Perilous times
In a 2019 Halo and Noose newsletter (From Walls to Bridges
with Story}:
Growing threats include global warming, degradation, destruction, pollution, conflict, the decline of scarce resources, shrinking economies, the rise of ‘we first’ patriotism relative to cooperative globalisation, and shrinking personal freedom. In tandem with these threats, we see a disquieting development - the emergence, in politics and in the business world, of story that misinforms, manipulates, coerces, divides, demeans, ostracizes and deceives. Witness fake news, astroturfing, Brand stories that pretend at values and principles that are not practised, and downright lies. Web content creators manage to slip past gatekeepers and spread misinformation and lies. They succeed in these manipulations, and in pushing for and finding fertile ground for the establishment and reinforcement of their agendas. Some politicians deviously manage their desired outcomes by preying on fears, promoting 'alternative realities', presenting factoids based on false assumptions, resorting to propaganda. They blur the truth and bolster their own position and interests. (Curtis, A. 2016).
This fudging of truth spreads and goes hand in hand with a rise in ever-increasing narcissistic attitudes and behaviours, and consequently we are seeing a drop in trust, civility, respect, compassion, and attempts to bridge differences. And we are seeing more ‘you-owe-me’ behaviour, naming and blaming, imposing of shame and guilt on others.
To
this ‘distancing’ trend, politicians have used fear, falsehoods and coercion to
impose physical social distancing (along with many other measures, and while at
the same time not providing people with the information needed to make informed
decisions of their own). They have done this ostensibly because of the
coronavirus threat.
In the local South African situation, we have suddenly experienced extensive, localised, sporadic anarchy – perhaps opportunistic, perhaps born out of frustration and dire need, but perhaps also strategically orchestrated. There is a chance that more anarchy will follow and lead to a total destruction of our economy, environment and society. Without miraculous intervention, given the current government ideology, aims, levels of corruption, incompetence, and a penchant for deceit and creating divisions, the cracks in the dam wall will continue to rapidly widen. The dam is nearly about to burst.
And yet the vast majority prefer to not see and they turn a blind eye.
So that we can shift the societal narrative positively.
What is discernment?
It is not, in the context of this newsletter, about interpreting of social nuances or cross-cultural engagement cues in order to discern differences and then alter one’s communication and behaviour accordingly. Nor anything other than discerning the truth about what is happening around us and to us as a society under threat.
Discernment is not cognitive brilliance, or emotional and social acuity, but a soul thing. A heart-informed thing. An aspect of an agent-based (that is, person-based and not rules-based) spiritual maturity. It is not about power, but about acting upon, and appropriately alerting, influencing and guiding others according to truth received.
“We
have a ‘heart brain’ with a vast array of neurons that are processing sensory
information on their own and communicating that information to our brain,
nervous system and other organ systems. This means the heart is able to learn,
remember, and make decisions independent of the brain” (Tafler, A.
2019)
It is about seeing what is hidden from most. It is about recognising that even in the depths of darkness and despair, the soul yearns for and responds to kindness and love. Discerning the truth in matters of great importance to our well-being as whole people – physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually.
(Without limiting the number of senses that we have and the ways we can sense, to six only), the term “sixth sense” is generally understood as an indefinable. Something beyond the other senses, beyond instinct and intuition. An extra faculty that allows for the obtaining of an awareness and insight that is not explained in terms of our normal perception). Discernment relies on a tapping into an implicate reality. A reality that is deeper than and upholds and feeds the explicate reality that we are able to observe. My word for this implicate reality that we don’t know, cannot fathom nor explain, is ‘God’.
Discernment is fed by wisdom and love and
leads to wise, loving and congruent thinking, feeling, behaving (morally and
ethically) and knowing. It is hearing that still small voice by a readied-to-receive
person.
Individuals stand watch but discernment, formulation of ways to guide and influence may also be an aspect of small - group dynamics.
Since ancient times, First Nations and a number of other indigenous peoples have burned sage for centuries as part of a spiritual ritual to bring about healing and wisdom. When we speak of sage advice (advice from a discerning Sage) we acknowledge truth, wisdom and the opportunity for sound, pure healing. A Seer or Prophetess is a see-er - one who has insight into what we shall all see externally in future.
Why is discernment so necessary?
