me to remain open to wisdoms waiting to be revealed beyond matter.
Beautiful and timely piece! Some of it brought to mind a quote I encountered a week ago.
“Your wound is probably not your fault, but your healing is your responsibility.” Denice Frohman
Denice Frohman is a poet, writer, performer and educator, whose work explores the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality.
Connection and reconnection is possible on the other side of healing. And, healing can be hard work. We are all worth it.
Yes, love this Austin! We are all worth it. And we can do that hard work together, not alone. Doing it together makes it lighter. <3
Once again, Shilpa, you offer such a thorough cogent and compassionate analysis of human behavior—and offer a clear way to restore balance and connection. Please consider compiling your brilliant posts into a book. You have so much wisdom to share. 💜
Thank you so much dear Leaf! I'm going to be thinking about that book when I have a creative retreat in a few weeks. :) Appreciate you! Thank you for your support and encouragement. <3
I love the story about your dad and how creating the space to make mistakes can prevent fear from growing in the first place.
Thanks Gino! Me too. I just sent it to my dad, because I'm not sure he saw it. Grateful for that life lesson, and all it's given me since. <3
"What might happen if we could transform our mindsets, practice skills, and build structures that enabled the hyper-socialization of connection instead? What if we could shift from the internally-imposed limits spurred by fear, and grow towards the multiverse, the both/and, and the enough-ness of space and time for all? How can each of us be a practice ground and a convener for that shift, and what do we need from each other to make that possible?"
So appreciating this writing, and, in particular this quote. Mindsets, practice skills, building structures. So similar to what we are focusing on at NewStories - Re-Storying, Re-Patterning, Re-Structuring. What we are finding in our work is that many people aspire to act in ways which create a regenerative future - a future guided by life's deep patterns of kindness, relationship, generosity and reciprocity. But the internal mindset, heartset, skills and practices are firmly and often unconsciously rooted in the norms and views which have incubated the many simultaneous collapses surrounding us.
Thanks Shilpa!
Yes, thank you Bob. My friend Roni Kruzmann shared this definition of culture with me a few years ago, that culture is made up of mindsets, skillsets and structures. And that rang true with me then, and still does. Whether is fear-spreading cultures like the culture of factory-schooling, or connection-spreading cultures like New Stories and YES! Jams. Glad it resonated! And yes, how we connect the hope and aspiration to the mindset shifts, skillset builds, and structural accompaniment is the crux of it all -- from collapse to regeneration. It's all so tangible and possible when we put it all together! Thank you for your/New Stories part in that!
As always so grateful for your wise reflection. Two things that came up for me. In my playfulness at one point i began to referring to The Goddess Amygdala. I get annoyed when people demean any part of the human operating system. Honoring the amazing facility we are given to recognize danger with the signal of fear– how powerful. Amygdala makes me think of Kali and Diana and other potent figures. The wisdom to slow down, listen, bow and respect her offerings is exactly what is needed in order to heal and recenter wisdom.
Secondly, on "How we are at the small scale is how we are at the large scale. The patterns of the universe repeat at scale,” as adrienne marie browne writes in her book, Emergent Strategy." I wonder about this. Something about it seems true to me. But if it looks through the human lens and not the interconnected lens that includes all beings, elements, and energies, I am not sure it takes into account the intelligence of what is beyond human. I tend to think of humans as creaturely and limited. When we respect this about ourselves and link to greater systems we bring in templates and guidance that benefit our humanity. What do you think?
Thanks so much for what you shared here, Cynthia. Yes to definitely honoring the amygdala and not demeaning it -- such a good indicator of our stretch zone-panic zone edge, and can signal so much to us. Goddess is an interesting frame, and I'll have to sit more with the connection to Kali and Diana -- thank you for the opportunity to look at that. :)
As for the second part, I can't speak for adrienne, of course, and for me, her reflection definitely speaks to all of life, and not just human life. I sense she would agree. I think it's even easier to see the patterns across the non-human world, from the snail's shell to the spirals in the cosmos; from the mycelium under the forest floor to the neural pathways in brains; from the language of whales to that of elephants to that of octopus; and so on. When humans feel connected to the natural world, I sense this patterning is obvious in the interdependence to all of life. I just see that it also rings true in human disconnection too. So yes to looking to the natural world and our deep relationship, and bringing those patterns in for the benefit of humanity. Love that!
I agree that it is important and key to honor the micro-macro connection. I've also experience shamanic realities that don't translate to usual patterns. That causes me to remain open to wisdoms waiting to be revealed beyond matter.
What a beautiful post! Deep gratitude... will be sharing widely!
Thank you so much Rosa! <3