Humans and Fear-Based Living
I was on a discussion thread via Linkedin. A great meeting-ground and resource, I am finding. While scrolling down through a list of holistic healing discussion topics, I came across one that was somewhat disturbing/ distressing. It had to do with humans as fear-based, that humans have evolved through fear.
I think to say humans have evolved through fear might be over-broad. Western culture is most assuredly fear-based. But many, if not most, indigenous cultures still live in a world that supports and sustains them. Their cosmology reflects this. Colin Turnbull’s book The Forest People has some phenomenal depictions of this world-view.
This is a rough excerpt from recollection- not a direct quote: “The forest is our mother, she takes care of us, and loves us. Sometimes it happens that our mother is sleeping, and bad things happen. A lion will come into the village, and kill a child ( etc). This happens because our mother is asleep and is not watching over us. So what do we do? We sing. We sing because we want/need (?) to wake up our mother. And we want her to wake up happy. That is why we sing to her.”
This perspective does not reflect a culture that lives or has evolved grounded in fear. This is a culture that has not walled itself off from the natural environment. Instead, they live within and among a world that many would find terrifying: deep in the African forests. And yet, these people understand and respect their world, rather than building walls to make themselves feel safe. That safety is artificial and heightens fear, and starts a spiral that spins out of control- into the world western culture inhabits.
And there are other stories that reflect similar perspectives and perceptions from other cultures.
It is important to note that indigenous cultures are not grounded in the western cosmology’s fall from grace. They were not expelled from Eden. God did not turn his back on them. Rather, we have turned our back on God, and Mother Earth. WE have forgotten how to LISTEN to the world around us. And even to listen to those around us. We can benefit from what indigenous cultures have never lost. They still live within the proverbial garden. And they perceive their role as stewardship, rather than one of dominion. That word distinction all in itself changes the paths between the two approaches to how we live in the world. For more on this concept, I recommend reading Daniel Quinn’s book Ishmael. One word establishes a hierarchy, in which there is no responsibility. The other word establishes a relationship with inherent obligations and responsibility. From respect comes partnership and trust. In true collaborative partnership, fear has no room to assert itself.
That is the world I choose to live in and create. How about you? Have you had experiences or insights based on the two different paradigms?
I am an Education Specialist, Health Coach and Author. I work with aspects of the teachings I have learned from Andean shamanic and cosmology, to health, nutrition and education. Everything is energy. Energy must flow. Like water, when it does not flow, it stagnates and is not healthy. These techniques help your life to flow. I have been initiated into many of the ancient lineages and learned ceremonies, rites of passage and healing techniques. I have worked as a healer and done workshops and taught some of these aspects – passing the teachings on.
Author of:
Dancing in Your Bubble : ancient teaching, modern healing
Natural Support for Alzheimer’s
Getting a Handle on Happy : find and fix causes of stress and depression
The Naturally Smarter Kid : a parent’s guide to helping kids succeed in school and life
Cafe of the Hungry Ghosts : behind the veil of ordinary – a paranormal-ish fiction book
http://BeingHerd.com
http://repairalz.com
