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Monday, September 06, 2010
Punishment from the Sky
I had a fun conversation with my friend Ellen about choices, and it made me think. We're all comforted by knowing the why's in our lives. And sometimes, beliefs are more about comfort than fact.
Mercury Retrograde, for example.
It's gained popularity in recent years. It's an astronomical term for the optical illusion of planetary orbit: to us, it looks like Mercury occasionally goes backwards because of it rounding its orbit of the sun. Astrologically, Mercury Retrograde is said to uncover things we are not aware of: clerical errors, malfunctioning things, miscommunications and misunderstandings.
It's gained popularity in recent years. It's an astronomical term for the optical illusion of planetary orbit: to us, it looks like Mercury occasionally goes backwards because of it rounding its orbit of the sun. Astrologically, Mercury Retrograde is said to uncover things we are not aware of: clerical errors, malfunctioning things, miscommunications and misunderstandings.
I just don't buy into it. Astrology is based on the influence of planets as they travel, not the OPTICAL illusion of our perspective. I know Mercury does reverse its course through the zodiac when retrograde, but until someone can prove that MORE things go wrong when Mercury is retrograde than when it is not retrograde, I won't be giving away my power to this.
We want a place to point, and say, "This is why, here's the answer, I feel relieved in knowing why." Or even, "We're all in this together, experiencing the effects caused by x. I don't feel so alone or singled out." But how happy are we being a victim of an outside force we can't control?
Highest Good
To me, the notion that "x" is happening to me because it's for my Highest Good is much more comforting than "x" is happening because Mercury is retrograde. It makes me search for meaning and value. My mind lets go of blame so it can focus on finding the usefulness of the experience... or if particularly unpleasant, I am at least free to make choices. Highest Good also makes me think of forward movement. Progress. Evolving toward being a more balanced person through life's trials and tribulations. Sometimes my Highest Good is married to someone else's, sometimes, it's mostly my lesson to learn. I try not to give in to the old-world religious notion that there are these forces out there that are about punishment... whether it's karma, Mercury retrograde or God.
Karma is a comforting idea to me: for every action there is an equal reaction. It's not about punishment, but the result of choices that were made. The idea goes: make good, compassionate choices and find the value in the difficult things that are part of everyone's life, and the boomerang coming back at you will be more pleasant. If I don't understand the relevance of something now, I'll probably understand it soon enough. If I search for meaning, I find it.
Karma is a comforting idea to me: for every action there is an equal reaction. It's not about punishment, but the result of choices that were made. The idea goes: make good, compassionate choices and find the value in the difficult things that are part of everyone's life, and the boomerang coming back at you will be more pleasant. If I don't understand the relevance of something now, I'll probably understand it soon enough. If I search for meaning, I find it.
We are all in this together. We each have things sneak up on us. Misunderstandings, miscommunications and mishaps happen all year long, no more or less likely, whether Mercury is or isn't retrograde. Tough as it is to undergo things unknown and unplanned and unpleasant, especially when they pile up, I think I am personally much happier if I choose to look for the Highest Good ... rather than the source of punishment. If I have a choice ... I think I'll choose the belief that makes me feel supported rather than the one that makes me feel like a victim.
And everyone else is perfectly supported in whichever of those choices they are more comfortable with. Free will to choose.
Some cycles in life are harder than others. Hopefully, when I'm stuck, lost, overwhelmed or down, Life or those I love will continue to help me find my way back to seeking understanding rather than commiserating as a victim.
But I just don't believe in punishment from the sky... Mercury Retrograde is just old-world organized religion in disguise. No thanks, and please pass the Highest Good.
But I just don't believe in punishment from the sky... Mercury Retrograde is just old-world organized religion in disguise. No thanks, and please pass the Highest Good.
~Shephard :)
Labels: Of Mice and Mondays
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