Dino, you've hit the nail on the head again in your article.
It seems that life is full of empires made to "control" us. The more we are aware of them, the more we can shine a light on them, so that we safely negotiate our way to "higher" ground. If only bureaucraci
Excellent, and very detailed. As always. I like how you point out not preaching from a mountaintop, or as I call it, a pedestal. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to not allow that empire inside us. And once out, keeping it out. Let that light shine, from the inside out!
To practice resistance without becoming what I resist…this is fine spiritual practice, my friend. And I’ve found it’s not enough to be aware of it, I need to refresh that awareness every time I step into the sewerage. I was raised in an Irish-Catholic family by a man who was bigoted by grievance. He felt the wound deeply but blamed the wrong perpetrator, the ‘other’, of course. It took decades for me, his eldest son, to ask myself the simplest of questions; ‘why do you believe (fill in the blank)?’. You put your finger on it precisely, empire
Thanks again Dino for your amazing spirit. You remind me to keep on going. Today, I was so sad reading that ICE is going to pick up 10 year old children, throwing them and others in U-Haul’s, breaking into apartments. Getting children to sign for what choice they want-children….
Thank you Dino, for broadening each of our perspectives through your words that you declare as the manifesto of Light Against Empire, but as I read through this completely again for like the third time (and some parts even more) to allow the profound impact to soak into not just my own thoughts, but in some ways, my very being - that nmow seems to be on the brink of survival in a new unfamiliar era in our nation. Every line of this is so very important & for me, it breathes hope and so much encouragement in the days of dismal news. It seems to go from worse to even more worse, when I thought that 'the Empire' (regime takeover) could not possibly get worse & yet they do in such despicable evil ways of further cruelty & such dark hatred against others undeserving! I read again today because I just need to see & feel more LIGHT & need to be reminded of the many truths you bring to light - in this fight for survival of not just our democracy but so many lives that are, have & will be shakened & needlessly turned upside down & destroyed. I look to you & your words frequently now to anchor me & encourage me to press on & act now to do my part in a positive, humane way with true care & compassion & you inspire this so often as true compass (notice that's part of "compassion") - a guiding light for me & more as they come to read your words of strength in faith and reason. So thank you just seems inadequate for the real value in your well thought out writings of Truth & Light - a real gift, Dino Alonso!
Dino, you've hit the nail on the head again in your article.
It seems that life is full of empires made to "control" us. The more we are aware of them, the more we can shine a light on them, so that we safely negotiate our way to "higher" ground. If only bureaucraci
es wouldn't be so rigid!
Excellent, and very detailed. As always. I like how you point out not preaching from a mountaintop, or as I call it, a pedestal. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to not allow that empire inside us. And once out, keeping it out. Let that light shine, from the inside out!
To practice resistance without becoming what I resist…this is fine spiritual practice, my friend. And I’ve found it’s not enough to be aware of it, I need to refresh that awareness every time I step into the sewerage. I was raised in an Irish-Catholic family by a man who was bigoted by grievance. He felt the wound deeply but blamed the wrong perpetrator, the ‘other’, of course. It took decades for me, his eldest son, to ask myself the simplest of questions; ‘why do you believe (fill in the blank)?’. You put your finger on it precisely, empire
Point taken, I was mostly referring to the ‘taught/learned’ aspect, the system I’m immersed in teaches me to not question the system itself
Ah! You’ll not find answers in questions but in compliance.
There is another expression for that mindset: “Medieval.”
I would never presume that empire is the pivotal rational; however, I agree it is part of it.
Thanks again Dino for your amazing spirit. You remind me to keep on going. Today, I was so sad reading that ICE is going to pick up 10 year old children, throwing them and others in U-Haul’s, breaking into apartments. Getting children to sign for what choice they want-children….
Thank you Dino, for broadening each of our perspectives through your words that you declare as the manifesto of Light Against Empire, but as I read through this completely again for like the third time (and some parts even more) to allow the profound impact to soak into not just my own thoughts, but in some ways, my very being - that nmow seems to be on the brink of survival in a new unfamiliar era in our nation. Every line of this is so very important & for me, it breathes hope and so much encouragement in the days of dismal news. It seems to go from worse to even more worse, when I thought that 'the Empire' (regime takeover) could not possibly get worse & yet they do in such despicable evil ways of further cruelty & such dark hatred against others undeserving! I read again today because I just need to see & feel more LIGHT & need to be reminded of the many truths you bring to light - in this fight for survival of not just our democracy but so many lives that are, have & will be shakened & needlessly turned upside down & destroyed. I look to you & your words frequently now to anchor me & encourage me to press on & act now to do my part in a positive, humane way with true care & compassion & you inspire this so often as true compass (notice that's part of "compassion") - a guiding light for me & more as they come to read your words of strength in faith and reason. So thank you just seems inadequate for the real value in your well thought out writings of Truth & Light - a real gift, Dino Alonso!
Couldn't have said it any better!
Love this of course. Any chance you could record this for us? I want to hear it while I work, garden, walk, drive, meditate.