BUILDING COMMUNITY
AVILLION of UNIVERSAL INSIGHT ONE HEART • ONE EARTH • ONE LIGHT We seek to cultivate the Timeless Wisdom of Heart!
Creating a Culture... ...continued from page 47
that “different is dangerous” is all too easy. Gripped in fear, “fight, flight or freeze” instinctive, defensive reactions take over. Resource - fulness disappears. Others, drawn by our common human desire to connect, may be challenged to find ways to relate to those individuals and groups that don’t align with our worldview. When confronted with personalities and appearances unlike ours, we may fumble and experience a jumble of emotions, yet continue to pursue connection. We experiment. Some of our tries turn out to be life-affirming and others quite opposite, and we don’t give up. We look around and note in awe and wonder, the myriad distinction of creation in expression. We drink in commonal- ities and celebrate all the differences. We recognize we are looking at the same world through different subjective filters. Commonalities prevail throughout nature. We are all made of the same stuff. For the most part, it is only when personality, rather than physicality, is brought into the equation that concerns about “differ - ent” crop up. Distinctions within commonalities are what make Life rich. Innate distinctions are what are expressed as myriad appearanc- es, gifts, talents, and desires. The tension of opposites — the pull and push of life — stirs creativi- ty. New solutions, new ways of being together are revealed. The Divine Urge within each of us desires to resolve conflict and harmonize our world. Coming together across myriad cultures and faith traditions, con- templating co-existence, I hear within me, Elizabeth Barrett Brown - ing’s “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” What if we were to ask, “What do we have in common? Let me count the ways.” I am sure we would discover ways to love one another. And, what if in love, we were to ask, “Tell me how it is to be you, your life, and those you love.” Ernest Holmes shared what won’t work: “You cannot draw love into your consciousness through hate. You cannot draw peace from confusion. You cannot see beauty through ugliness, nor hear harmony while your ears are filled with discord.” So what will work? We must develop a Culture of Connection! It may be easier than you think, here are some simple steps: 1. Embrace your desire to create a Culture of Connection and com- mit to doing your part. 2. Set your intention to consistently be present in your conversa- tions. 3. Silence our fear-mongering self-talk to the best of your ability. 4. Enter a consciousness of Love, because it is contagious. 5. Express genuine, compassionate curiosity. 6. Initiate conversations — talk to strangers even though your moth- er told you not to. Trish Hall is an international best-selling author and acclaimed speaker. She is the Spiritual Leader of Center for Spiritual Living Metro where you are empowered to live the fullest expression of you. We come together in Oneness, celebrate the uniqueness of each per - son, and invite you to “be you with us! ” www.cslmetro.org
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48—PATHWAYS—Summer 23
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