“Community is a form of consciousness. The essential idea is that we must share our lives in some ways with other people in order to survive and flourish.”
— Wendell Berry
Dear Friends,
Thank you all for joining us at Wisdom & AI and the the Future of Well-Being last week.
As the US election arrives tomorrow, I have two hopes or intentions:
The US votes in candidates that believe in the foundation of democracy and decency.
AND we find ways to come together, and see that our commonalities are so much stronger than our differences.
For the latter, how do we move from a sense Me and You, to a greater sense of WE?
A Story
Ram Dass tells the story of talking to his dad about a recording and a beautifully calligraphed book he made and was selling for $4.50. His father was a very successful attorney and could not understand why they were selling it for so cheap. When his father questioned this pricing strategy, suggesting it could sell for $10, Ram Dass explained his perspective by drawing a parallel to his father's legal work.
“I know you did some work for Uncle Henry some time back,” he queried his father.
“Yes,” he replied, “I worked really hard on that case.”
“I know you did,” Ram Dass said, “I bet you made a killing off of him.”
“Of course not!” the father shot back. “It was Uncle Henry. He is family. I would never overcharge him.”
“Well, that is my problem,” Ram Dass responded, “To me, everyone is Uncle Henry.”
ME to WE
Lets vote, lets speak our minds, lets do what we can for our causes … and may we all remember, we are all part of the same stardust, with much of the same pain, the same needs and often the same ambitions.
Everyone loves someone or something. Everyone is Uncle Henry.
I generally vote Democrat, but I also grew up in one of the most conservative towns in the country, Lubbock, Texas — in the heart of West Texas. People there love their children just as much as they do in Blue states. We are actually all so much alike.
My hope is that we move forward, as a nation, and as a world, understanding our differences, but not letting them define or separate us.
Blessings.
SOREN
SOCIAL CHANGE SERIES
Related to this, IFS Founder Dick Schwartz and I are doing a series on PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE, how we can work on ourself as we work in the world.
Learn more HERE »»»
MEDITATION SERIES
If you are interested in starting or supporting a meditation practice, Cecily Mak and I are hosting STILLNESS WITHIN: CULTIVATING PRESENCE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES with an array of amazing teachers.
Learn more HERE »»»
Speaking of pricing, they are both BY DONATION! :-)
New Year Reset
Join us this December in Baja December 9th - 12th for a week titled: A New Year Reset: Shedding Unwanted Habits with Self-Grace and Presence
Absolutely love hearing Ram Dass retell the story of Uncle Henry!! 🥰
Thank you for your very generous writing.💖🙏🏼
For all the insight and warmth you’ve shared here , I seem to be focused on your being from Lubbock ! I’m from Tucumcari, NM .
Upon further reflection, I’m realizing we’re having an Uncle Henry moment!