This reminded me of a time a butterfly set up its cocoon on my deck. Maya and I watched it's birth. I imagined the butterfly would just pop out and fly away. But, it was a long, grueling process of breaking free, drying off the wings, and building up the power to fly. Such a great reminder of the persistence needed for this moment!
Dear Liza. As usual, your kind voice and hopeful words brought calm to my heart and tears to my eyes. ❤️
And yet my mind spins out questions. How can we know what sort of creature will emerge from the particular metamorphosis that we’re engaged in? Are we to trust a pre-determined thing of beauty, as in nature? Or might we find that our imaginal cells are overpowered by those of John Bolton, Elon Musk and JD Vance? I fear that the winged creature that is being formed in our current transitional stew may have an appetite even more voracious than the caterpillar that entered the chrysalis. Let us pray, and work, to for a more beautiful outcome. 🦋
Dear Susan! Thank you for your rich wrestling! I wrestle with it too. In fact, my book is more than 250 pages of me working with this, over many years. I believe that the shape of what emerges depends on us. Will we, as a human species, continue on the trajectory of destruction, or will we (or a critical mass of us--as with the imaginal cells) align with the pattern of wholeness that inheres all of Nature, all of Life.
Many of the original cultures tell of successive worlds. Of times in the past when humans have come to a similar brink and did not, as a species, move toward wholeness. Cataclysmic destruction followed -- by flood, by fire, by ice age. (Think: game over; re-set.) In each world there have been those who never lost their way, and who became the seed of human beings in the next world. (Not to be human-centric, but we are the youngest and most immature species on Earth, and tend to be the ones who forget that we are part of the interdependent sacred web of Life.) The consistency of the stories across cultures is impressive. Many of those peoples have prophesies that foretold the times we now inhabit. I find that both a reassurance and a caution. The outcome, at this point, is uncertain.
So what does that mean for each of us now? What is the gift that each of us is called to make to these times. How can we engage these times from the place of wholeness and love, rather than division and fear? Not that we sit idly by while empire rages, but not to be consumed by the very energies we reject in order to resist them. This can be hard AF. It helps me to remember that none of us is doing this alone. The project of liberative evolution began long before us and will continue beyond our lifetime, but I believe it is crucial--especially in this pivotal season--that we respond with the best that is within us. That we support one another in holding the vision. That we practice replenishment. That we attune with the larger pattern of Wholeness that--i believe--is the nature of Life. <3
Oh, Liza, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this beautiful and life-giving perspective on these difficult times. You have given me new hope and new language — “imaginal cells”! What a blessing you are to all of us, Wise One!
This reminded me of a time a butterfly set up its cocoon on my deck. Maya and I watched it's birth. I imagined the butterfly would just pop out and fly away. But, it was a long, grueling process of breaking free, drying off the wings, and building up the power to fly. Such a great reminder of the persistence needed for this moment!
Thank you, Gino, yes! I was amazed when i witnessed the difficult process of emergence, and it remains a powerful reminder for me to this day.
Breathtaking, and so resonant. Thank you for your words, Liza - they're a lighthouse in these times, guiding us toward truth and liberation.
Thank you so much for your response, Sonya. I'm grateful if the writing can do exactly that...
Dear Liza. As usual, your kind voice and hopeful words brought calm to my heart and tears to my eyes. ❤️
And yet my mind spins out questions. How can we know what sort of creature will emerge from the particular metamorphosis that we’re engaged in? Are we to trust a pre-determined thing of beauty, as in nature? Or might we find that our imaginal cells are overpowered by those of John Bolton, Elon Musk and JD Vance? I fear that the winged creature that is being formed in our current transitional stew may have an appetite even more voracious than the caterpillar that entered the chrysalis. Let us pray, and work, to for a more beautiful outcome. 🦋
Dear Susan! Thank you for your rich wrestling! I wrestle with it too. In fact, my book is more than 250 pages of me working with this, over many years. I believe that the shape of what emerges depends on us. Will we, as a human species, continue on the trajectory of destruction, or will we (or a critical mass of us--as with the imaginal cells) align with the pattern of wholeness that inheres all of Nature, all of Life.
Many of the original cultures tell of successive worlds. Of times in the past when humans have come to a similar brink and did not, as a species, move toward wholeness. Cataclysmic destruction followed -- by flood, by fire, by ice age. (Think: game over; re-set.) In each world there have been those who never lost their way, and who became the seed of human beings in the next world. (Not to be human-centric, but we are the youngest and most immature species on Earth, and tend to be the ones who forget that we are part of the interdependent sacred web of Life.) The consistency of the stories across cultures is impressive. Many of those peoples have prophesies that foretold the times we now inhabit. I find that both a reassurance and a caution. The outcome, at this point, is uncertain.
So what does that mean for each of us now? What is the gift that each of us is called to make to these times. How can we engage these times from the place of wholeness and love, rather than division and fear? Not that we sit idly by while empire rages, but not to be consumed by the very energies we reject in order to resist them. This can be hard AF. It helps me to remember that none of us is doing this alone. The project of liberative evolution began long before us and will continue beyond our lifetime, but I believe it is crucial--especially in this pivotal season--that we respond with the best that is within us. That we support one another in holding the vision. That we practice replenishment. That we attune with the larger pattern of Wholeness that--i believe--is the nature of Life. <3
Thank you Liza! You did indeed write another essay! <3
Thank you for your wise words and insights at a time like this... and always.
Thank you so much, Ellery. I'm glad the writing speaks to you... yes, at such a time as this!
Oh, Liza, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this beautiful and life-giving perspective on these difficult times. You have given me new hope and new language — “imaginal cells”! What a blessing you are to all of us, Wise One!
Thank you, dear Marjorie. I'm so grateful the piece ministered to your heart in these times of such great pain and upheaval. /|\
I love this! What a beautiful way to help us interpret these times.
Thank you, Kamal. I hope it will offer courage as we face the many crises before us. Nature is such a wise teacher /|\
I cannot thank you enough for this. Liza, you are a gift to humanity. I’m glad I knew you when..
Thank you, Terri. I am humbled by your comment, and grateful you found your way here.
Brilliant. You shine such a light. Thank you.
Thank you, dear Renee. I'm so glad the piece spoke to your heart. <3
Deeply. Profoundly. Intentionally.
Namaste.🙏🏽