"I came to an uncomfortable conclusion: that the Germans were not a special breed of evil, but that we are all capable of inflicting unimaginable horrors on each other, turning a blind eye, or, choosing to stand up for the truth, justice, and be a force of good."
So true... it is in all of us... so we must choose... still waters... or tsunami...
Here is my latest yogic poem for you for Reverse Triangle Pose, which I posted for those feeling... undone, uncertain, unsettled...
God bless you for having the courage to write this. People who call for peace are always hated the most. As a mother I fear for all the children who witness the annihilation and hatred from their palms. No one is okay. The poem felt calming in a tumultuous time
Thank you so much Corie. This essay was one of the hardest thing I have ever written, and it has cost me some close relationships. But it was the least I can do. It breaks my heart to see all this suffering and not be able to do anything about it. I so desperately want it to stop.
Thank you Sadia. That is how I feel too, as a mother. I want you to do my part in healing this fractured world, even if it is a very small gesture. You are welcome to share my words if you like. I purposely made everything available, without subscription:)
We are with you in your search for still water. Together we can hold this place, a place of grace and compassion and love. That is our divine responsibility.
Still water. Thank you for your writing. Jewish voices for peace are so important in this conflict to counteract the right wing Israeli propaganda machine and I know it comes at a cost for you as the cry of 'traitor' or 'anti-semite' is never far behind, sadly. I pray (and protest, write letters to politicians, give money to charity) for a deep and lasting peace.
This is beautiful. Never again means never for ANYONE. I don't know how the two peoples will learn to share the land, but I still have hope. In 1985 I wrote a research paper on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. 200 years of conflict and there seemed to be no end possible and yet peace happened. I know they are different situations but still the same sense that nothing would ever be able to stop the cycle. And so I will hope for every Israeli family and every Palestinian family that a generation would rise up and find a new way of doing things. Still water.
This is so interesting Rea. In my first version of this essay I mentioned Ireland and South Africa as countries we could learn from! As the essay became too long I cut it out, but I look onto Ireland and South Africa for hope.
Imola, you are articulating what I think many of us think and feel. Growing up in the US in the 70's, I was steeped in "never again." These words of yours could be mine over the past 8 or so years: "I was not only mourning the dead, but something greater, more personal: beliefs about the country I grew up in, and my childhood. Something was lost forever." I think so many of us, across the globe, have lost beliefs about the world and our place in it, and if we are paying any attention at all, we know that more loss is surely coming. I think, in my country, that loss and fear of more loss is the thing that binds those of us on both sides of our divide, but we can't see it for the ways in which our differences have been revealed. There needs to be so much more nuance. Those with power don't seem to see it, perhaps because they are not at risk in the ways ordinary people are. I am glad you wrote from your heart, even if it is heavy. Being reminded that I am not alone in my stance (about what's happening in Israel/Palestine and other places) made mine a little lighter.
Oh I’m so relieved Rita! And touched!! I’ve suspected that my views are far from being radically different and I dared to hope that even shared by the majority. But with all the intimidation that comes from the extremes we are bullied into silence. Well, I won’t be intimidated. Too much is at stake. I have two daughters I’m trying to raise in a kinder world. I need to find that stillness and compassion. Your comment makes me feel less alone and I thank you for it! Xx
Still water. Thank you for this work, it encapsulates everything that I am feeling and struggling to out in to words. A powerful reminder for me as well.
came across this now and sadly still as relevant as ever..still water. may we be peace. thank you for writing this.
Yes, sadly :( I'm praying for this essay to be irrelevant. Thank you for commenting. Still water.
Feels even more like a wish for still water
"I came to an uncomfortable conclusion: that the Germans were not a special breed of evil, but that we are all capable of inflicting unimaginable horrors on each other, turning a blind eye, or, choosing to stand up for the truth, justice, and be a force of good."
So true... it is in all of us... so we must choose... still waters... or tsunami...
Here is my latest yogic poem for you for Reverse Triangle Pose, which I posted for those feeling... undone, uncertain, unsettled...
A yogic poem!? Wow, Cori, you speak my language!! Link?
https://coriefeiner.substack.com/p/a-poem-for-reverse-triangle-pose?r=1vl0c8
I wrote a poem for 84 poses. I am excited to hear what you think!
