Thank you. Very many who live under the government of their country do not wish for, have never agreed to, the things that their government has perpetrated in their name. They also do not have the option of moving away - those who live in Russia, as well as those in Palestine/Israel. We also stand with them as humans, as much as with the victims of uncivilised assaults upon civilians. Our humanity and our prayers, as much as our responsiveness to these actions, stand together. Because of the internet we can make ourselves known to each other. In the very worst of circumstances, I see us stand across the world hand in hand, keeping open a place in our hearts for every human being, as a mother awaiting her children might do, with the gladness of their returning home.
Yes I absolutely agree Caitlín, thank you for naming that so clearly. As an American I am stuck with my own government's behavior too, with no option of not being American. All of us as people of the earth stand together against oppression. x
We are not our bad government. Britain's historical and causative part in this strife is before my eyes, as I look on it. The tribal 'eye for an eye' is what we are fighting to change The way we think is connected our souls and to our actions, both.
Yes, again I agree, thank you Caitlín. That's where leaning into Yeshua's wisdom is so helpful for me personally right now, and both Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary-- that's just my personal place I go right now-- the radical nature of actually loving your neighbor, your enemy. This idea that God loves ALL of us equally. And yet also we decry injustice, we don't just stay silent. I hope that came through! I apologize if it didn't. I do believe it's important for us to name the corruption in our own governments, where we see it. I'm a walking banner of complicit governments and bloodlines; I don't blame or hate myself because I'm American or because I have colonial behavior in my ancestors, but I do do my best to alchemize all of that with love and accountability and forgiveness and clear-seeing and deep research; as much as I can. We are all doing our best, I know! x
Ah, in every collective we belong to, we are inherently complicit until we become aware of this. The wonderful theologian, Walter Wink, wrote movingly about this in his triple masterpiece Naming the Powers, Unmasking the Powers, Engaging the Powers - he wrote these books before. the fall of the Berlin Wall. then he wrote The Powers that Be - very enlightening stuff!
Bless you, Sylvia. Reading this is like receiving a drink of precious spring water after a journey through a desert of crying only bitter salt. I have no words except the poetry of witness. My MP is ignoring my letters. May Astarte and all the goddesses of the land be present for those who need them. 💛💔🖤
Thank you Lucy, I'm so glad. It's been so heartbreaking, these weeks. Your poem offerings that I've glimpsed on instagram are a drink of pure water too. xx
Thank you. It’s the only way I know to try and process it all. And if you (or anyone else here in the UK) want a little soul-healing and there’s a showing near you, do try and see The Nettle Dress film. It’s truly magical storytelling, and I think it would speak to everything you are doing here. 💛 https://www.nettledress.org/watch
Oh oh I loved this film! I saw it last spring. It was profound and mind-blowing too. Thank you for sharing it with us here. P.S. Also I think my MP and my representatives are ignoring mine as well, but I feel that the volume of letters/calls still helps x
Thank you, Sylvia. So beautiful and so important. And thank you for the books and resources too. Coincidentally, I am reading The Madonna Secret right now by Sophie Strand.. a beautiful retelling of the story of Mary Magdalene. <3
May all our breaking open hearts flow with the blessed waters of boundless holy springs, suffusing Love into the darkest fractures, nourishing the “Holy Trees of Life” everywhere.
Thank you, Sylvia. I find sustenance in your words and all that you are sharing, so that I can continue on through my voice, mind, heart, actions and privilege in solidarity for peace. Sending love to you and your dear heart xx
Dear Sylvia I only just came across your writing a few days ago and this has truly sustained me on this bleak day …it is like a keening that you have sent out to us ….. I all the time have the horror of what’s happening in the background of my mind and my life , sending healing prayers in whatever ways I have ever learnt in response while also going about my life as usual trying to give kindness where I can in perhaps a more conscious way than usual , and with a greater than usual gratitude for my own life and that of those around me and a consciousness of how all my problems dwindle into insignificance in comparison to the unimaginable suffering of those in Gaza right now.
Today I intended going to the march for Gaza in Cork city but life intruded . ( I travelled far in the other direction to attend an evening in honour of John moriarty at which Martin Shaw was the guest storyteller ) However tomorrow I go to choral evensong to join in prayer with others . Thank you for your beautiful words .
