Living Without Definitions

At this time in our present history, we have the ability to be conscious of the stories we have been taught and how they define us, as well as the stories we unquestionably have believed about who another is. We can be willing to be unguarded with ourselves, and we can take responsibility for the result. We can marvel when we discover that the stories of previously demonized others (enemies) are as beautiful and multi-layered as our own.

We mature when we realize that some of the stories cherished as the foundation of our culture are flimsy and insubstantial in truth and are sometimes outrightly false. One generation’s true and defining story can be proved to be a lie in the next generation. Stories that celebrate freedom and revolution against tyranny can turn on themselves and become stories of reigns of terror.

We recognize the location of the story in our flesh and emotions. From this recognition choice is born. We have most often either chosen to continue the given story or to rebel against that story. There is yet another choice. We have the capacity to take a moment and release all stories. We can experience what it means to be nobody, uncovered even by our primary identity.

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Tim C.

1:27AM PDT on Mar 14, 2012

send a green star

Eternal G.

4:55PM PST on Feb 14, 2012

Freedom!

Rudolf A.

6:59AM PST on Feb 5, 2012

With you all the way Jane. Religion has probably done more harm to human beings and their relationships, be it person-to-person or across the world, than anything else.

Margarita P.

7:52AM PST on Jan 25, 2012

The article sounds good to me but I think it is one of those things that I understand intellectually without being able to make them work at the emotional level.

Kari K.

9:05AM PST on Jan 24, 2012

I totally missed any real content in this post!

Chad A.

4:35AM PST on Jan 23, 2012

Thank you for some moving inspiration to help me get through the things I need to do...

Shell S.

9:05PM PST on Jan 22, 2012

Love the post. Thank you : )

Past Member .

8:43PM PST on Jan 22, 2012

AWARENESS requires concentrated effort and time to think.

BELIEF SYSTEM requires trust before unquarded openness can occur.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY must replace "the blame game".

WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT "the other" as an equal, worthy of respect, understanding, giving to/receiving from.

With our current path of fast-tracking through the day, hard heartedness, mistrust, lust for power, greed, sadistic cruelty reaching into ALL species ... correction seems a distant dream.