The Dance of Autonomy & Connection
Separate and together, division and union, independence and interdependence.
Welcome to this edition of Liminal Walker Musings!
Thank you for reading, you are very much appreciated.
Dear ones,
Today I want to dive into the marginal space of what it means to be both autonomous while also being fully connected and rooted. In a culture that is highly invested in the “OR” it feels like a digression, practically a sin to focus on the “AND”. In the “OR” only individualism matters. Yet, it is in the “AND” & “BOTH” that we enter into a deep sovereignty as togetherness with ourselves, with each other and with this planet. Being fully inclusive. I am attempting to tackle a big subject here with much to say while also trying to be concise. Off we go…
Interdependence and connection
Life is so freaking amazing!
Spreading through, in and as every particle, atom, cell and organism is an inherent connectivity which we are all a part of. Not just as spiritual wisdom, but deeply foundational as our physicality. This is the piece that tends to get ignored! A cultural conditioning that asks us to rise up and master our bodies and this planet as well. Yet, deep within our anatomy and physiology is an inter-relatedness and interdependence that is truly mind blowing!
I remember taking biochemistry in college, studying the various metabolic pathways. I would have these powerful experiences of wholeness, investigating these wondrous inter-plays and transmissions that happen within our bodies. Intricate organic structures and substructures always in communication. Processes that rely on a complex network of hormonal, electrical and biochemical signals and responses in order to have optimum health. Even to this day I am struck by this intelligence of the body, how everything is profoundly interconnected. Each piece is an integral part of the puzzle.
In microbiology class I was completely blown away again! This time finding out that our body is not only made of human cells but equal to that or more in number are the many microorganisms living with us in coexistence. These mostly beneficial bacteria live inside us, with a huge microbial biome in our gut. Living outside on our skin too, it’s a symbiosis where both the human body cells and the microorganisms benefit. A cooperation that is mutually advantageous.
Of course, if any of this gets out of balance, we can experience illness. The beauty of our bodies is that they have many backup systems and is able to adjust. Unfortunately, there are times the overload becomes too much. This is a big reason why living a balanced life is of high importance. As well as taking care of our environment that we share, a necessary aspect to our wellness. (A whole other topic for another time).
Our incredible bodies are made of this ground, of this soil. We come from this planet. We are not separate from it, nor meant to dominate or exploit it. She is our Mother! Each one of us is like a cell on this planet. An interrelated and interdependent collective whole. Living together as this continually forming tapestry where each one is a thread. Whether that be human, animal, plant, bird, etc. An innate inter-connectedness in relationship with EVERYTHING! Like the sacred geometry flower of life shown above. Each petal representing a single being, joined all together with the other petals in union. Unique individually and a necessary member of the whole.
This is our interdependence; we are linked in a way where each petal affects the ones around it. Analogous to our own nervous systems that sends out impulses, here rippling out across a network of our communal existence. We are being called right now, at this time particularly, to wake up and see this. To allow this vulnerability in, to really understand how much reliance we have on this planet and each other.
Mycelium has much to teach us. These complex structures that grow underground producing the mushrooms we see above it. Microscopic to the human eye, it is a dense network of fibers within the soil wrapping around tree roots creating a superhighway system of communication. While also providing the ability to transfer various needed nutrients. Showing us how important distribution is, for when one part of the system is depleted sharing resources benefits the whole.
Paradox
The truth about life is that we live with paradox. It is in all places, in every moment. A field of opposites in an ongoing dance, needing the other to exist. We see this as:
Cycles of the moon, waxing and waning.
Seasons. Summer and winter. Spring and autumn
Feelings of grief and joy.
Birth to death, death as birth
Brokenness as a place of strength.
Resilience through vulnerability.
Letting go to enter a greater wholeness.
My life calling lately has been to wander the space created between the opposites. I feel like an edge walker in training. Learning to be with both sides of the coin, to stand in between, in acceptance of “BOTH”! The challenging part is to travel within the margins without taking sides. Staying put as a growing capacity to be with both. It is totally okay to choose, moving as life calls. There are moments where I need to be alone, it is clear that is the direction to take. Until a turning of the wheel calls for me to get out and be more social. No matter which way, the key is not to impose my will upon it, but to listen for these natural impulses, to follow the crumbs.
The true pandemic we are facing right now in our culture is a polarized mentality, making one side right and the other wrong, when it is neither. A hyper focused individualism that revers independence as strength and interdependence as weakness, giving rise to the conquering mind set. As a result, we see the many hierarchies, corporate powers, political parties, prejudice, disparity and the like. Including domineering over the earth’s resources. Independence and self-sufficiency that totes freedom as its value, but are we really free? How can we be truly unencumbered when living in a world filled with power structures that works only for the few by taking advantage of the many.
I have spent most of my time here writing about our physical interdependence because this is the medicine we need during these times. A coming home to what we truly are together. Okay, so the good news and the bad news is the same. We are affected by the water we drink, the foods we eat, the environment we live in, the people we associate with, the culture we are enmeshed in, our ancestors that came before us, etc. We do have the power of choice and we don’t. We may make a decision and that creates ripples that spread out into our life and into those around us as well. Just as other people’s beliefs, behaviors and actions pulsate into ours. We can’t help but affect each other! Again, we do have the power of choice and we don’t. We can’t change others, but we can dive deep within our own being and unhook from this cultural conditioning.
If you are like me, this is an ongoing moment to moment commitment to rewilding, but well worth it! Looking to see where that conquering mindset operates in my being. Realizing that the mind is not the foremost authority, but actually needs to bow down to be in service to the heart. Love and compassion as supremacy, a recognition that we belong to each other.
MAGIC is REAL Not something only contained within fantasy books, myths and legends. It is here, spiraling all around us. Whirling within as the miraculous beings we are! It’s the sparkle of twilight. A shadow of mystery. The flickering glow of a candle. It’s the medium we are all immersed in. How it is felt understood wielded practiced is unique to each individual. Whether aroused for good or vice depends on intent. It is either a prayer or a hex. An invocation or a curse. Advantageous for all or for one’s own glory. Either way magic is here. Even if you are blind to it or don’t believe it is still being practiced. Just look to your thoughts the feelings it generates. What is being repeated is a spell, a bewitchment a conjuring of your life.
Would love to know your thoughts. How is your rewilding unfolding? What is it like to travel these spaces of separate and together? Lets have a conversation…
What is coming…
The journey continues, next issue is on the summer solstice. Come along with me for the celebration...
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https://www.liminalwalker.com/
Both/and is the most productive, and maybe the most difficult mindset to practice. Thanks for the reminder!
I have also been leaning into and/both, and the importance of our interconnectedness. There's so much to say about it, and this is a wonderful addition to the conversation.