During and after times of twisted
truth, confusion and fear-mongering, we must go against the odds and be a part
of reconstructing compassionate communities. In order to do so we must first
see what is wrong and how to put it right. This requires that we avoid self-deception.
4 songs have helped me to understand:
- The political system is broken. There are lies and people-of-the-lie, psychological stress, dysphoria. Foresight trumps hindsight as we’ve learned from our mistakes in the Hitler, apartheid and other eras). Leonard Cohen from Everybody Knows:
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking.
Everybody knows that the captain lied.
Everybody got this broken feeling.
Like their father or their dog just died
- It’s up to us. Bob Marley’s Redemption Song speaks of our inner work being the route
- Normally we see dimly, defend the limited truth we think we have to avoid mental stress (cognitive dissonance). Discernment is not only the weighing up of argument in a left-brain manner but comes from the inner realm and a pure heart. This enables true interpretation of the external. Another Jamaican musician, Jimmy Cliff:
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind”
It’s not about Me.
It’s about We”
So, these 4 songs teach that we could seriously deliberate on and discuss:
- the discernment of lies and deceit, hidden
agendas, subtle propaganda, the use of psychology and behavioural economics to
influence covertly and even subliminally, the seeding of collective trauma,
- discernment of how we fit and connect with nature and others. Do what is best for our environment, our interconnectedness, our interactions and transactions. Our home (the planet), our family (society) and our subsistence (economy).
- and discernment of how to bridge the gap between what is and what should be. Our opportunities for truth, peace, compassion, hope, love.
Thus
In these times of fake news, lies and
deception let’s strive to be accurate and informed in our evaluations and
judgements – and learn and work at discerning the truth and then to alert,
influence and guide those who would hear. Theologian Richard Rohr speaks of “the demonic legitimization of oppressive and destructive
power by governments and institutions”. He
speaks too of the benefit of spiritual discernment: “… you can
understand on a whole new level… because now you see with wisdom and truth. It
is the birth of subtlety, discrimination, and compassionate seeing”. (Rohr,
R. 2013)
If the world is potentially being subjected to a campaign of fear, falsehood, coercion and force towards a new normal that is against the best interests of the majority of humanity, then it is critical that this evil be fully discerned, bravely exposed, and confronted in whatever ways are left open to us, for as long as we are able – and whatever labelling, abuse and persecution may transpire for us.
Practicing discernment, as uncomfortable, challenging and as dangerous as it may be, falls under the umbrella of how we live our lives, and is an act of love, especially during times such as these.
Existential psychiatrist Irvin Yalom, a ‘non-believer’ and in many ways a maverick (being against how the profession subscribes unnecessary medication, how psychiatrists keep ‘objectively’ aloof instead of practicing self-revelation with their patients. And who pioneered small patient-led circles/ groups long before the official medical profession was ready) explains beautifully in this anecdote:
“Jill, I said, ‘You have a young daughter
who’s about nine. Imagine that she asked, ‘If we are (all) going to die, then why
or how should I live?’
How would you answer?
Unhesitatingly she replied, ‘I’d tell her
about the joys of living, the beauty of the forests, the pleasure of being with
friends and family, the bliss of spreading love to others and of leaving the world
a better place’”. (Yalom, I. 2009)
REFERENCES
Curtis,
Adam (2016) HyperNormalization: a different experience of reality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh2cDKyFdyU
Rohr,
Richard (2013) Daily Meditation 18 of 52: Calling Evil Good and Good Evil,
adapted from Spiral of Violence: the world, the flesh and the devil
Tafler,
Afshan (2019) How Your Heart May Be Your Wisest Brain June
27, 2019
https://unyte.com/blogs/news/how-your-heart-may-be-your-wisest-brain
Yalom, Irvin D. (2009) Staring at the sun:
overcoming the terror of death Jossey-Bass
IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONS
Bob Marley live in concert in Zurich, Switzerland on 30 May, 1980 at the Hallenstadium. Wiki Commons Free File: Bob-Marley-in-Concert Zurich 05-30-80 cropped.jpg
Jimmy Cliff en concert sur la scène Landaoudec lors du festival du bout du Monde à Crozon dans le Finistère (France). 4th August, 2012. Wiki Commons Free File: File:Jimmy Cliff - Festival du Bout du Monde 2012 - 008.jpg
Leonard Cohen 27th October, 2008. Wiki Commons Free File: File:Leonard Cohen 2143.jpg
