The Shrew View: On Security

“…peace and prosperity can only happen from a place of security.” – The Shrew

Women anywhere should be able to come together joyfully to celebrate their collective wisdom and achievements. I am, however, quite dismayed by the now annual women protest marches across the U.S. that promote a so-called resistance. In our representative democracy we the people have a voice and a vote in our lawmaking process. Transparency and inclusion during the process is what sets our nation apart from many other democracies. It amazes me that our country is as big as it is and, in general, works cooperatively to achieve progress in everyday life. So what are women resisting and why am I not at a city square marching amoung their ranks?

It has been my experience that peace and prosperity can only happen from a place of security. If the “resistance” is about protesting President Trump’s policies of increased boarder security and transparent participation in International affairs (as well as other things), then does this mean that women don’t want peace and prosperity? I will admit, I honestly did not believe that Trump had the brains to implement what he has done so far, and still at times I believe his brains are lacking. But his results to me demonstrate a cryptic sensibility (this must be because he has no sense of the Washington political machine). I contend that Hilary would have continued the same covert Obama tacticts of “say this, but do that” just as long as the “victim class” believes it will make us a better country. But how? This ambiguity of course is based on a moral relativism that only appeals to an emotional base. Recall that Obama didn’t solve the illegal immigration issue while the Democrats had control. Women should not give their power over to government elites AT ALL!! Women as much as anyone must be smart enough to know that personal choices are protected in our nation; it’s the consequences of those personal choices that are at issue. Ends do not justify the means in our country. And “justice for all”, not “justice for some”, is in our pledge. If we can argue the Constitutional protections clearly, we have all we need to demonstrate progress for social change.

You won’t find me at a resistance rally…Instead you can find me working directly with my local community, actively engaged with citizens of varying beliefs and traditions, working cooperatively on local matters, and reaching out to my representatives. It is hard work to dispel ignorance and create solutions. It is not a one day soap box event!

Shrew U: The Faceless Being and Hidden Treasure

Archetypes of the Human Spirit (Story Analysis)

Part 12

Archetype #10 – The Faceless Being

“Courage is the pure light of truth through which the Self must act”

An animated tree symbolizes the Hero, that part of your Self that is willing to leave the protection of the soul. If the soul is “immortal”, then to leave this immortality is a courageous act. There is risk in relying on your authentic Self and not your Ego as you confront your dragons. Notice that the animated tree also holds what appears to be a sword. This sword is your light of truth, and this truth points the way to hidden treasure.

Are you the Hero of your metaphysical journey?
Can this type of hero also be compared to what we call a prophet?
What Prophets in human history exemplify this type of journey?
Why do you think that you must let go of your Ego in order to take this journey?

Archetype #11 – Hidden Treasure

“Continue to seek the inner gifts that call you forward.”

Where the end of a rainbow meets a path there will be found a treasure of your making. Some say that this treasure is “God’s will”. God’s gift to humanity is the individual’s capacity to find meaning in his or her humanity…EPIPHANY!

It is up to each and every individual to take this metaphysical Hero Journey, a journey that exemplifies Love… Of yourself and of others.

Notice that beyond the rainbow the dragons appear as clouds. They are there to remind you that Ignorance and Insecurity can arise in you again. Also notice that these dragon clouds are playing with something circular that looks like the sun. This orb-like shape represents your wholeness, the many facets that complete your Self. This again is the Female Principle. How? The female symbolizes transformation because of the many transitions her physical body makes in her lifetime. These transitions are physiological while also requiring psychological courage, perseverance and humility…all conditions of the metaphysical Hero Journey.

Can this metaphysical journey be taken more than one time? If so, how can it be used to conquer difficulties in every day life?
Is this journey accessible to everyone? How might Prophets like Jesus, Budha, and Ghandi have shown us this path?
What other stories or myths have you learned that use the archetypal images similar in this journey?

“Our greatest treasure is that which is hidden deep within our own unconscious, it is that dark unused part of our self that is in fact light that is unconscious of itself.” ~ Carl Jung

Conclusion by the Author…

It is my wish that this story will offer guidance to anyone in need of a new way to envision hope. I think that our usual models of religious teaching are too cumbersome at times. This model is easy to use by any individual. May it prove useful.

