I watched Chris Hedges' interview with Dr. Gabor Maté, too. The other take-away is that we cannot take it upon ourselves individually to save the world, but it is important to feel sorrow, outrage, anger, disgust, whatever emotions tragedies such as Gaza stir up in us rather than blocking or shut off our emotions and, notwithstanding our pain and suffering, to take care of ourselves, as you've pointed out, Diana, in all your posts. It's a difficult balance to maintain. The other interesting thing Dr. Maté said was that people who commit evil deeds have closed their hearts and are victims themselves of unresolved trauma.
It brings to mind what he said about those who inflict torture and other heinous activities: that the inflictors had more future inner trauma to deal with than those who had those things inflicted upon them. A warning to those in the IDF and others who commit atrocities.
Provided you have a properly functioning brain and morals to match - Once you've discovered what's really going on out there it can no longer be unseen / undone - this is when your conscience demands a response which is perfectly natural.
However it rises another question relating to what might be the proper response to fight the evil that has taken over our supposedly democratic institutions since the system is designed so that it cannot be held accountable.
There's been a lot of controversie over the years regarding Sanders - He says nice things however you might be in for a surprise when you find out how the hard Left regards him.
The Gabor Mate interview was great. His book "The Myth of Normal" is an excellent resource for anyone with a history of trauma, abuse or neglect. I'm using the Mate interview in a post on trauma I'll be putting up in a few days. I think a really important healing response to the secondary trauma we are all experiencing with the US/Isr*el genocide is activism in ways large and small; doing some good in the midst of evil.
Listening to similar minded persons about sorrow and anger expressed through a no peace without justice lens has been a sanity check here and at the protests.
Thanks so much for this, Diana. Really needed it today. Will give it a listen. Love both men because they're not only brilliant, they're fiercely moral and ethical.
Thanks, Najwan. I think we have to do all we can to not support the forces of genocide in this coming year. Buy from indie businesses, bank at credit unions, don't vote for anyone who supports genocide. It's time for the resistance to get serious.
It's so hard, isn't it, Amy? Witnessing something that shouldn't be happening, with all its atrocities, and trying to keep our hearts open... Take good care.
--> "...spending a lot of time online may have physical effects, but that it’s keeping me sane." reminds me of that meme going around "my desire to be well informed is is increasingly getting in the way of my desire to remain sane".
--> As to Alon's observation "..Humanity is not committing genocide: it is Israel and its Western backers.", one might as well add "Humanity is not committing genocide: it is Israel and its Western backers, including those choosing to be silent, look away or practice learned blindness"
--> And finally this may be a pedantic and splitting hairs "And being in this place of powerlessness is excruciating for us." is I believe is better stated as "And being in this place of learned helplessness is excruciating for us."
I don't know that it is learned helplessness. I think it's taking action, but that action not having enough of an impact to stop the genocide.
Yes, that applies to some people but short of going over to Gaza, and probably getting killed, which wouldn't benefit anyone, there are a lot of things people are doing. And those things aren't having enough of an effect. Yet.
I think it's up to all of us to build community, to look after each other, and do what we can to make a difference.
The western world is in its death throes. We have to do all we can to make sure it doesn't destroy everything in the process, and to steer things in a better direction.
I watched Chris Hedges' interview with Dr. Gabor Maté, too. The other take-away is that we cannot take it upon ourselves individually to save the world, but it is important to feel sorrow, outrage, anger, disgust, whatever emotions tragedies such as Gaza stir up in us rather than blocking or shut off our emotions and, notwithstanding our pain and suffering, to take care of ourselves, as you've pointed out, Diana, in all your posts. It's a difficult balance to maintain. The other interesting thing Dr. Maté said was that people who commit evil deeds have closed their hearts and are victims themselves of unresolved trauma.
Thanks for those important additions, Diane.
I agree, it is a difficult balance to maintain.
It brings to mind what he said about those who inflict torture and other heinous activities: that the inflictors had more future inner trauma to deal with than those who had those things inflicted upon them. A warning to those in the IDF and others who commit atrocities.
