Ethos through Individuation

As the world teeters at the precipice of totalitarianism, we must strongly imagine a vitalic and more equanimous possible future. We must believe that there are alternative ways in which we can embrace and allow our differences, without resorting to violence or political division. To seek balance amongst ourselves, and to hold the potential for peace strongly in our hearts.

"Resistance to the organized mass can be effected only by the man who is as well organized in his individuality as the mass itself." -- Carl Jung

Carl Jung was adamant that the ultimate goal of one's life be self-actualization; to integrate the disparate parts, so as to become a wholesome, cohesive being that can live deliberately.

This process is (perhaps) the only way by which humanity will eventually be at peace--for each to be their own. As each of us discovers our own unique perspective and contributes cooperatively and voluntarily to the collective, we might find a sort of peace. One where each human has irrevocable access to love, clean air, fresh water, nutrient dense food, sturdy shelter and a chance at contentment and self-determination.

This is obviously much easier said than done, as piecing together the parts of us that may seem contradictory, can be a lifelong balancing act. 

In my life, I have often waned between redneck tomboy and intellectual warrior princess. On the same day, I can be found moving 100lb logs and maintaining a woodlot, and then later that night, I am wearing a dress and reciting feminist poetry at a social event. I've dabbled in nearly every sort of dietary pattern, all the way from strict carnivore to devout vegan. While believing in radical self-determination of all lifeforms, I still choose to eat meat. In some moments, when I am plucking produce from my garden, I am overwhelmed with grief and joy as I ingest a living thing that might not communicate in as direct ways other lifeforms, but when I pluck its fruit I am reminded of how precious life is.

I have attempted to integrate these seemingly incongruous parts of my life by accepting that what I do or wear does not define me, they are expressions of my values. What I choose to wear and do are not me, but aspects of core values. As an avid believer in regenerative agricultural practices, egalitarianism, equanimity, and bodily autonomy; working a manual labor job (bodily autonomy) and reading empowering poetry while wearing a dress (equanimity & egalitarianism) are not in conflict, rather, those are simply expressions of the values I attempt to embody.

In no particular order or importance, these are some of the values I try to live by.

        Firstly:  Intentional Integrity

• "Leave this world a little better than you found it". - Robert Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts
• "Always do your best." -- Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements
• “Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching- even when doing the wrong thing is legal.”-- Aldo Leopold 
• “Never half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing.” --Ron Swanson, Parks & Rec

I try to lead with love and integrity when interacting with people, places and things, as my actions can have unimaginable downstream consequences, both "good" and "bad". This isn't necessarily a discussion about karma (that's a post for another day), but more so about implementing deep knowing in your decision making process, rather than using pure emotion or logic -- find that space between the two.

      Next: Compassionate Strength

• "Speak softly and carry a big stick." -- Teddy Roosevelt
• "Have a soft heart, but thick skin." -- colloquialism 
• “Love and trust, in the space between what’s said and what’s heard in our life, can make all the difference in this world."  -- Fred Rodgers
• "It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war." -- Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings 
•   "Show respect to all people and grovel to none." -- Shawnee Chief Tecumseh

Develop and discover boundaries, and gently teach others how to respect yours and implement their own. Lead your life with your heart wide open, but be prepared to defend it when necessary. When two strong and open hearts meet, it can change the world.

        Finally (for now):  Vitalic Reverence 

• “At the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit. And that center is really everywhere. It is within each of us.” -- Black Elk
•  "Nature is the symbol of the spirit." -- Ralf Waldo Emerson, Nature.
• “The connections we make in the course of a life—maybe that's what heaven is.” -- Fred Rodgers
• “Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.”-- Henry David Thoreau 

  
  

  All occupants of Mothership Earth are holy, not just the ones we deem to be valuable in USD. The spirit of the world is in the mitochondria of all things, and those that don't metabolize, well even within the rocks and the water and dark matter, there is an infinite and innate life force, though we may not understand it yet through science alone.