A Mystic Journey

Women have been seen as possessions throughout history, and that view seems to be returning. How could that be happening?

I am outraged for all women.

I never felt unsupported. Yet in marriage, I was expected to cook, clean, be an emotional support as well as an equal earner. I accepted that until I didn’t. My story is not important nor unusual. But I feel the pain for all women who had life tougher than I did, who lost so much of themselves in relationships. I am realizing that happened and continues to happen even to women much younger than I am. Too many of us continue to be silenced.

We must now lead the way to take back our rights: The ones we thought we had, such as the right to abortion, until we realized we didn’t. As our freedoms are gradually being stripped away, we can no longer be quiet. Not any of us. Not at all. 

We understand empathy and compassion. Now we can use those traits to help a seemingly confused and chaotic world. 

Each in our own way, we must reach out and do something, 

no matter how small or large that may be.

I am a spiritual writer, so what I do is write about spiritual commitments. My belief is that we are all here to help humans evolve. We do that by raising our vibrations and raising our consciousness. We do that by feeling and promoting compassion. This does not mean ignoring or condoning any abhorrent acts. This means rising above to see the bigger picture. This means recognizing that what is happening is wrong.

There is hope. But action is needed.

Compassion

Understanding Compassion is one of our biggest challenges. I had many responses from my recent article, “A Spiritual Response to Epstein and Maxwell.” I was asked for a further discussion on Compassion because it is hard to feel that emotion for those two sex-traffickers and all of the men and women, not yet named or held accountable in the Epstein Files. I suggested compassion without judgment or revenge. I understand how difficult that is, which is also why it is so important. Because it is so hard.

In reference to Epstein, Maxwell and all abusers, I realized how we are, unconsciously, responsible for how that could have happened and how easily that cover up occurred. We never questioned much of the control men tried to have over us as we grew up, sometimes from our fathers and too often from our husbands. What we didn’t question became a norm we didn’t realize. Not until the extremes of that child sex trafficking involved so many men, and some women, in positions of power. 

First, it is okay to feel rage, I do. I was guilty of allowing men to be more important. How many of us had kind, but abusive and alcoholic fathers or husbands? Surprising how many of my friends remembered, in later years, some form of sexual or physical violence from childhood. We need to stand up to those who are still around and who continue to take advantage of their power. 

But we can’t get lost in our anger. 

We need to step back to see how we can help. 

I can’t recite all of the current concerns. We are aware of them, such as the messages against Blacks, Latinos, Mexicans, Native Americans, immigrants, Jews, Muslims, those in the LGBTQ+ community, and all other marginalized groups. In addition, the rise of the White Supremacists and the Christian Nationals is so troubling. And now, the military is testing testosterone levels for all men over 30. Really? Such a pathetic attempt at male dominance. As the disparity in wealth continues to grow, so does the privilege of those with power and money. Too often, that means men.

Universal Principles

In my previous article, I mentioned the Cosmic, or Universal, Principles that have existed for thousands of years. I talked about the Second Principle of “Everything Happens for a Reason” and how we can trust the Universe that holds everyone accountable for their actions, for any and all actions. To further the discussion, I want to add the First Principle of “Everything is Connected.”  

We, of course, are part of “Everything.” 

We are not alone. 

We are connected to the world; all is one. 

“As above, so below” is another way to describe this First Principle. We are interrelated; there is a unity in life. The smallest atom and the largest galactic unit are connected and governed by the same rules. We are part of everything around us, and everything is part of us. 

Since we are all connected, Epstein, Maxwell and all other abusers are also part of us. Condemning them is condemning ourselves. Think about the people we dislike, disagree with, or with whom we are angry. If all are one, then they represent some part of us, too. We are mad at something within, or are refusing to forgive an aspect of ourselves. We are connected, whether we like it or not.

Control is an issue many of us struggle with. Are we annoyed at other people because we resent not being the one in charge or resent anyone else having any control over us? Did this happen with too many of the men in our lives? If so, we can acknowledge that, release the anger, and find forgiving thoughts for any domineering or harmful men. This is not condoning their actions, just a higher perspective.

The way to change the world is to change ourselves.

On a spiritual level, we are all souls in human bodies with potential for darkness. While we may not exhibit any negativity, we must accept the human capacity for a shadow side. The many abusers, both on a large and small scale, could not have succeeded without so many others allowing and aiding them. This does not lessen their crimes, just perhaps lessens our judgment. We are here to help humans evolve. We can only do that with compassion and love for all. 

In forgiving others, we forgive ourselves. 

We belong to a larger picture. 

Everyone is connected.

There is reason for optimism. Our awareness is important. As we look around, there are glimmers of hope. See those and rejoice in any instances of abuse being called out and any amount of control being contained. Be grateful for all that we have now and how hard we fought to get here. Our work continues, though. 

This is not about being anti-men. 

This is just being pro-women.

We can encourage our women friends to stand up for themselves. We can vote, protest, and be informed. We can answer any hate with love. That is the larger response as we strive to be better and more evolved people.

Our spiritual work remains: finding compassion, 

even when it seems so hard to do.