Thank you Sylvia for your passion, cry, and eloquence, and for stepping out of a dream with honest pleas, that are hard at times to find words for, amidst the sea of pain and confusion. 💜
Thank you. Very many who live under the government of their country do not wish for, have never agreed to, the things that their government has perpetrated in their name. They also do not have the option of moving away - those who live in Russia, as well as those in Palestine/Israel. We also stand with them as humans, as much as with the victims of uncivilised assaults upon civilians. Our humanity and our prayers, as much as our responsiveness to these actions, stand together. Because of the internet we can make ourselves known to each other. In the very worst of circumstances, I see us stand across the world hand in hand, keeping open a place in our hearts for every human being, as a mother awaiting her children might do, with the gladness of their returning home.
Yes I absolutely agree Caitlín, thank you for naming that so clearly. As an American I am stuck with my own government's behavior too, with no option of not being American. All of us as people of the earth stand together against oppression. x
We are not our bad government. Britain's historical and causative part in this strife is before my eyes, as I look on it. The tribal 'eye for an eye' is what we are fighting to change The way we think is connected our souls and to our actions, both.
Yes, again I agree, thank you Caitlín. That's where leaning into Yeshua's wisdom is so helpful for me personally right now, and both Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary-- that's just my personal place I go right now-- the radical nature of actually loving your neighbor, your enemy. This idea that God loves ALL of us equally. And yet also we decry injustice, we don't just stay silent. I hope that came through! I apologize if it didn't. I do believe it's important for us to name the corruption in our own governments, where we see it. I'm a walking banner of complicit governments and bloodlines; I don't blame or hate myself because I'm American or because I have colonial behavior in my ancestors, but I do do my best to alchemize all of that with love and accountability and forgiveness and clear-seeing and deep research; as much as I can. We are all doing our best, I know! x
Ah, in every collective we belong to, we are inherently complicit until we become aware of this. The wonderful theologian, Walter Wink, wrote movingly about this in his triple masterpiece Naming the Powers, Unmasking the Powers, Engaging the Powers - he wrote these books before. the fall of the Berlin Wall. then he wrote The Powers that Be - very enlightening stuff!
Bless you, Sylvia. Reading this is like receiving a drink of precious spring water after a journey through a desert of crying only bitter salt. I have no words except the poetry of witness. My MP is ignoring my letters. May Astarte and all the goddesses of the land be present for those who need them. 💛💔🖤
Thank you Lucy, I'm so glad. It's been so heartbreaking, these weeks. Your poem offerings that I've glimpsed on instagram are a drink of pure water too. xx
Thank you. It’s the only way I know to try and process it all. And if you (or anyone else here in the UK) want a little soul-healing and there’s a showing near you, do try and see The Nettle Dress film. It’s truly magical storytelling, and I think it would speak to everything you are doing here. 💛 https://www.nettledress.org/watch
Oh oh I loved this film! I saw it last spring. It was profound and mind-blowing too. Thank you for sharing it with us here. P.S. Also I think my MP and my representatives are ignoring mine as well, but I feel that the volume of letters/calls still helps x
Thank you, Sylvia. So beautiful and so important. And thank you for the books and resources too. Coincidentally, I am reading The Madonna Secret right now by Sophie Strand.. a beautiful retelling of the story of Mary Magdalene. <3
I’m reading it too. It’s wonderful.
May all our breaking open hearts flow with the blessed waters of boundless holy springs, suffusing Love into the darkest fractures, nourishing the “Holy Trees of Life” everywhere.
Peace and liberation for all.
Yes, what a beautiful beautiful image Sophia. Sending love to you and your heart xxx
Thank you, Sylvia. I find sustenance in your words and all that you are sharing, so that I can continue on through my voice, mind, heart, actions and privilege in solidarity for peace. Sending love to you and your dear heart xx
Amen, amen, amen.
Amen <3
Dear Sylvia I only just came across your writing a few days ago and this has truly sustained me on this bleak day …it is like a keening that you have sent out to us ….. I all the time have the horror of what’s happening in the background of my mind and my life , sending healing prayers in whatever ways I have ever learnt in response while also going about my life as usual trying to give kindness where I can in perhaps a more conscious way than usual , and with a greater than usual gratitude for my own life and that of those around me and a consciousness of how all my problems dwindle into insignificance in comparison to the unimaginable suffering of those in Gaza right now.
Today I intended going to the march for Gaza in Cork city but life intruded . ( I travelled far in the other direction to attend an evening in honour of John moriarty at which Martin Shaw was the guest storyteller ) However tomorrow I go to choral evensong to join in prayer with others . Thank you for your beautiful words .
Thank you Sylvia for your passion, cry, and eloquence, and for stepping out of a dream with honest pleas, that are hard at times to find words for, amidst the sea of pain and confusion. 💜