How Morality Stunts Our Vision + Rune of the Day
All trees have roots that we don't see
We've all been taught to split the world in two: Good and Evil, Right and Wrong, Light and Dark. This isn't merely a human thing, it's a quality of dual reality. At this point, I don't use these dualisms as much as I did, preferring instead to refer to varying degrees of vibration, from the densest to the lightest. By what I've seen and experienced, the people, actions and situations that we're taught to identify as evil are merely filled with subconscious patterns that haven't been dismantled or even detected. In other words, I don't regard criminals and oppressors as evil, but as very unconscious individuals who are quite unaware of their actions and their consequences. As for good, we all see ourselves as that, we're not educated to see other people's side but only our own, but the more we delve into our psyche, feelings and behavior, the more we realize that we too commit injustices, that we can also abuse others and cause harm, whether intentionally or not is irrelevant. These are things that common morality can't process well.
I don't see morality as an asset, looking at the world as if it was split neatly in two is a great way to remain ignorant about the infinity of nuances that surround us. We exist in scales of grey, in constant oscillation: a person generally assumed as bad can have many virtues while another assumed as good may be plagued by a myriad vices. Moral judgments blind us from such subtleties and thus we make decisions based on nothing but prejudice. We're the product of thousands of years of evolution and have colossal amounts of unconscious data, programming that's active in our bodies and minds whether we detect it or not. If we had access to our full ancestry, memories and feelings, we'd know that, encrypted in our every cell, we have stories of blood, oppression, horror and suffering untold that guide our hand from the shadows of our being. With that knowledge, it's impossible to claim moral superiority above anyone, even the most abject individuals we can think of; "abject" is in fact a judgment that prevents us from seeing the simple yet profound fact that those individuals are also the product of conditionings of which they're not aware at all.
It's nigh impossible to empathize with those we deem unworthy, cruel, callous or disgraceful, but everything is a reflection of what we have inside, and what we see in others is also within us. We can struggle against it, attempt to deny it, but it's inexorable. We have to check our history, to open our hearts and feel, instead of passing verdict as if we knew ourselves and others perfectly. We don't and we never will. Uncounted generations have come and gone, their prompts and experiences are embedded in our flesh, and everyone around is in the exact same boat. Next time you see someone who inspires you admiration, remember that they too have suffered and hurt others, that their ancestors also committed crimes and behaved in ways you'd find questionable today; do the same with those that move you to spite or criticism, try to stand in their place for a moment and realize that they too can love, laugh, be genuinely excited about things, and that they also have great heroes and acts of beauty in their cells. Then perhaps you'll be able to cultivate a better understanding of your reality, and live a life less constrained by black and white considerations, a life where all colors have their place and all entities fulfill a necessary purpose.
Ancient pacts, responsibilities that you assumed in the past return as demands, pay attention to your promises. Pending payments delay your process, clarify doubts and fulfill with the regular procedures. Difficult memories, repressed emotions, what you seek to control controls you. The ancestral conditionings continue to act in your system, work on your subconscious, there are always deeper knots to unravel. Untangle conflicts, unweave narratives and discourses, beware of issuing or accepting statements without support. Prevent others from involving you in their karmas, each person has their own path to the truth. The most profound revelations reside in the darkest of spaces, purge and cleanse yourself, see with clear eyes underneath the surface, extract the talents hidden in the ground.
Somebody once said "everybody want's to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die to get there." It's interesting to contemplate the faces we present to others around us. For my entire life, I've been told I have a "good heart." However, underneath this good heart, is something else that most people never know about, and would be surprised if they did know. I've turned what should be a bitter cup into a sweet one, but the echoes remain. So I can understand the winds that might buffer a person, very well.
Yes, I guess I was born with a bit more empathy than others, but much of that came from a lot of pain, such that empathy becomes even more precious when it's denied to you. Example: If someone locked you in a box and reduced your air supply, each breath you take afterwards, will mean that much more, and never be taken for granted.
The other thing your post made me think about, is access to information. Alex Haley, the author of Roots once said: "When an old person dies, it's like a library burning." When we distance ourselves from unconventional people, we also cut ourselves off from information and learned experiences. You can't learn anything if you're not listening. Some of my most important life lessons were gleaned from people such as these. Excellent post. Please keep sharing.
Awesome comment! Thank you so much. Yes! There's a lot of history behind a person's current actions and character, most of it is completely unknown even to that person, so there's no honest way to judge others because, as you say, we lack access to the information. I'm always checking my environment for information, it's an effortless thing to me at this point, even strangers can offer essential pieces of data if one's listening.
One again, thank you for the wonderful comment! Blessings!
What a thoughtful comment! I don't recall ever hearing the quote you mentioned, about an old person dying...such truth. Yesterday I was guided to begin networking and there was immediate confirmation after the action that I took in that regard. For a while there though, I distanced myself from many. There was so much noise and I needed to go inward and listen to myself...to my emotional guidance system, my needs, etc... I'm excited to reopen to the public so to speak. Now with a stronger sense of discernment and greater awareness.
I think we all need that quiet space from time to time, so that we can resume our path forward refreshed and reinvigorated. If I recall correctly, that quote is from an interview he gave while a passenger on a cargo ship. Turns out Alex Haley loved taking trips on them as the cabins provided a peaceful environment for him to write. That quote has always stayed with me, as I was raised mostly by older people, and learned so much from them. It always reminded me of the burning of The Library of Alexandria. The "library burning" part, is a reference to the knowledge lost when wise elders pass on, unless that knowledge is passed on to the next generation.
Yes, it made sense right away. Perhaps, in our future we'll place a higher value on their wisdom and experience.
As @evernoticethat said, that time of solitude is necessary sometimes. I too went through something of the sort for the past two years, but now it's time to bloom! Thank you for stopping by and for your own thoughtful comment!
@drrune , it was my pleasure. 🙂 You are the first "favorite" I have added on PeakD. I look forward to reading more about your 'bloom'. 😉
@drrune I really value this post, especially that part about seeing people from another perspective. I have a practice for this involving forgiveness and Ho'oponopono. However, yours is a fresh angle. 💖 For me, it is in seeing the reflection of others behaviors in my own behavior that helps me to find forgiveness, compassion and move towards unconditional love. The angle you present seems to give us a tool to help knock down the wall of separation, and open a flood gate of beneficial energies. Lovely!
Awesome comment, thank you so much! I'm humbled that you resonated with these words. It's true, seeing ourselves in others helps us develop clemency toward the entire world, to be aware of the hurts but approach them from empathy and understanding, rather than rejection and hostility. It's a gift, privilege and blessing to have that opportunity!
Oooh clemency...I had to look that word up to get a clearer definition in my mind. What a lovely word! I choose to adopt it. 😉 Yes, now that I think about it, it is a gift to be able to see through that lens. At times, at least with my current method, it doesn't feel like a gift. It can feel like a strain to get there on certain subjects, but I'm developing a muscle for it; and that strength makes so much else so much easier. A gift and blessing indeed!