We don't even know how to sit with our own feelings of loss and pain and anger and jealousy, and, instead of acting on them, simply learn how to be with them, somatically; we don't know how to sit with our feelings and let them teach us about ourselves. Instead we run to cope: with alcohol, with drugs, with social media. I've been there, you've been there, we've all been there. We're out here trying to change systems, meanwhile our own system is running on autopilot. We want to reform hundred-year old institutions but what about our own million-year old constitutions? What about our limbic system? It's 150 million years old. How about we work on that system? How's that for reform?
I’ve been thinking about this. We need to talk more about how our nervous systems interact with our immune systems. We’re obsessed with shots and pills, but the whole field of psychoneuroimmunology tells us that we’re overlooking one of the most powerful, ancient tools we have for supporting a strong, balanced immune response, and that’s balancing and nurturing our own minds and nervous systems.
This really gets down to the core of it - a necessary predicate to being able to influence external systems is the recognition that we as individuals need to commit to doing our own work along the way. Thank you, I deeply appreciate what you are spreading in the world.
I consciously try to be ok with my feelings, and not use food, drugs, sleep, etc. And have been working on that for years, but it feels that I’m no closer to that goal.
I try meditation in particular to help with that (which I believe you do too), but it’s still really elusive for me. Even after years of therapy and an embracing support network.
Chloe, you have a beautiful way with words. I am waiting for the best selling novel which (hopefully) you are going to write someday. Sometimes it seems like we're living in some weird version of the Matrix where our brains can never truly accept truth (because of our own mental blocks), unless we are told it, through fiction, in a story which flows effortlessly from beginning to end. that's just me though
This calls to mind an interesting interview I heard with Edith Eger, an Auschwitz’ survivor and psychologist in her 90s . When asked what we should do if we observe that aspects of modern culture ( Trump, etc.) are encouraging people to act like Nazis, she replied that the best thing to do is “ look for the Nazi in yourself.” Easier said than done, but probably way more productive than calling out others.
I’ve been thinking about this. We need to talk more about how our nervous systems interact with our immune systems. We’re obsessed with shots and pills, but the whole field of psychoneuroimmunology tells us that we’re overlooking one of the most powerful, ancient tools we have for supporting a strong, balanced immune response, and that’s balancing and nurturing our own minds and nervous systems.
oooo yea i like this
This really gets down to the core of it - a necessary predicate to being able to influence external systems is the recognition that we as individuals need to commit to doing our own work along the way. Thank you, I deeply appreciate what you are spreading in the world.
I consciously try to be ok with my feelings, and not use food, drugs, sleep, etc. And have been working on that for years, but it feels that I’m no closer to that goal.
I try meditation in particular to help with that (which I believe you do too), but it’s still really elusive for me. Even after years of therapy and an embracing support network.
HOW, I think, is the question.
Chloe, you have a beautiful way with words. I am waiting for the best selling novel which (hopefully) you are going to write someday. Sometimes it seems like we're living in some weird version of the Matrix where our brains can never truly accept truth (because of our own mental blocks), unless we are told it, through fiction, in a story which flows effortlessly from beginning to end. that's just me though
This calls to mind an interesting interview I heard with Edith Eger, an Auschwitz’ survivor and psychologist in her 90s . When asked what we should do if we observe that aspects of modern culture ( Trump, etc.) are encouraging people to act like Nazis, she replied that the best thing to do is “ look for the Nazi in yourself.” Easier said than done, but probably way more productive than calling out others.