Blessings,

Bette Brunswick

The Shrew View: Love binds people of goodwill

Love binds people of goodwill

Today is a day to reflect on the message of Martin Luther King, JR. His is a message of love and freedom; a freedom guaranteed by God and reflected in the U.S. Constitution:

“…in order to form a more perfect Union…secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity…”

In the early 1960’s there was no better person to secure these Blessings for people of color. Our lawmakers failed to be responsible leaders entrusted to uphold the Constitution. One might suggest that this failed responsibility dates all the way back to our founding as a nation, but I think that would be taking the easy route, condemning every step toward the progress of achieving a message of freedom.

“Humans have been literally torturing each other for centuries as they grope toward this Chalis of fulfillment.” – The Shrew

Our U.S. Constitution is the tool enabling wholeness in our country. No other country puts the responsibility of freedom in the hands of each individual. It is law makers who abuse this insight by putting limits on ideas instead of on their lawmaking capabilities. Martin Luther King, JR knew instinctively that the idea of a black person sitting where a sign indicated that they were not allowed by law to sit would challenge the lawmaker’s unconstitutional limitations on God’s creation. King gave power back to the people – all people, because injustice is never visible in God’s kingdom which is where the human soul finds strength to conquer the perceived injustice in the world of mankind.

Love binds people of goodwill. In a nation of diverse ideas, those people of goodwill come together to solve the issues at hand. There is no us vs. them. There is only…

“We the People…”

Shrew U: The Forest, Dragons and Tongues

Archetypes of the Human Spirit (Story Analysis)

Part 11

Archetype #7 – The Forest

“As the forest matures with nature’s care so, too, does the soul.”

The Forest represents fertility, life, renewal and the spiritual aspects of your Self. Your thoughts and emotions take root in the fertile soil and give life to your soul’s essence. Only you can attest to the care that is taken with your soul. Your secrets define your emerging authenticity. Forgiving yourself as well as forgiving others who do not know you as you know yourself are measures of maturation. Notice that this archetype aligns with the Female Principle (refer to post, “The Shrew View”, November 3, 2017).

Do you take time to honestly know yourself?
Could a walk along a familiar wooded path bring you the contemplation your soul deserves? Why does your soul deserve this activity?

Archetype #8 – The Dragons

“Dragons reveal an intensity of character that cannot be denied”

Dragons are intense aberrations. These are deviations from maturity. I name one dragon Ignorance to reference all that you probably still have yet to know and learn about yourself and about other human beings. I name the second dragon Insecurity to reference all the human beings and material things that you believe you need in your physical life, however this “need” is in actuality a deep want for self recognition but only in the physical realm. Know these dragons well because if you ignore them, their intensity lashes out in behaviors you may not expect of yourself.

Can you identify your dragons when they appear? What behaviors do they bring out of you?
Why do you think your dragons have a relationship with the people and things in your physical life? Can you identify these relationships? Are the behaviors relating to these relationships worth the energy that is given to them?

Archetype #9 – Tongues

“Criticism must be heard intelligently”

Tongues represent criticism, either told to you about you or directed at you from yourself. If you haven’t taken the time to nurture your soul then you will not be able to identify weather criticism is valid. If the criticism is valid, how do you then apply that that criticism toward self improvement? Notice that these tongues are of the dragons and are intertwined.

Is all criticism bad? If it is, then how can you turn the information into constructive criticism?
Because these tongues come from dragons, does the criticism also apply to the relationships in your life? How?

**Next up…The conclusion of “Archetypes of the Human Spirit”

Shrew U: The Monster and The Guide

Archetypes of the Human Spirit (Story Analysis)

Part 10

Archetype #5: The Monster

“To dwell solely on failure and loss may consume all efforts to improve.”

I depicted this archetype as a very large and gruesome fish that has the ability to attack. Making choices means that a choice might be wrong and, in this case, the repercussions of a wrong choice could be so overwhelming that you might not be able to continue your metaphysical hero journey. To be “in the belly of the beast” is to be in a very bad place.

When have you made choices that did not end well? Were you able to learn from your mistakes?
Can the darkness of being in this “belly” be compared to being in the “womb” of darkness? What is the difference?

Archetype #6: The Guide

“Wisdom will take much time to acquire.”

A guide that comes to help with your journey can come in many forms. A wise old man in this case signify’s the heavens (white hair like clouds and blue eyes like sky). Notice the light inside his eyes. This light is a reminder of your search for purpose.

Do you trust in the authentic wisdom of your inner voice? Is this voice different from your intuition? If so, then how?
In your life, can you find real people who listen well and do not judge?

If your metaphysical Self has made it this far, you have only just begun the transformative process…

Shrew U: The Road and The River

Archetypes of the Human Spirit (Story Analysis)

Part Nine

Archetype #3: The Road

“Pay attention to all that is seen and not seen.”

