Posted by @lawrence:
We all knew about the priests and the nuns in school. The pretense was stunning. As a sensitive child, it was overwhelming at the time.
Posted by @vestralux:
It took me decades, but I found it again—or remade it from new substance. And I'm grateful for any sort of peace, wherever I can find it.
@lawrence and @vestralux : Yes. And yes. Thank you. ?
Thanks for all the support. It is deeply and gratefully received.
I'm so sorry to hear about what you experienced. It joins us together in a united chorus of truth.
I also know all of this cruelty including the current GOP's is ending and it gives me strength.
A favorite quote which I saw today on the new season of Queer Eye on Netflix:
"New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings"
@deetoo, I only have one of Henri Nouwen's books, The Way of the Heart. But it is a good place to start.
I knew him not from his books but his person. I had the good fortune to know him through a year long course I took with him at Harvard Divinity School. I dropped in the first day of classes to see if I wanted to take it. The lecture hall was packed with students, standing room only. I didn't know him, but was drawn to him as soon as he spoke. He was filled with spirit when he spoke, like no professor I'd ever known. You wanted to drink up every word. As an empath, I could feel his depth and wanted to be around him.
It was the mid 1980's during a time of political unrest in San Salvador, and he had been involved with Catholic clergy who had gone there and risked their lives to help the oppressed. Some had been killed by right wing interests funded by the U.S.
Nouwen wanted us to understand first hand the situation of oppression and poverty because caring for others so filled his being. He asked the class to pass a hat and collect enough money to send a few of us to Haiti. Even though I wasn't in seminary and wasn't even a student at Harvard Divinity School -- I was cross registered from the School of Public health -- I was one of a few picked to go. I spent two weeks there living in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the Western hemisphere. We were caring for people with disabilities that society had discarded.
It changed me forever. I wanted to stay there, but I came back.
Nouwen lectured twice a week and once a week we broke into small groups of six at someone's house. He came to our meeting one week, and while he was there the NY Times interrupted in order to interview him about some international incident. So we watched the interview. The reporter asked him if he believed the pope was infallible, and he replied, "Yes, of course." Afterwards, we asked him about it and he said, "Well what do you think I was going to say, no? I'm a priest! I have to say that!"
He believed in all faiths, as I do. He believed in kindness and love and helping the most oppressed. He told us that he felt the Tibetan monks were holding the world together by praying at the top of the world. He converted his on-campus residence into a meditation room where students could come and meditate.
A few years later, he quit the university life and joined L 'Arche a Catholic organization that cared for people with disabilities. He never cared for money or fame. He just wanted to help people.
I wish I could see him now, but he passed. I am grateful for that experience.
At the same time I was there, an American physician from Harvard was also there -- Paul Farmer. There's a great book about his work in Haiti called Mountains Beyond Mountains that fit what I was experiencing there.
@ Lawrence. The deeds of the church are well documented by now, but to hear from somebody who has actually gone through it is chilling. I am so sorry for your experiences. To get horror instead of love from an institution that should have been righteous is beyond imagination.
Like Jeanne said, I always enjoy your posts and hope you've gotten through everything a stronger man. Wishing you peace and good vibrations.
For those interested in a system that could change the addiction to money, money, money... there is a Dutch historian who has been making waves since talking at an assembly in Switzerland two years ago. He basically put the world's richest people in their place.
He's had guest spots at Trevor Noah's and Tucker Carlson (whom he also put in his place and was then kicked off the show). He latest book is called: Utopia for Realists. Check it out! It's pretty good.
I think I can't post links but if you want to watch the blurb at Trevor Noah's show; this is the description for the video on YouTube:
Rutger Bregman - “Utopia for Realists” and Big Ideas for an Equitable Economy | The Daily Show
@vestralux Barr looked kind of rattled during a TV interview a couple of days ago. I usually don't like to watch him on TV because his voice and demeanor feel really yucky, like thick oil, but I couldn't press the mute button quickly enough. I had two thoughts, 1. He looks nervous, and 2. Good.
@lawrence Deeply sorry to hear about this Lawrence. Thank you for your courage in sharing. Clearly the monsters didn't extinguish your bright light. Much love to you. xoxo
Wow - this discussion is absolutely amazing! I'm soooo humbled by readings everyone's post - the depth and knowledge is so enlightening I feel my vibraion rise everytime I go on this site! I'm so grateful for this site for for everyone on here!
@VestraLux - Your analysis and in-depth discussions on so many topics are astounding. I often re-read your posts several times because there is so much information in them to digest and I don't want to miss any word you have written! Thank you so much for sharing your broad knowledge and experiences with us. I'm so sorry to hear about your abuse by the clergy - but obviously you overcame it and now are like a beautiful butterfly, sharing your vast knowldege with the world. And you are certainly a force to be reckoned with! (in a positive way of course!!)
@Jeanne Mayell - we are about the same age, but your experiences in and with the world is so rich and rewarding, especially during your college years. (I 'wasted my youth' but am trying to make up for it now!) You obviously are an old soul, that incarnated at this particular time in order to heal and lead the world to a much higher vibration and place. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and psychic skills with us and for making a place for like-mined individuals from all walks of life come together and share knowledge. And, thank you especially, for helping us expand and learn how to use our psychic gifts. This site is indeed a very sacred place.
@Lawrence - Your story about being abused by priests made me sad and angry. I'm so sorry for your experience, but in reading your posts, I feel you are a quiet but determined force, no one, especially your abusers, would ever want to tangle with now! I too have a history with the Catholic church - although I ws never physically abused- I believe we all have been emotionally abused by the power and authority they have held on the planet for centuries. And, just like Turd's time of power is fading, so is the Catholic church's power. Whenever I see you have posted something - I 'run' to read it! Thank you for sharing your psychic insights with us.
I am so sorry to hear of the pain @lawrence and @vestralux (and so many others) have had to endure. I am horrified by the extent of abuse by people/institutions that are supposed to protect and nurture. I am glad that you both have found the strength to find yourselves again and reconnect with spirit. You are both such wonderful, strong lights here.
As I have gotten older, I have come to the belief that many of you share that there are many paths to the same spirit and you keep what works for you and drop the rest. Some were forced to drop what was trusted through terrible experiences, others through slow realization of different paths and embracing that it is OK to not do what others expect you to (still working through that one...)
@seeker4 - I love your description of combining things that bring meaning to you (saying the Our Father while meditating on your chakras) to get into the state of meditation you desire.
@jeanne-mayell - Your experience with Henri Nouwen sounds incredible. People filled with light come in all areas and how fortunate you were to encounter and learn from him. I need to add his books to my reading list.
@deetoo - I would love to learn more about your experiences sometime. Maybe this topic could use a separate discussion here, or even just offline?