August 2023 Editor’s Note
By Wade Lee Hudson
I know it’s not all about me. Nevertheless, “Let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late (Bob Dylan).” At times, I’m sad, mad, lonely, and determined.
The state of the world is profoundly disturbing and downright scary.
I’m disappointed more people aren’t interested in addressing root causes by dissolving the dominate-and-submit paradigm and unlearning divisive social conditioning.
I feel isolated because as I step back from casual conversations, I’ve found little interest in soulful dialogue, speaking, and listening from the heart.
A number of associates have withdrawn energy from the Compassionate Humanity Community project; the hard core of collaborators has shrunk.
Though some 50 individuals subscribe to either this newsletter or FromWade (which I appreciate), I rarely receive feedback and haven’t found a site to publish my essays (as I have in the past).
I understand most people are busy or focused on important matters, so I minimize my expectations. But I still experience frustration.
After facing these realities, with support from peers and the life force, the melancholy lifts and I feel liberated. I concentrate on making the website as good as possible before I die. (Suggestions for additions and offers for help are welcome.) It may take a decade to put the site together as I envision, but someday, maybe many more people will find it useful.
My focus is on quality, not quantity. I work as if this work will someday strike a nerve broadly. I think I’m basically right. I may be tilting at windmills; if so, I hope the world will be better for it. I may be pushing the rock up and down the hill like Sisyphus; if so, I’ll try to do it with a smile on my face, chuckling at the Absurd.
I cherish occasional nuggets of connection, such as two responses to the question I posed to the FromWade list: “In what way (if any) do you work on unlearning oppressive domination/submission social conditioning?”
Eva Paterson replied:
Thank you very much for asking that question. It was very helpful and clarifying to my psyche. I was just communicating with another friend and was having some thoughts that were less than enlightened, and was able to use my process of staying in the moment, acknowledging the negative thoughts, and praying for enlightenment… Whenever I find myself thinking or doing something that is uncool, I try to just stop and acknowledge that I’m doing that. It may sound strange, but I actually pray to be relieved from being competitive or racist or acting in any way that contributes negative energy to individuals or to the collective. Take good care.
And Steve Gerritson said:
Reactions to stories in the media can be influenced by social conditioning. For example, a report of a police officer shooting a person of color may trigger a response that "s/he deserved it," or something similar. I confess to having that reaction on occasion and recognize it as a product of my upbringing. To counter it, I spend time researching the event, making sure to get all sides of the story. Most of the time, my initial reaction is proved wrong, and this helps me to overcome my prejudices when the next incident occurs. Unfortunately, there always seems to be a "next incident."
These comments heartened me.
At a recent social gathering, I asked a friend who’s been very involved with the 12-step movement:
What do you think about the possibility of convening self-governing support groups with a simple format that could be easily replicated, perhaps with a focus on providing mutual support for self-development, including social conditioning that teaches us to climb social ladders and look down on and dominate and oppress people below and submit to those above?
Her response, which was very positive, focused on unlearning social conditioning. Her comments have prompted me to concentrate more on this specific issue, rather than personal growth in general.
More recently, on August 3, I participated with about 40 people from throughout the world (I may have been the only American) in an encouraging “Meet & Reflect: Regenerating in the Midst of Urgent Work?” facilitated by a French woman and hosted by the Leading Change Network. The one other participant in my breakout group seemed to resonate with my “elevator pitch” and said she wants to explore the site (we shall see). And the session concluded with the facilitator inviting everyone to meet again in what might be an ongoing support group (she acknowledged me as the source of this idea, which I appreciated). Many participants expressed interest (we shall see).
This morning, when I woke, I drafted this amendment to “Growing a Transformative Movement: Uniting for a Better Future”:
The following scenario is a thought experiment. We’ll never achieve it completely. It’s not a blueprint, but if we move in this direction as much as we can, we’ll be better for it.
When I preach, I’m my own worst enemy (Dylan). But how can I preach about not preaching? (lol)
I know paradigm shifts are difficult, and my comrades and I are calling for a shift away from the dominate-and-submit paradigm to co-equal partnerships. This shift could boost prospects for the urgently needed powerful, independent, global grassroots movement. But I find little interest in this effort.
I know I may be wrong concerning my core convictions, so I try to be open to disagreement and open discussion. I’ve posted some of these Problem-Solving Dialogues on the site and will soon extract, compile, and post more. I welcome your comments.
In the meantime, I’ll be more assertive. I’ll extend some individual invitations to engage in “soulful dialogues” in addition to my previous general invitations. And I’ll polish “Growing a Transformative Movement: Uniting for a Better Future” and try to get it published. If you will, please share this essay and let me know what you think.