We all travel a unique road in our metaphysical “journey”. No matter your sex, skin color, religious belief, or up-bringing, the story is only yours. The start of this journey is new to the Self and offers a glimpse of innocence. Allowing yourself to know the concept of innocence in this way can help you to clear away any emotional baggage that you carry from your physical life. Be curious on this journey. However, if you stray from the road you will always be off course. The road leads to your purpose, and everything that comes across the road is a necessary developmental stage.

What cultures or religions emphasize a journey of inner personal growth?
Are you able to imagine yourself without sin?
In your daily life are you as aware of those things that you cannot see or know as you are about those that you can see or know?
Do you discover those things that you cannot see or know by using contempt (sinful)? Or, do you discover them with curiosity and humility (moral)?

Archetype #4; The River

“Choices give life definition like a river that has cut its path through time.”

Choices are like a river that is in your way. This archetype is very important because if you never try to cross it (i.e. Make a choice), your Self will never mature as it should.

The water in a river moves downstream and you cannot know it’s depth unless you go into it. Crossing to the other side represents a change to your Self.

How do you feel when there is change in your life or when you know you need to change your behavior?
River water is perpetually returning waters. In life there is usually more than one choice. What do you think about your own choices?

Shrew U: Three Anchient Pillars

Archetypes of the Human Spirit (Story analysis)

Part Eight

Archetype #2; Three Anchient Pillars

“Three anchient pillars remain steadfast and sure as if they contain the wisdom of all generations”

This archetype represents support. As we know, it takes at least three legs to support a stool or a table. Think of the Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) or the great triangular pyramids that symbolize the integration of self and soul. Three represents the physical nature that is heaven, earth and waters as well as The Triad of beginning, middle and end. All of these are measures of maturity.

Inside this strength formation is light that is reaching toward infinity. This is the great power of your Self which has no limits unless it is burdened by your own judgements as represented by the clouds. The clouds that cut across the pillars form the shape of a cross or dagger representing bravery.

There is a road leaving and a road returning. This is the metaphysical path of the hero’s journey. It is not enough to be born into existence, you must be “born again” to self actualization…A Femal Priciple of transformation.

What or who is part of your spiritual support system?
Where are you in the story of your Self?
What limits do you place on your own power of self discovery?
Are you brave enough to take this hero journey?

Shrew U: Archetypes for Being

Archetypes of the Human Spirit

Part Seven

“Humans have been literally torturing each other for centuries as they grope toward a chalice of fulfillment.” The Shrew

How do we teach each other about each other?

Our individual experiences help to shape what we believe to be true about ourselves and about each other. Consequently, an individual is easily given to influences. Those persons, or “influencers”, around an individual can be mistaken as the mold for that individual, and when this happens the individual is no longer that unique creature of his or her life and liberty. Therefore, we each bear the responsibility to seek a greater awareness of our unique purpose also known as our pursuit of happiness.

These are not new concepts. Humans have been literally torturing each other for centuries as they grope toward a chalice of fulfillment. In the United States we have the best chance of attaining individual freedom based on actual resources of shared opportunities. I believe this is where we are today. It is most interestingly evidenced by the women in our U.S. Culture, and the influence here is what I call the Female Principle (FP). Those who embody the FP are know as a Shrew.

In my first blog post (The Shrew View, Nov. 3, 2017) I describe the Shrew as having these qualities:

Emotional maturity
Openness as a condition toward wholeness
Fortitude
Humility

My story, Archetypes of the Human Spirit, recounts the metaphysical steps toward individual happiness. It is a forward driven motion of heroic proportion that when actualized on an individual level can reveal the promise of what our “Creator” intended for his or her human creature. The following analysis provides a deeper understanding of this story for the purpose of finding the happiness we all desire…

Archetype #1; Light and Dark

“Your light of truth will evolve as you leave the storm of darkness”

I depicted this Archetype in two ways:

A vast dark area with a bright spot in the shape of a triangle pointed downward.
A combination of two fetuses with a separation between them.

The fetuses represent the individual in a conflict of duality and with a separation that acts as the “waste” depository for unnecessary emotional baggage.

What does conflict mean to you?
What is your unnecessary emotional baggage?

The triangle of light represents the exit from the womb of darkness and dependency.

Can you think of religions or myths that rely on these Archetypes? There are many, and this is just the beginning (Genesis!).
Can we consider this a Female Principle?

Next, I will reveal the Archetype of the number 3…