Comments for Mary Ann Vorasky

Comment on Our Tender Feelings by Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:26:16 +0000

What an interesting connection between violence and sexual suppression, Mary Ann! I’ve not thought about it before but it makes a lot of sense: The more we suppress an important part of ourselves, the more violent we become because an outlet is needed (after all sexual expression is necessary for reproduction, one key driver of evolution). I wonder if cultures with less sexual taboos and restrictions are generally more peaceful. Certainly the (puritan) Christian culture is very restrictive – not only in the hetero- and homosexuality dichotomy. Sex is seen as a necessity but it’s best to be avoided even if it’s heterosexual sex. It’s not for expressing ourselves, it’s strictly for reproduction.

In the history of singlehood amongst women, the tender expression of love was systematically turned into a taboo by labeling it as homosexual (and thus deviant). Prior to the Civil War, the expression of love between women was more accepted. Possibly because of a shortage of men, after the Civil War such sentiments were seen as threatening and thus squashed with a huge, big societal taboo. Somehow expressing tender feelings was turned into something wrong and pathological.

Comment on Listen to the Music that is There by river

river — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:01:19 +0000

i hope you write more about the conference. The words of the Sweet Honey in the Rock are very nice. enjoyed reading this post

Comment on Being the Change – Dammed if You Don’t by river

river — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:32:11 +0000

interesting post i too had just read the thoughts the words from Amma about the post and then was taking a look at Clarissa Pinkola Estes blog and came across these words from her that some how expands Amma’s, Clarissa’s words and your together concerning the past.

” Grave-looking takes guts, calm, and deep souls. . . so that looking has every chance of turning into useful inquiry instead of endless indictment.”

In speaking about race in the blog Clarissa says,” The graves are wide open and the graves are unblessed.” I think the key to letting go of the past is to look at it long enough to release it with blessing.

I remember Swamiji saying, the past is just a place to visit like a basement it is not a live.

I have so often appreciated you posting the Amma quotes, so many times have felt they were a direct transmission with the perfect words at the right time. Many thanks