Meeting in the Heart
Dear Ones,
We have returned from a most extraordinary Pilgrimage to the Motherland of our origins with a beautiful group of soul journeyers. Words are inadequate to describe our journey, which was filled with synchronicity and magical moments of validation from nature for our intentions to co-create and collaborate with the natural world in the land before time.
Since my return, one lesson has been prodding me more than the others to explore. Interestingly, this dynamic issue has arisen during my clinical sessions, too as others are experiencing similar revelations. Could it be a collective phenomenon, a shift in the 100th monkey principle?
Upon arriving at our first Greater Kruger lodge in South Africa, we were in awe of the beautiful eco-lodge on the Oliphant River. We enjoyed daily sunrise and sunset game drives over the lush landscapes teeming with new growth, where elephants, rhinos, hippos, and other wildlife greeted us with messages of hope. Humble male guides took the time to share their knowledge with us and were open to our inspiration. It was a wonderful exchange.
At the second lodge, we were stunned by the luxurious accommodations, food, rooms, and setting, immersed in nature. Yet, the energy of the guides felt different as we all jumped in the jeep to head out for safari. Initially, I thought it might be my allegiance to the former guides, but each encounter felt like a struggle in communication. It was controlled, like we were talking over each other, like the judgment of each other was the driving force in our interactions. I was as guilty as they were, finding them lacking in comparison. It took hard work to stay focused in my heart and find common ground.
I hung in there, and they hung in there. Through moments of grace, something shifted, and a bond was forged that transformed our filters. Our shared connection waylaid our stereotypes of each other, and we met human to human.
There were other times when I confronted my fears and prejudices. We planned to perform a ritual in a cave. Unexpectedly, we had to pay a fee to a group of men who gathered by our bus. The energy of these men made my gut uneasy, even instilling a sense of danger as they appeared to be hustling, confronting us as white tourists.
We each held a stereotype of the other, acting from a place that felt almost scripted. We were cautious and prepared to defend ourselves if we were being taken advantage of. Yet, at the same time, I embraced the possibility of opening our hearts to allow flow to occur, even if this was not fully conscious.
Something magical shifted through prayer, reverence, song, drumming, and inclusion in the cave. We came together in a shared synthesis of mutual respect. The lens through which we saw the other softened, and we were brothers and sisters.
This theme emerged as others shared their processes, highlighting the story of the other we carry that prevents us from being present. Judgment, hatred, fear, and alienation create a barrier between us, where we no longer see the other but instead focus on the narrative we construct about them.
Do we not often act from a script regarding who the other is, fostering further alienation? We create something new by infusing heart and awareness into our interactions with others. Here lies an opportunity for connection and a shift that enables us to perceive things differently. And yes, it requires hard work.
Is this not where we are each called right now? Are we not facing challenges in our relationships, a call for a new paradigm of understanding as we dismantle the patriarchal separation between us and others?
By bringing new awareness to our interactions, we can navigate the challenges we face during this tumultuous time and develop new solutions that support us all.
We hope to see you soon!
Much Love,
Carley and John