One critical growth spurt along the evolutionary journey seems to involve not assigning blame outside ourselves for how we are feeling inside ourselves. This is not an easy thing to learn as all the hurts and slights and resentments and traumas of the ages argue for the separate self and its agendas.
Love this topic and the spin you give it with the example of the connectedness (no blame, no shame!) of trees.
I also resonate with the idea that blaming the "other" is actually a deference of dealing with the issue within ourself.
I noticed my blamer meter had shifted when I was in Washington DC for the People vs Fossil fuel protest recently. I was able to be fully supportive of the agenda, but steered away from blaming language, such as yelling at the police when they threatened us, or engaging with citizens who were irritated that we were blocking their view of the white house. I was, to my surprise, even able to step in between a triggered spectator and a triggered activist, both men, who got riled up at each other. I felt love for both parties, and stood with ease in this potentially violent situation. no blame, no shame! This is likely to do with the atmosphere of connectedness that the drumming and chanting and common purpose evoked.
But, there was a situation that came up with a Washington insider, a white man in his 50s, who struck up a "conversation " with my friend and I about a statue that had been graffiti'ed with the words ExpectUs. As he put forth his opinion as truth, I responded with mine. He was not listening (and neither was I), so I walked away while my friend used her more refined communication skills to politely finish with him.
I could hear myself blaming in my head, exactly what you describe in your blog, the story of this man, how privileged and ignorant he was. 😳 Later, I contemplated this and connected to the part of me that becomes the lecturer when I feel I am right and am protecting something I love. And how privileged and ignorant I am. I have learned to forgive myself, to apply love and to offer this energetically to the "other." oh, and to thank them too because they have mirrored for me this issue. And to thank myself for being willing to do this work.
Thanks for the reminder that the governments are likely not to live up to their goals, and that we can continue to move forward with our comrades, learning and growing, and doing our part.
One of the many valuable things Pachamama Alliance Game Changer Intensive and Trainings on Climate activism has taught us is that we do what calls us, together in community and love, and we let go of the outcome. I love that! no blame, no shame.
Staying in "no blame, no shame" as you put it, in the midst of activist protest, is advanced evolutionary practice. It is one thing to talk about not blaming, it is another thing altogether to feel adrenaline pumping in the body and still not move to blame. Thank you so much for sharing these experiences with us – they are instructive.
Also love what you mention having learned in the Pachamama trainings: Letting go of the outcome, we do what calls us, together in community and love – yes.
Thanks for the vital work you are doing with People vs Fossil Fuels.
Love this topic and the spin you give it with the example of the connectedness (no blame, no shame!) of trees.
I also resonate with the idea that blaming the "other" is actually a deference of dealing with the issue within ourself.
I noticed my blamer meter had shifted when I was in Washington DC for the People vs Fossil fuel protest recently. I was able to be fully supportive of the agenda, but steered away from blaming language, such as yelling at the police when they threatened us, or engaging with citizens who were irritated that we were blocking their view of the white house. I was, to my surprise, even able to step in between a triggered spectator and a triggered activist, both men, who got riled up at each other. I felt love for both parties, and stood with ease in this potentially violent situation. no blame, no shame! This is likely to do with the atmosphere of connectedness that the drumming and chanting and common purpose evoked.
But, there was a situation that came up with a Washington insider, a white man in his 50s, who struck up a "conversation " with my friend and I about a statue that had been graffiti'ed with the words ExpectUs. As he put forth his opinion as truth, I responded with mine. He was not listening (and neither was I), so I walked away while my friend used her more refined communication skills to politely finish with him.
I could hear myself blaming in my head, exactly what you describe in your blog, the story of this man, how privileged and ignorant he was. 😳 Later, I contemplated this and connected to the part of me that becomes the lecturer when I feel I am right and am protecting something I love. And how privileged and ignorant I am. I have learned to forgive myself, to apply love and to offer this energetically to the "other." oh, and to thank them too because they have mirrored for me this issue. And to thank myself for being willing to do this work.
Thanks for the reminder that the governments are likely not to live up to their goals, and that we can continue to move forward with our comrades, learning and growing, and doing our part.
One of the many valuable things Pachamama Alliance Game Changer Intensive and Trainings on Climate activism has taught us is that we do what calls us, together in community and love, and we let go of the outcome. I love that! no blame, no shame.
Staying in "no blame, no shame" as you put it, in the midst of activist protest, is advanced evolutionary practice. It is one thing to talk about not blaming, it is another thing altogether to feel adrenaline pumping in the body and still not move to blame. Thank you so much for sharing these experiences with us – they are instructive.
Also love what you mention having learned in the Pachamama trainings: Letting go of the outcome, we do what calls us, together in community and love – yes.
Thanks for the vital work you are doing with People vs Fossil Fuels.