I really really have been living this split for so long and teetering through the inherent awe of this world with big bouts of WTFness— my spiritual heart understands that this is just the rhythm for the moment thats always been here but my physical heart is screaming with the confusing ache of living in a world devoid of the values i treasure— time, creativity, collaboration, authenticity. Its such a challenge even in myself to navigate the untethering of external validation while part of me still desires (and deserves) that. Thanks for naming the dance in my heart and sparking dialogue around all of it- itscrazy to learn about ancestral ghosts when its clearly the vision i see too when conversing with my shadows. The commonality of it all is both astounding and grounding. Thanks for your he(art).
such an excellent essay shilpa. remembering the bible verses about greed that were very prevalent as a kid, and i appreciate you so succinctly pointing it out, greed is a disease. i'm also really interested in how we can more clearly paint these stats about wealth accumulation, and what it means for a social safety need.
I hope more readers will also respond to this question! For me, it's about invitations and offerings into our collective -- that reframe worthiness and demonstrate different possibilities -- and then supporting them to get to their tipping points of change... What do others think?
I love this question! I think we re-build (or build) in each moment. The gratitude and appreciation we express to each other and all life. The release of the transactional in favor of the relational. The catching our inner critics / inner judgements and re-directing their focus.
thanks for this piece Shilpa! sitting with the question "How can this disease be healed if it is held in esteem?How can this disease be healed if it is held in esteem?" and the balancing of resourcefulness, security, joy, deaccumulation
I really really have been living this split for so long and teetering through the inherent awe of this world with big bouts of WTFness— my spiritual heart understands that this is just the rhythm for the moment thats always been here but my physical heart is screaming with the confusing ache of living in a world devoid of the values i treasure— time, creativity, collaboration, authenticity. Its such a challenge even in myself to navigate the untethering of external validation while part of me still desires (and deserves) that. Thanks for naming the dance in my heart and sparking dialogue around all of it- itscrazy to learn about ancestral ghosts when its clearly the vision i see too when conversing with my shadows. The commonality of it all is both astounding and grounding. Thanks for your he(art).
Thank you dear Roshni. I hear the teetering, and I also hear so much clarity in you. Trusting your beautiful heart. <3
such an excellent essay shilpa. remembering the bible verses about greed that were very prevalent as a kid, and i appreciate you so succinctly pointing it out, greed is a disease. i'm also really interested in how we can more clearly paint these stats about wealth accumulation, and what it means for a social safety need.
Absolutely Mel! I wish those verses were as prevalent as the others that get quoted about harming people :( I also hope that sharing more stats can help shift the discourse from right vs. left to seeing more of the common ground, and how the unchecked accumulation is undermining the vast majority's safety and well-being. This podcast is also in that vein - https://www.resilience.org/stories/2025-10-08/crazy-town-episode-111-burned-by-billionaires/?utm_source=Post+Carbon+Institute&utm_campaign=75240f0ae0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_10_07_09_37&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-75240f0ae0-15519777&mc_cid=75240f0ae0&mc_eid=f6f98b83ef
Thanks shilpa. I really resonate with holding this dialectic of:
- accepting the world as it is, traumas and all (can't be a recovering addict without acceptance)
- wanting us all to get on with the healing - let's end this shit already!
Thanks Rishi! Yes, acceptance and healing actions go together hand-in-hand. Let's do it. <3
lovely writing again Shilpa 🌳
Thank you Pancho! <3
Also— How do we rebuild paradigms of inherent worthiness?
Yes i can live them and shed old ways, but how do we integrate the collective to also shift without it feeling forceful or shaming?
I hope more readers will also respond to this question! For me, it's about invitations and offerings into our collective -- that reframe worthiness and demonstrate different possibilities -- and then supporting them to get to their tipping points of change... What do others think?
I love this question! I think we re-build (or build) in each moment. The gratitude and appreciation we express to each other and all life. The release of the transactional in favor of the relational. The catching our inner critics / inner judgements and re-directing their focus.
Beautiful piece, thank you Shilpa. ❤️
Thank you dear Akaya for reading! It always means a lot to receive your encouragement. Lake walk some time soon?
thanks for this piece Shilpa! sitting with the question "How can this disease be healed if it is held in esteem?How can this disease be healed if it is held in esteem?" and the balancing of resourcefulness, security, joy, deaccumulation