Beautiful writing all the way through and I specifically loved the part with the lattes! I felt I was there having them with you! And yes I would have had a hard time too with women being excluded from leadership positions. Earlier in my life I would have taken what I liked and left the rest. But today, I admit it would be a deal breaker.
Thanks so much for your generous and kind response, Julie. And yes, even though they’re another form of patriarchal hierarchy, I’m still grateful to have them as neighbors as they’re at least embodying the sacred masculine. Their tradition has just not yet found a conscious balance.♥️🙏🏼🕊
Yes of course! I rethought my comment and hope I did not imply to not write the letter and accept them as neighbors. My deal breaker would be in participating. Actually as neighbors go, I imagine the peace and quiet they bring to be quiet beautiful. Only adding to the environment. Giving to it rather than taking away.
I always welcome and appreciate your comments Julie❤️🙏🏼🕊and while I do observe and object to their lack of female leadership, I do still sometimes participate in their gatherings and I definitely enjoy the people I’ve met through the monastery. And yes, as you say, they bring a beautiful energy of harmony and peace and they told us that where their branch monasteries take root, local wildlife often comes back to the area, which has been true. We’ve seen more bears, bobcats, moose, porcupines, foxes, and even more birds seem to be about these days. Perhaps I endeavor to appreciate the gifts, while still shining the light on the challenges, recognizing simply that this is still an area for an evolution of consciousness. Sorry, I’ll get off my soap box now😁
Oh no, loving your soapbox! What I am sensing into here is something more...It has brought me into a deeper contemplation. When does having safe boundaries and values I stand by become opinions or intolerance? This feels very nuanced. Years ago I spent some considerable time with Tibetan Buddhist monks. It was an incredibly powerful experience! And has had a major influence on where I am today in my own journey. And I remember on a retreat at an Hindu ashram when a deer walked into the tent were a few of us were silently sitting. She sat down with us! So profound! The ashram too brought many animals into that area. And I am deeply concerned with our patriarchal systems. When is enough, enough? Yet as I sense into what you share here these monks are embodying the divine masculine. Which is very important today! As I say, very nuanced. Thank you for this conversation, it has invited me to look deeply into what I say and the feeling or thoughts behind it. ❤
I so appreciate your kindness and generosity Julie! And I simply adore that Substack creates a space for these kinds of exchanges. And wow, to the deer coming in and sitting with you! What an amazing blessing. I'm guessing you may know the Native American significance of deer representing the energy of healing, gentle love, and innocence✨🦌✨🧚♀️🤸♀️🌼🌷🌈🌺🪷💕☀️😎💃🕺☯️🥰✨🌟💖🙏🕊️😘
Beautiful writing, Camilla! Constellate is my word of the year and I was thrilled to see it here. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve looked at leaves on the road and thought of them as falling stars. Happy New Year and best wishes!
I’m so pleased my writing thrilled you, Priya🤩 Thanks so much for reading and responding, and I love your word of the year. Many blessings to you for the new year as well♥️🙏🏼🕊
I always wondered how you came to live across the road from the Buddhist monks. Now I know. Lovely writing, Camilla. Your words capture the scenes, the events, and your feelings at the time — beautifully. :)
❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful writing all the way through and I specifically loved the part with the lattes! I felt I was there having them with you! And yes I would have had a hard time too with women being excluded from leadership positions. Earlier in my life I would have taken what I liked and left the rest. But today, I admit it would be a deal breaker.
Thanks so much for your generous and kind response, Julie. And yes, even though they’re another form of patriarchal hierarchy, I’m still grateful to have them as neighbors as they’re at least embodying the sacred masculine. Their tradition has just not yet found a conscious balance.♥️🙏🏼🕊
Yes of course! I rethought my comment and hope I did not imply to not write the letter and accept them as neighbors. My deal breaker would be in participating. Actually as neighbors go, I imagine the peace and quiet they bring to be quiet beautiful. Only adding to the environment. Giving to it rather than taking away.
I always welcome and appreciate your comments Julie❤️🙏🏼🕊and while I do observe and object to their lack of female leadership, I do still sometimes participate in their gatherings and I definitely enjoy the people I’ve met through the monastery. And yes, as you say, they bring a beautiful energy of harmony and peace and they told us that where their branch monasteries take root, local wildlife often comes back to the area, which has been true. We’ve seen more bears, bobcats, moose, porcupines, foxes, and even more birds seem to be about these days. Perhaps I endeavor to appreciate the gifts, while still shining the light on the challenges, recognizing simply that this is still an area for an evolution of consciousness. Sorry, I’ll get off my soap box now😁
Oh no, loving your soapbox! What I am sensing into here is something more...It has brought me into a deeper contemplation. When does having safe boundaries and values I stand by become opinions or intolerance? This feels very nuanced. Years ago I spent some considerable time with Tibetan Buddhist monks. It was an incredibly powerful experience! And has had a major influence on where I am today in my own journey. And I remember on a retreat at an Hindu ashram when a deer walked into the tent were a few of us were silently sitting. She sat down with us! So profound! The ashram too brought many animals into that area. And I am deeply concerned with our patriarchal systems. When is enough, enough? Yet as I sense into what you share here these monks are embodying the divine masculine. Which is very important today! As I say, very nuanced. Thank you for this conversation, it has invited me to look deeply into what I say and the feeling or thoughts behind it. ❤
I so appreciate your kindness and generosity Julie! And I simply adore that Substack creates a space for these kinds of exchanges. And wow, to the deer coming in and sitting with you! What an amazing blessing. I'm guessing you may know the Native American significance of deer representing the energy of healing, gentle love, and innocence✨🦌✨🧚♀️🤸♀️🌼🌷🌈🌺🪷💕☀️😎💃🕺☯️🥰✨🌟💖🙏🕊️😘
Beautiful writing, Camilla! Constellate is my word of the year and I was thrilled to see it here. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve looked at leaves on the road and thought of them as falling stars. Happy New Year and best wishes!
I’m so pleased my writing thrilled you, Priya🤩 Thanks so much for reading and responding, and I love your word of the year. Many blessings to you for the new year as well♥️🙏🏼🕊
I always wondered how you came to live across the road from the Buddhist monks. Now I know. Lovely writing, Camilla. Your words capture the scenes, the events, and your feelings at the time — beautifully. :)
Thanks so much for your generous and kind support Michael. Great to hear from you as always♥️🙏🕊