A misquote of Rumi: Be like a still forest pool and see what strange and wonderful creatures drink of you.
beautiful.
God bless you for having the courage to write this. People who call for peace are always hated the most. As a mother I fear for all the children who witness the annihilation and hatred from their palms. No one is okay. The poem felt calming in a tumultuous time
More people should read your essay Imola.
Yes, they should. Her essay humanizes all that we have to hold... it is biblical the mother... and all we are trying to hold.
Thank you so much Corie. This essay was one of the hardest thing I have ever written, and it has cost me some close relationships. But it was the least I can do. It breaks my heart to see all this suffering and not be able to do anything about it. I so desperately want it to stop.
Thank you Sadia. That is how I feel too, as a mother. I want you to do my part in healing this fractured world, even if it is a very small gesture. You are welcome to share my words if you like. I purposely made everything available, without subscription:)
Still water ❤️☮️
Thank you Lisa!! Still water ❤️
Words are not my strong suit, so I’ll share yours if you don’t mind speaking for me.
Of course Lisa!
Still water…
May your words spark a ripple of love that spreads peace to all who read them…
Thank you for your honesty …
Amen.
Thank you so much Cyndi! That is my prayer and wish.
Thank you @Ted Carter!
We are with you in your search for still water. Together we can hold this place, a place of grace and compassion and love. That is our divine responsibility.
Thank you so much Jane! I am feeling already lighter!
Still water. Thank you for your writing. Jewish voices for peace are so important in this conflict to counteract the right wing Israeli propaganda machine and I know it comes at a cost for you as the cry of 'traitor' or 'anti-semite' is never far behind, sadly. I pray (and protest, write letters to politicians, give money to charity) for a deep and lasting peace.
Thank you Kirsten. Still water back to you and for all your hard work.
This is beautiful. Never again means never for ANYONE. I don't know how the two peoples will learn to share the land, but I still have hope. In 1985 I wrote a research paper on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. 200 years of conflict and there seemed to be no end possible and yet peace happened. I know they are different situations but still the same sense that nothing would ever be able to stop the cycle. And so I will hope for every Israeli family and every Palestinian family that a generation would rise up and find a new way of doing things. Still water.
The Troubles were brought to mind for me too, when reading this.
Amazing. So maybe what I ended up editing out was there in spirit…?
This is so interesting Rea. In my first version of this essay I mentioned Ireland and South Africa as countries we could learn from! As the essay became too long I cut it out, but I look onto Ireland and South Africa for hope.
Still Water Imola ❤️& ☮️
Thank you Betsy. (Teary eyed me). Still water.
Still Water.
Thank you Louise! Still water back to you.
"probably because I’m such a clueless idiot" No, you are neither, as this compassionate post proves.
Thank you Richard!
Imola, you are articulating what I think many of us think and feel. Growing up in the US in the 70's, I was steeped in "never again." These words of yours could be mine over the past 8 or so years: "I was not only mourning the dead, but something greater, more personal: beliefs about the country I grew up in, and my childhood. Something was lost forever." I think so many of us, across the globe, have lost beliefs about the world and our place in it, and if we are paying any attention at all, we know that more loss is surely coming. I think, in my country, that loss and fear of more loss is the thing that binds those of us on both sides of our divide, but we can't see it for the ways in which our differences have been revealed. There needs to be so much more nuance. Those with power don't seem to see it, perhaps because they are not at risk in the ways ordinary people are. I am glad you wrote from your heart, even if it is heavy. Being reminded that I am not alone in my stance (about what's happening in Israel/Palestine and other places) made mine a little lighter.
Oh I’m so relieved Rita! And touched!! I’ve suspected that my views are far from being radically different and I dared to hope that even shared by the majority. But with all the intimidation that comes from the extremes we are bullied into silence. Well, I won’t be intimidated. Too much is at stake. I have two daughters I’m trying to raise in a kinder world. I need to find that stillness and compassion. Your comment makes me feel less alone and I thank you for it! Xx
Still water. Thank you for this work, it encapsulates everything that I am feeling and struggling to out in to words. A powerful reminder for me as well.
You are my still water