5 Comments

Especially appreciate the values/principles thinking here, and how the latter can close us off to what I’ll call the “Rajanaka Exhortations” of ongoing critical review of our “sacred cows,” so to speak, and what is served by holding fast thereto. It’s the willingness to ever review what we say and do and the apparent outcomes of same for the auspicious. Life lessons. Thank you, as always.

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Thanks, as always, Douglas. Even in your rescheduling these sessions, you have the time to express your generosity with this excellent meditation. I am guessing that everyone, like me, is simply grateful. The hardest part of staying in conversation with the MAGA crowd is that they have no interests in being in conversation, which is why they love the pronouncements (liberal use of this term!) of people like McCarthy and Trump. Staying in the conversation is the only choice of rational, good hearted folk so we hold tight!

I am wondering if we are not, perhaps, dealing with the symptoms and not the real issue. Could the real issue behind all the seeming division, hatred, and acting out be that, at some level, those who are trying to tear apart the common good really are reacting to the impending and radical changes that civilization faces with the climate crisis? Does the MAGA crowd feel in their hearts and intuition that we are on the cusp of the end of the industrial , consumer cultures that drives most of the world's people? Like the children who act out negatively because they cannot yet developmentally understand their parents' conflicts and disfunction? Perhaps I oversell the sensitivity of the MAGA crowd or the impending possible collapse. No matter how you slice it, the system is in turmoil and people feel it, consciously or unconsciously.

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Richard, I appreciate the nuance and thoughtfulness of your response and unfortunately I think you are way too kind towards the MAGA people.

Here's my 2 cents in 3 words: Patriarchy / Capitalism / White Supremacy

Okay, that was 4 words! And we could add 'extraction.' Which does tie in with your gist about the end of consumer culture...

Respectfully.

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always love hearing your thoughtful ideas, Dearbhla...thanks. No argument with your comment whatsoever!

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DB, 'principle is an invitation to virtue.' For this alone, but so much more, I think this one might be close to perfect.

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