I am going through FB this morning and there is a continuing thread I am seeing in a very different light…..the animal / equine welfare issue. It is absolutely atrocious what happens within the standard practice of animal care, keeping and use, as well as the laws for protection and the use and guidelines of what we call livestock. In Canada at least, horses fall between the cracks being neither livestock nor pets for the most part. Although, the wild horses in Alberta are considered feral and therefore have the same rights as stray dogs.
Our laws and practices of care are defined by the level of consciousness in the collective. The level of consciousness in the collective is defined by the emotional sustainability of the collective. Emotional sustainability is defined by (most generally speaking at this time) the amount of fear (or freedom) each individual in the collective holds. The amount of fear (freedom) each person holds defines the amount of integrity and quality of ethical behaviour they can express. Active expression of fear, or active protection of the fears within each of us (meaning whether or not we actively believe in our fears and are hiding because of them(unconsciously)) is the key piece to enacting or perpetuating all harm, disconnection, poor behaviour, negative thought. It is what fuels the quality of the world we are living in now. It is what causes all of us distress when we look around.
I have been sitting with this for a few days now and the more time I sit with it the more I realise that yes, fear is the underpinning emotion, but learned helplessness (resulting from the fear) is the reason all of this continues. Few of us are actively causing harm to ourselves, others or animals. Learned helplessness is when a person or animal believes fight or flight (both appropriate responses to fear) is futile, so paralysis sets in. Consider this….how do you become paralysed, ineffective, passive in your life and in creating things that are important to you? How do you stop yourself from making true change or living your passion…or even knowing your true passion for that matter? Is your contribution overt or covert? To give this context I will add that one of the things I love about Trump, is that he is exposing much collective shadow by giving covert negativity, a format to expose itself. Without that it can not be healed.
The reason we live in the world we do is because, for the most part we exist within a linear spectrum. Those who enact harm and those who allow it. They are different sides of the same coin. This might seem upsetting to some. But, have you ever watched a homeless person struggle to keep themselves warm and done nothing? Or eaten meat without having looked a cow in the eye, or held a chicken in your arms so you are fully informed about what being a meat eater truly is?Why am I pointing out and going through such a detailed description of a very negative situation?…..well, we each need to be aware of the points at which we allow ourselves to get caught up, or stuck in this game. It really is just a game or like a puzzle,…collecting pieces, creating a bigger picture,….and then keep moving to discover more…. It is a game of discovery really. Discovering who we TRULY are rather than believing in any limitation we might think is true. Discovery of a benevolent universe, galaxy and planetary system. Discovery of a benevolent earth…and the love for her children. Discovery that Goodness is a foundational principle here, and playing the game to find it is what allows each of us to uncover it in this reality as well as give others an opportunity to find it and experience it. Beauty is the essence behind all creation…harmonious and loving. Truth is an essential right in all of creation. And LOVE is the fabric of our reality and the substance our being and all other beings are made of. Those are the things that are uncovered and integrated in this journey.
Since there is no “done” and since none of us are witnessing the world we truly want as we look around, how can you move to the next level within yourself and add to the work you have already done? How can you be even MORE of what and who you truly are? It is our interconnectedness that is the dynamic that allows our own personal work, commitment and courage to ripple out and benefit all. Can you commit to being even more courageous and fearless, to contribute and support yourself and others to bring about the benevolent world we all want to live in? A society that loves and cares for all of us. Where we understand the interconnectedness and that we can not cause harm, or act out of ignorance without also harming ourselves. In this world it will be impossible for us to treat animals as we currently do. It becomes impossible for us to act (or not act) in a way that causes/allows harm and suffering to others…..any others. No matter who or what they are. We will be awake and aware.Deepest Peace…Heather