ON THE PATH
time. It is natural for human beings to hold divergent views. Some experience divergent opinions within themselves. They may be in tur- moil, feeling pulled and pushed from within. Those chaotic emotions are experienced individually and collectively. Be patient with them. The way through current emotional storms is to draw on the well- spring of courage within and enter the “storm”, willing to be within the storm without becoming part of the storm. From within the storm, we can begin healing conversations through which to learn other people’s perspectives. Their perceptions are not baseless. It is up to us to open and learn different ways of looking at the world. We are not asked to take on their perspectives as our own (although we might). We are only asked to open, learn and be willing to meet in the field that Rumi describes. We begin by embodying respect for spiritual essence ex- pressed as humanity. We embrace loving kindness so that when we engage in so-called difficult conversations , we do so in ways that in- vite people into conversations. This may not feel easy. Many things in life that are of the utmost value aren’t easy. They require commitment and trust. They require the commitment of the participants to remember that relationships are far more valuable than opinions. Opinions may or may not change. Ultimately, values such as connection far exceed any opinion ever em- braced. The Time is Now Big question: What really matters to you? Let’s drop back to the pandemic and literally the loss of more than continued on page 68
selves known — to open to a world beyond opinions. Opinions are formed in response to external stimuli. Values — what really matters to you — come from within. Living our values requires that we draw on inner strength and, perhaps, courage to swim against the current — to be a stand for what we hold dear. The value of Oneness (that we are all in this together) is a value that, alas, is not shared by everyone, yet it applies to everyone. We are all interconnected. Global systems cause us to be intertwined. More re - markably at the level of creation, cellularly and spiritually we are in- separable from one another. Because we are all occupants of one planet, we are accountable for the ramifications of our actions. I regularly ask myself, “What are the consequences of my choices?” I am asking myself not only how my choices affect me, but more importantly, what outcomes I have set in motion that affect others and more broadly, the world. Many peo - ple are not aware of the impact their choices have as they ripple out across relationships, communities and beyond. We are more power- ful, more impactful, than we may realize. Ask yourself, “What are the consequences of my choices?” Will they generate outcomes that are in alignment with your values? Simply because someone embraces a different view does not war - rant discarding them. There is a lot to learn about why someone holds a view. By sharing, by conversing, we can learn the basis for those opinions. We can meet in a middle ground that includes agreeing to disagree, embracing the healing power of Love. When we are willing to open our hearts and deeply listen, we may find commonalities. When we release our pre-judgements about others and their opinions, we are granted the opportunity to learn. When we learn, we expand our capacity to love. The poet, Rumi, suggests:
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, There is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, The world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase each other Doesn’t make any sense.
Listening deeply to someone, listening beyond their words, is one of the greatest gifts we can give one another. We can use present moments to connect heart-t0-heart. We can heal the heart of our country, our communities, one person at a
Konstanza Morning Star Certified Medium & Shaman Author of Medium: A Step-by-Step Guide to Communicating with the Spirit World
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PATHWAYS—Winter 24-25—67
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