Man's Heart

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"Admit what you feel, feel it, and then give it up. You must surrender before you engage the influence of the negative. The issue is not that you experience the emotions. The issue is what you DO in response to the emotions." - Iyanla Vanzant

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Ever notice how some men are feeling less and less, and and doing less these days? It is as if they are becoming more miserly with their energy. It's because men have been acculturated to live more in their minds than in their hearts.

Thus we have this thing we live with called "dominator culture", or patriarchy (which goes way back to the beginning of time).

But for some men, it is so built-in that they never grow beyond it. In this heart image, you can see it's yearning to grow. If you look closely, you will also see a spiritual eye, deep down in there.

In the '60's, when young men were fed up, and more willing to be experimental, and were doing things in America, like refusing to participate in the draft, and dropping LSD, that eye was starting to get opened a little.

We have always had young men like that in our histories, you know, who took chances and lost their minds doing it, literally. Drugs, you see, dissolve boundaries. (But that's another post.)

It is NOT just about being being male, but also how all of us are using our masculine or yang energy out there in the world... American women have become harder, more self-serving as we also experiment with our male energy.

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There is a great spiritual shift happening on the earth right now.
Some people are not going to make it, are they, Lord?

"Surrender allows us to face the things we fear and places us in the offensive position. When we surrender we mentally go through to the end, through the thing that we fear, which in effect releases us fear-thoughts from the mind. It also makes room in your mind and in your heart, for the Divine to give you a new idea." - Iyanla Vanzant

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Dear Jesus,
help us not to be just flailing around
on the planet in self-interest.
Help us all to balance our masculine, male energy,
so we can continue to be
the great creators and lovers,
the avatars you would want us to be.
Guide us into directions where we can dis-cover
the passion and enthusiasm
which makes us Divine.

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Here's My Heart

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Here's My Heart, Lord... There is so much change going on, Lord... Each day I feel as if my heart is mutating in time. I feel You molding me, shaping me, shaking the negative chi out of me. I'm trusting in You, Jesus. I wish I could break it down...! I wish I could say what's really on my mind and place it here, entrust it to You, and give it away so I can get clear. Day by day my heart feels more and more like clay... And it's just enough to surround myself with LOVE.

Help Our Hearts, Jesus.



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Jesus, You gave me everything...

You have got to help me break it down; I have so much anger inside. My heart burns for the pain of being human. I am present here, watching how we destroy the earth... Bring cruelty to animals... Neglect and repress our spirits; how we indulge in waste... Treat one another as being disposable!

And that's just the beginning...


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There are many great misunderstandings, much unresolved anger between people because... I think it is human nature for people to hear only what they want to hear. So some people say they are hearing, when in actuality they are controlling, distorting, perverting, and never resolving. Forgive me, for trespassing, Lord...

There is a difference between listening and hearing.

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To really hear someone, you have to listen with your heart.
And
sometimes you have to ask for the same in return.

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We deny our actions,
responsibilities and good intentions, good health.
I am present with You here, God,
burning inside...
Like Fire.

Maybe it's just not me, God.
Some people are not making it, are they?
Some people are getting more than sick inside.
What will the Rapture be?
Tell me, Dear Jesus!
Will it be like some great collective heart attack?

I can see that.

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What is happening to the people? What is going on here, God, that we are hurting so badly?

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Why did you hurt me?
You, who stole from me, lied to me, denied me, raked me over the coals?
Condescended and abused, leaving me bruised?
You who blamed and presumed,
copped an attitude;
tuned me out,
and
reduced me to begging...?

WHY?



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hurt

Me.

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The Root of All Evil

These are just my opinions about being female and living in a "man's" world...

It seems to me American society has somehow forgotten, displaced or erased the immanence of the female species by recruiting us into the worlds of trade, purchasing and functioning as commodities. Somehow we, ourselves, have been misguided... Into thinking our abilities to reproduce and nurture are not useful or important (unless it comes in the form of motherhood). Many of have chosen not to have babies, or are deprived of being able to settle-in with children we could care for because children also need persons such as fathers; and without fathers, it is is very difficult to provide.

So it seems we live in a country where a lot of good things are happening, but we are unable to let good things into our lives. The trends in our country have not done much outside of condoning self-indulgence, self-service, self-absorption and isolation. Refugees come here and join us in a place where a primary pastime is to lick our own wounds, and not take any real action to get healed. Yet, at least, many refugees are connected with community in such a way we Americans might have something to learn.

The problem, the root of all evil is that licking your wounds, and being pressured to do so only results in depression.

The challenge might be to learn more how to relax and be ourselves without hurting others in return?

Instead, we live out each day, year after year with the reality that mistrust, bad people and bad strangers are what threaten our well-being and abilities to function successfully in the world.

Do we, as women, really like the American way of life? I think the answer is no. And that, on a very basic level we are just working very hard to survive. Instead, I would invite you to start thinking about the quality of your life, the people you work for and with, and reevaluate your role in those areas where you are putting your power and energy. If, on a very fundamental basis you don't believe in what you are doing for others, it's time to stop.

Black Madonna, by Larry Contrappo, 1999

The New Era of President Obama is one that invites people to start becoming more than just active participants in their lives, but to learn how to become more responsible to one another (as opposed to "for" one another). We are a very educated country where all people have access to information, tools, and resources that can help and empower them. There are no more excuses for ignorance. From this stand, all people are responsible for their own happiness, and have choices, options, and possibilities in creating that happiness for themselves and others.

Women have an innate understanding of what this means, because we are natural helpers and healers; we are taught from childhood to be big sisters, to care for attend to those in need, to do the mom-thing. Why do we hate it so much?

How many of you contend with jealousy, hostility and bullying from other women? Are we becoming more war-minded? Is being in the world all about injustice? Not being "able" to ask for help when we need it - and get it? Are we not neglected and taken advantage of often?

How is it we are able to hold so much bad stuff inside, allowing and accepting our lives to be reduced to something pornographic? while the media around us exploits the image of the female (and her children) to the extent that we are treated as if we are dogs? or bags of dirt? or something worse?

I would urge you to start asking for help from good people. Start talking to others about the bad things you have been holding inside, the bad things that have been hurting you deep down for years and years. Surely there is someone out there, a professional perhaps, who can help you to start changing some things up.

All your life, you have had people telling you you can do anything. All your life, you have been surrounded by others who can only focus on the bad, and who pressure you to do the same. But today is a new day, loaded with all sorts of opportunities that could help you help yourself redirect the power of your life. We are so very lucky to be here, in America, for this reason!

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