Provided you have a properly functioning brain and morals to match - Once you've discovered what's really going on out there it can no longer be unseen / undone - this is when your conscience demands a response which is perfectly natural.
However it rises another question relating to what might be the proper response to fight the evil that has taken over our supposedly democratic institutions since the system is designed so that it cannot be held accountable.
Finn, did you see this short clip of Bernie Sanders? It's a little late to be saying these things, but at least he's saying them. I think if he had run for the Democrats and said these things he would have won the election. https://www.commondreams.org/news/bernie-sanders-oligarchy-2670453795?utm_source=Common+Dreams&utm_campaign=8b29b904ad-Top+News%3A+Fri.+13%2F12%2F24_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-3b949b3e19-600777009
There's been a lot of controversie over the years regarding Sanders - He says nice things however you might be in for a surprise when you find out how the hard Left regards him.
On a much happier note, Roger Waters is on the same page as yourself https://www.rt.com/news/609412-waters-going-underground-interview/
Yes, I'm aware of his inconsistencies, Finn. But I think he makes a very important point in that clip.
The Gabor Mate interview was great. His book "The Myth of Normal" is an excellent resource for anyone with a history of trauma, abuse or neglect. I'm using the Mate interview in a post on trauma I'll be putting up in a few days. I think a really important healing response to the secondary trauma we are all experiencing with the US/Isr*el genocide is activism in ways large and small; doing some good in the midst of evil.
I agree, Mark. Activism helps to keep us sane.
Listening to similar minded persons about sorrow and anger expressed through a no peace without justice lens has been a sanity check here and at the protests.
I need as many of those sanity checks as I can get Gladwyn. These are such crazy times.
Yes Gabor’s comments were exemplary and comforting. He summed it up so well.
He certainly did, Peter. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks so much for this, Diana. Really needed it today. Will give it a listen. Love both men because they're not only brilliant, they're fiercely moral and ethical.
I agree, Val, and I hope it brings you some comfort. It did me.
Beautiful art and beautiful soul. Shukran for being a friend through this incredibly excruciating year. I wished so much would be different by now…
Here’s to trying again tomorrow inshallah..
🇵🇸♥️🙏
Thanks, Najwan. I think we have to do all we can to not support the forces of genocide in this coming year. Buy from indie businesses, bank at credit unions, don't vote for anyone who supports genocide. It's time for the resistance to get serious.
Hi Diana, thanks for this, I really feel it. Witnessing alongside you and trying to keep my heart open…
It's so hard, isn't it, Amy? Witnessing something that shouldn't be happening, with all its atrocities, and trying to keep our hearts open... Take good care.
Thank you for being here with us and for us, Diana. ❤️🕊️,Dx
Truly, it's my pleasure.
Also lamented just well:
https://www.tiktok.com/@tesssaidthat/video/7449093685381188910?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7450216889706284576
--> "...spending a lot of time online may have physical effects, but that it’s keeping me sane." reminds me of that meme going around "my desire to be well informed is is increasingly getting in the way of my desire to remain sane".
--> As to Alon's observation "..Humanity is not committing genocide: it is Israel and its Western backers.", one might as well add "Humanity is not committing genocide: it is Israel and its Western backers, including those choosing to be silent, look away or practice learned blindness"
--> And finally this may be a pedantic and splitting hairs "And being in this place of powerlessness is excruciating for us." is I believe is better stated as "And being in this place of learned helplessness is excruciating for us."
I don't know that it is learned helplessness. I think it's taking action, but that action not having enough of an impact to stop the genocide.
Yes, that applies to some people but short of going over to Gaza, and probably getting killed, which wouldn't benefit anyone, there are a lot of things people are doing. And those things aren't having enough of an effect. Yet.
I think it's up to all of us to build community, to look after each other, and do what we can to make a difference.
The western world is in its death throes. We have to do all we can to make sure it doesn't destroy everything in the process, and to steer things in a better direction.