“A shadow is never created in darkness. It is born of light. We can be blind to it and blinded by it. Our shadow asks us to look at what we don’t want to see” ―

Terry Tempest Williams

 

 

This reminds me that by shunning those aspects of myself, community or society, i can never hope to achieve congruence.  The things I shy away from, reject or 

 decry are as vital on a systemic level as those I embrace.  By excluding them, I interrupt the flow within the system.  By embracing them with compassion,  they are integrated and flow is re-established and evolution becomes possible.  Another word for this process is ‘healing’.    

 

 

On Saturday, I was privileged to participate in an event organised by alternatives and led by Justine Huxley of St Ethalburgah’s Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.  Justine guided us to find compassion for those aspects of ourselves we are uncomfortable with.  The  sense of peace I experienced, enabled me to see that by expanding my compassion for all in the world with which I am uncomfortable: the loggers,  the sweat shop owners, the perpetrators of violence,  and ‘the Devil take the hindmost’ politicians.  Hope for a world in right relationship is possible.

 

 

Andy