Thank you for bringing the stillness to Substack not in an abstract way but in a way that makes sense in the immediate situation, practical, and calming.
"I’ve made it a rule to avoid digital mudslinging. Instead of “correcting” someone’s inflammatory comment, I redirect my energy toward writing, teaching, or engaging in conversations that foster mutual understanding."
I stopped replying to comments years ago, but now I avoid reading them altogether and instead am focusing on my writing to get my thoughts out and say what I think needs to be said.
I realized just a few months ago that it is not our duty as activists to change people's minds. We need to find a way to get back to having open hearts and recognize that we share the same spirit.
I'm directing all of my energy now into writing a book that takes place during the Spanish Inquisition and is an allegory for the alienating of 'foreigners' or 'undesirable others' that is happening around the world now. I think that writing an allegory through historical fiction is a more universal way to help see the patterns of human behavior that cause suffering, rather than preaching about who is "wrong" and who is "right."
All of my poetry lately has been about this concept as well, that we will drown on our ships of righteousness as the world burns around us.
there’s so many parallels throughout history to what we are experiencing now. During the Spanish Inquisition, Isabella and Ferdinand needed to refill their treasury which had been emptied because of mulitple wars to gain power. So they used the guise of uniting the country under religion to accuse wealthy Jews and Muslims of heresy. When they were convicted, their property reverted to the Crown. In 1492 there was an edict that forced all Jews to covert or leave the country.
So basically, the government created an “unreal other” in order to consolidate wealth and power. They scapegoated the unreal other while they themselves (and the Catholic church) grew richer.
The nobility in the country were exempt from paying taxes, so the tax base came from the lower and middle classes. Much like what is going on today in America.
Yeah! Those quick comments thay add nothing but fuel to a...um, maybe not the best analogy I could have chosen. Ok, I shouldn't have my commenting finger on a hair trigg...er, again, maybe not the best analogy I could have come up with. Perhaps it would have been best to have reflected before commenting. Have a peaceful breathful day.
Thank you for bringing the stillness to Substack not in an abstract way but in a way that makes sense in the immediate situation, practical, and calming.
I appreciate your encouragement. You can count on it.
This is the key:
"I’ve made it a rule to avoid digital mudslinging. Instead of “correcting” someone’s inflammatory comment, I redirect my energy toward writing, teaching, or engaging in conversations that foster mutual understanding."
I stopped replying to comments years ago, but now I avoid reading them altogether and instead am focusing on my writing to get my thoughts out and say what I think needs to be said.
I realized just a few months ago that it is not our duty as activists to change people's minds. We need to find a way to get back to having open hearts and recognize that we share the same spirit.
I'm directing all of my energy now into writing a book that takes place during the Spanish Inquisition and is an allegory for the alienating of 'foreigners' or 'undesirable others' that is happening around the world now. I think that writing an allegory through historical fiction is a more universal way to help see the patterns of human behavior that cause suffering, rather than preaching about who is "wrong" and who is "right."
All of my poetry lately has been about this concept as well, that we will drown on our ships of righteousness as the world burns around us.
Love the path you’re on and can’t wait to hear more. Why the Spanish Inquisition?
there’s so many parallels throughout history to what we are experiencing now. During the Spanish Inquisition, Isabella and Ferdinand needed to refill their treasury which had been emptied because of mulitple wars to gain power. So they used the guise of uniting the country under religion to accuse wealthy Jews and Muslims of heresy. When they were convicted, their property reverted to the Crown. In 1492 there was an edict that forced all Jews to covert or leave the country.
So basically, the government created an “unreal other” in order to consolidate wealth and power. They scapegoated the unreal other while they themselves (and the Catholic church) grew richer.
The nobility in the country were exempt from paying taxes, so the tax base came from the lower and middle classes. Much like what is going on today in America.
So much ancient wisdom here! Thank you, Diamond-MS, for serving us the Tao in. delicious bite-sized pieces of understandable and doable actions .🙏💫😊
Yeah! Those quick comments thay add nothing but fuel to a...um, maybe not the best analogy I could have chosen. Ok, I shouldn't have my commenting finger on a hair trigg...er, again, maybe not the best analogy I could have come up with. Perhaps it would have been best to have reflected before commenting. Have a peaceful breathful day.
You too, Jackson
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this. I have saved it and will return to it often, I feel... 🙏🏼❤️