Intolerance

By Rev. Amari Magdalena

Intolerance, defined as “unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect opinions or beliefs contrary to one’s one.”   It’s Latin basis: “in” for not; “tolerantem” for to bear, or endure. Seems, to me, to be a lot of that floating around these days especially on the social media sites.

We all have our opinions and beliefs.  Some are shaped by our life experiences; some by exposure to belief systems that we particularly resonate with.  Opinions and beliefs are valuable to the extent that our ego investment in them doesn’t allow for a change of mind or awakening to the new.  They become a problem mostly when we are disrespectful to those opinions and beliefs of others not in concert with ours.

Lately there has been major intolerance regarding the political debacle that we are witness to in this election year.  Another cyber world example of intolerance is regarding food-vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, etc.  Public breastfeeding is yet another example of polarized opining. Global warming or climate change, yet another.  Transgender use of bathrooms; another hot button. So many areas of disagreement. The issue is not necessarily about our personal views on any of these subjects rather our lack of respect for views that are 180 degrees from our cherished opinions.

Many spiritually based people hold a precious view of a world that works for everyone, these days.  Much is said about bringing everyone on board to express their particular gift or talent and find appreciation in so doing.  The word Peace probably has exponential hits or clicks every day.  Yet it’s all just empty words unless we are willing to extend respect to those who differ with our opinion, beliefs, views. 

As I’ve been contemplating this blog for a week or so, I have become painfully aware of my own areas of intolerance.  I’ve found myself observing something that doesn’t resonate with me and a judgment or intolerance floating across my mind.  To remedy this, I’ve turned my negative judgment around and found a way to express the thought in a more positive vein.  Perhaps there is something I may learn by what I am witnessing; or possibly it will give more credence to holding my belief with more reverence.  Yet R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is required if I am to move past intolerance and judgment.

Aretha socked it to us in her famous song.  It may be time to revisit its wisdom. “Ain’t gonna do your wrong.”  Catch that last word, wrong.  When we are intolerant, judgmental, and make the other person wrong, there is no possibility of respect–let alone peace making.   Respect too has Latin origins: respicere (see respect (n.). Meaning "treat with deferential regard or esteem."

Can you imagine a world in which we greet people “I esteem you?”  Possibly it is a better greeting than Namaste because it truly says that I/we/you honor the person in front of us and not just the spirit within. And that, my friends, is what I truly believe is necessary for us to create a world that crosses all lines of division: ethnic, creed, religion, culture, age, sexual orientation, etc. 

If I want to know what makes you tick, I can only find that out by being willing to listen to you, truly listen and pay you due respect.  For example, my oldest son is politically my polar opposite in allegiances.  Yet, I learn something every single time that we have an in depth discussion about his beliefs.  I discover that some of it does in fact resonate; some does not.  I know that if we had more flexibility in our body politic of the moment, this kind of listening could only strengthen platforms by incorporating doable ideas that potentially serve all of the people. 

Discussions about food could take on a different tone.  Instead of shaming and blaming, vegans and vegetarians could share their personal stories of increased health and energy.  Politicians could choose broader platforms that address a broader brush of their constituency.  Climate change could be opened up more for discussion without so much human shame and blame.  Breastfeeding and human sexuality would have their due if we were willing to explore our deeper feelings about our bodies and their function.  The growing LGBT community could be viewed with compassion for their deep struggles in societies that hold more concrete beliefs on what is ‘normal’ and not in human sexual  behavior.

We are birds of many feathers and hues; each one of us. By becoming more and more aware of respect, esteem, and tolerance, I believe we’d have a much better chance of creating a world community of love and compassion.  I’m committed to working on my areas of intolerance.  I invite you to have that “Come to Jesus” moment yourself and learn to give what you wish to receive; R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

[53 Past Blogs are in my book "Shaman Talk" available in softcover and ebook on Amazon.com]

The Messianic Illusion

by Rev. Amari Magdalena

[Excerpts extracted from Unbecoming Me: The Ultimate Shapeshifter’s Journey]

At the time of celebrating Messiah’s it seems appropriate to address what I’ve chosen to call “The Messianic Illusion:” a syndrome of spiritual self-importance fostered by that old nemesis our Ego’s. I recognized this in myself quite a few years back.  What helped me snap out of it and start a practice of self-monitoring was a growing recognition of just how damaging it had become to my potential for creating lasting intimate relationships. 

Symptoms of the Messianic Illusion include a clear sense that one has “an important and urgent” spiritual mission that must be accomplished at the expense of other familial or intimate relationships; and that there is a sense of specialness about you that surpasses most of your peers and cohorts.  The illusionist must forsake all other distractions to accomplish this highly important spiritual mission.  A tad of grandeur seeps in as the illusion sheds veils over reason and common sense.  It is a very seductive illusion that fosters Ego in such a covert way that it can remain undetectable for some time.  As long as one is under the illusion, a Salome veil of fog prevails.

Schemes to give Ego its full sway come in many colors and presentations.  Specialness in any forms, but particularly spiritual, is a separation tool of the utmost destructiveness.  The cleverness of Ego seems to have no boundaries.  Because as a culture, in the main, we esteem that which is spiritual, this particular conspiracy for control is often hidden. We value those who offer spiritual succor and vernacular that promotes peace, love and understanding.  In and of itself providing spiritually soothing messages is harmless.  It is when we begin to take ourselves seriously as divine messengers that the trouble commences. 

The internet has given us a global platform upon which to foist varying degrees of Messianic Illusion. Some of this is very subtle and involves following the social media’s latest marketing guru’s advice.  We post inspirational after inspirational daily messages to get ‘noticed.’ And, lovely though some of these postings are, they are also a great way of fostering this particular illusion.  We stand out, the scheme suggests, by being frequent posters of these good and illumined thoughts and sharing.  A little chest puffing up may follow as our ‘followers’ acknowledge us through comments, tweets etc.  We are building our base of followers which will turn into revenue for us down the line.

Nothing wrong with creating a stream of income sufficient to sustain us in a culture that fails to ‘get’ that without the support of tribes, scribes and mystics do have to earn a living. In fact, it would be a whole lot easier for many of us who are devoted to providing spiritual succor it society did ‘get’ it.  The harm comes when we place our selves and our messages, works, etc. above others by the desire to have broader and broader recognition.  That type of desire or thinking stems from egoic states of mind.

What I have learned in 22 years of teaching and sharing is that if ONE student comes to peace or is awakened to his/her highest potential, that is success.  My success is NOT measured in the breadth or depth or my reach.  It is not even measured by what I do or what others do with what I offer.  Rather the ultimate reward is standing back as a balcony person and applauding anyone who has found meaning in their lives by our short or long association and moved on to carry out their own purpose of life-Loving-and identifying how to transmit that love through their work.

This brings me back to the earlier part of this tome.  It is wonderful and fulfilling to have contributed something of value to another.  Amen to the wonderful and wonder-filled sharing that is occurring in moderation on the social media.  And hallelujah if we can keep our egos out of the process and just share for the sake of sharing.

As long as I/we keep that stream flowing with love and allow ourselves the human experiences of personal intimacy and relationships in our private lives and give unconditionally in those too, we are free from illusion of self-importance. 

Ultimately we are all messiahs and not; all special and not.  We are more like the stars in the sky than we realize-shining brightly for a time and then receding into the vast nothingness of the pool of Creation awaiting another random movement and nothingness out of which springs a new life form and opportunity to express Spirit.

[Extracted from "Shaman Talk" 53 Blogs on topics for navigating today's world.]