Vulnerable and Powerless

November 13, 2016
Twelve Steps.  In my quiet time this morning, I decided to review the Twelve Steps.
Start with the first one.
Step One:  "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol -- that our lives had become unmanageable."

Of course, anything we perceive as a problem can be substituted for the word "alcohol".  So I began to insert my own list.  I am powerless over:
 - US election results
 - Religion and politics
 - Organizations selling themselves
 - Political rhetoric
 - News Media
 - Endless things that call for my attention

I may argue over this list with myself, trying to guilt myself to get out there and carry on in a frenzy to try to change things.  And I can do that if I want, but if I do, I must admit the truth that I am powerless over the results of all of it.  I can write on this blog and while I do that I know I am powerless of the results or the influence of what I write.  Even so, I am compelled to write for myself and just put it out there.

Yesterday, I wrote:

"There are two ideas about Christ.  One is the Christ of the fundamental church, the idea that was taught to me from an early age.  This Christ was the one and only historical Jesus of Nazareth.  The other idea is that Jesus embodied the "Eternal Christ" that lives in all things and in an especially conscious way via human freewill.   A picture comes to mind of Jesus turning over the tables of the "money-changers" in the temple.  That is presented as a historical event involving the historical person of Jesus responding to the  "Christedness" living in his divine consciousness.  Is it now time for the Universal  "Christedness" living in us to turn over the tables of economic servitude foisted on the people by the interests of an elite oligarchy?"

I am reflecting that the term "Christedness"  is all inclusive of what is true, beautiful, and good.
Let me experiment with substituting "Oneness" for "Christedness".

"There are two ideas about Christ.  One is the Christ of the fundamental church, the idea that was taught to me from an early age.  This Christ was the one and only historical Jesus of Nazareth.  The other idea is that Jesus embodied the "Eternal One" that lives in all things and in an especially conscious way via human freewill.   A picture comes to mind of Jesus turning over the tables of the "money-changers" in the temple.  That is presented as a historical event involving the historical person of Jesus responding to the  "Oneness" living in his divine consciousness.  Is it now time for the Universal  "Oneness" living in us to turn over the tables of economic servitude foisted on the people by the interests of an elite oligarchy?"

If I perceive the "table-turning" inwardly, a change of focus from an outer act to an inner transformation, how does that change my perception of how the Universal "Oneness" living in us might actually turn the tables of economic servitude?   I have no answer for this.  I would consider honestly and openly both the "inner" and "outer" mechanisms of unity.  I see people marching in the streets and I feel supportive.  I am planning to attend the Women's March on Washington, D.C. on January 21.  I am keenly aware that I have no power of what the impact of such a march might be, and I am also keenly aware that I must march in peace first and foremost within my own heart. My purpose for marching is not to protest election outcomes of President Trump and his team, but to add my voice of support for tolerance and equality for all people everywhere.  I have no control over why other people are marching, but I do want to be clear in my own heart as to why I am.  I resolve to fortify my "inner" kingdom with peace, happiness, and joy.  Wherever I go and whatever I choose to do, may my purpose be peace, happiness, and joy for myself all for all people everywhere.

So shall I now judge the President-elect Trump by his past rhetoric?  Do I want to be judged by my own past rhetoric?  How many times have I lashed out in anger and impatience in the past?   More than I care to admit.  Yet I give myself the space for evolving to more love and acceptance.  I now consciously give Donald Trump the same space for evolving and growing, extending to him peace, happiness, and joy.  I have no power over what anyone else says or does.  But I do have power over my personal thoughts and responses.

I think it will be fun to go to Washington, D.C. and march.  But really, this is an easy thing to do.  I must consider that many, many of my sisters who voted for Donald Trump are not participating in this march.  I do not know how to reach them, but I am willing to do so.  I want to understand and accept them.  I am grateful for the leaders such as Bernie Sanders and Michael Moore who have been able to reach out to folks who disagree with them on some high profile issues to find common ground and maybe even common purpose.  Perhaps by openly admitting powerlessness, powerful common ground and purpose can be revealed.

We are one. We are all doing time.  We are in this together.