Here and Now...What's Happening?

[Chester]

Posted by PurpleLama (here)
I do disagree, there should be no rules unspoken, no invisible lines to trap the unwary. This is not how we roll.

But is it not true that no matter what rules are put in place, those rules are interpreted by each and every one of us? And that in that interpretation, one may perceive the rule differently than another? And that at the end of the day, when a conflict arises due to one or more villagers interpreting a rule differently... such that someone crosses some line that is also simply an interpretation that one or more third parties interpret and then must step in to make a ruling... isn't this all and only the way of humanity throughout our known history done things? And where has that gotten humanity?

And I read the OP and subsequent early posts about the rules and I had to interpret what those rules meant and I perceieve I did not violate any rule directly. But what I also realized is that I crossed a line yesterday that the Chester of integrity would not have crossed. Did I violate a rule? I am unsure. Did I compromise my own integrity? Definitely.

Just thoughts... from justoneman

[ulli]

Posted by justoneman (here)

Posted by PurpleLama (here)
I do disagree, there should be no rules unspoken, no invisible lines to trap the unwary. This is not how we roll.

But is it not true that no matter what rules are put in place, those rules are interpreted by each and every one of us? And that in that interpretation, one may perceive the rule differently than another? And that at the end of the day, when a conflict arises due to one or more villagers interpreting a rule differently... such that someone crosses some line that is also simply an interpretation that one or more third parties interpret and then must step in to make a ruling... isn't this all and only the way of humanity throughout our known history done things? And where has that gotten humanity?

And I read the OP and subsequent early posts about the rules and I had to interpret what those rules meant and I perceieve I did not violate any rule directly. But what I also realized is that I crossed a line yesterday that the Chester of integrity would not have crossed. Did I violate a rule? I am unsure. Did I compromise my own integrity? Definitely.

Just thoughts... from justoneman

If the Chester of integrity is that strict with himself he could make a better Village mayor than Ulli.
Leadership is still necessary, but the leaders need to be top notch, which I'm not.
Despite writing 32 posts yesterday I still failed at clarifying the situation.
Araucaria and Flash did a brilliant job. What is it about French speakers, I wonder?

[Chester]

Posted by justoneman (here)

Posted by PurpleLama (here)
I do disagree, there should be no rules unspoken, no invisible lines to trap the unwary. This is not how we roll.

But is it not true that no matter what rules are put in place, those rules are interpreted by each and every one of us? And that in that interpretation, one may perceive the rule differently than another? And that at the end of the day, when a conflict arises due to one or more villagers interpreting a rule differently... such that someone crosses some line that is also simply an interpretation that one or more third parties interpret and then must step in to make a ruling... isn't this all and only the way of humanity throughout our known history done things? And where has that gotten humanity?

And I read the OP and subsequent early posts about the rules and I had to interpret what those rules meant and I perceieve I did not violate any rule directly. But what I also realized is that I crossed a line yesterday that the Chester of integrity would not have crossed. Did I violate a rule? I am unsure. Did I compromise my own integrity? Definitely.

Just thoughts... from justoneman

I posted the above then went back and saw Ulli had posted. In reading Ulli's post, I saw someone who looked at the whole situation as it happened, owned up to their own role in it, made a good case regarding why she reacted, clarified for me the underlying and foundational guideline about what this thread is supposed to be about, which was created by Ulli and I feel a huge sense of understanding now that I did not have when I stumbled into this village just yesterday.

I read in some other posts that perhaps one or more posters have been asked to not post in this thread? If that is the case, could it not be possible to directly invite them back, apologize directly for any reaction that may have been taken personally and and that we hopefully can learn better where this actual line, rule, guideline is drawn?

Seems that would be taking the highest road possible.

justoneidea from justoneman

[ThePythonicCow]

Posted by ulli (here)
So up there is ...

I applied more conventional quoting syntax to your post ... hope that's OK .

[Chester]

Posted by ulli (here)
If the Chester of integrity is that strict with himself he could make a better Village mayor than Ulli.
Leadership is still necessary, but the leaders need to be top notch, which I'm not.
Despite writing 32 posts yesterday I still failed at clarifying the situation.
Araucaria and Flash did a brilliant job. What is it about French speakers, I wonder?

I am inconsistent, Ulli - today I might be a good mayor, tomorrow I might be a dangerous policeman with a gun... I have lots more personal growth to get to a stage a village should feel comfortable in relying on me. I knew I was being a jerk yesterday - this is my second nail in the fence at Avalon... removed but a hole remains, still very clear and visible. Love Chester

Also, I personally apologize to you. Was unacceptable some of my posts.

[ulli]

Posted by Paul (here)

Posted by ulli (here)
So up there is ...

I applied more conventional quoting syntax to your post ... hope that's OK .

Awesome. Was hoping you would.

[araucaria]

Posted by 1inMany (here)
Good Morning,

Struggling to get a handle, keeping a firm grasp of my anchor with one hand while using the other to mundane chores. Rocky and Belle, please share what works for you in keeping a sense of sanity while energies are rockin' and rollin'!

Got one off to school, saved the other school from the human F-bomb. It is a challenge to remain an anchor myself, but I am giving it all I've got. Even when it doesn't feel like I am doing anything but standing and staring with my jaw on the floor, haha.

It is a beautiful, crisp morning. Nestled in the trees in northeastern Texas is quite a comfort. Though I don't connect with nature's energies the way some Villagers are gifted enough to do, I am aware of the gift of their energies and I love the protection of the trees. They are like having a much bigger comfy blanket

Ya know, I don't think there are Village rules, per se. I believe we have guidelines, and if you look at this part of the introduction maybe you can see what I mean:

Then came Project Avalon, and Bill Ryan's standards in civility made it to the Internet
with a 95% balanced moderator team.
And still, people were arguing about other people's speculations.
A need for reporting reality (never mind how mundane) arose and I was prompted to start this thread.

To begin with the early posters shared those (never mind how mundane) moments of their lives...
which resulted in the discovery that we all had more in common than expected.
and somehow an intimacy developed.
Intimacy means comfort, and comfort means warmth, and warmth means energy.

As this energy was being exchanged it grew and grew and people started to feel their own energy levels going up.

And this, my dear newcomers, is the point of this thread!
You are all welcome to help yourselves here.
Anything you wish to share is accepted, without judgment...
We are a loving bunch.
Please feel FREE and COZY in the Village.
As they say in Costa Rica: Mi Casa es Tu Casa (which means in English 'my house is your house')

Or "Our Village is Your Village".

It seems that the Village had grown and evolved by the time I arrived. It had gone from a place to simply state your reality to a place where the commonalities among those who stop by were magnified, and the different opinions were left to be discussed and debated in the forum at large. I guess I see it like this. While differences and samenesses (making up my own word there) become apparent in the forum at large, and while realizing this can be a catalyst for growth, the Village has become a place of comfort. What makes this comfort (and remember, as my signature says this is simply my truth) is the acceptance of each other and the blind support of each other. The blind support comes from not needing to agree with everyone in the Village, but it is more than a tolerance of differences. It is the honest and heartfeld ability to read another's post and appreciate where that is coming from.

If I may borrow a couple of pennies from you Dedukshyn, that's my 2 cents

Much Love,

A dollar for your thoughts, 1inMany. I don't like to see you scrounging for loose change like that, and now you can regale us with another 50 posts

I think it's not quite so much about rules on this thread as about staying on topic. Amazingly for some, it IS possible to go off topic here even though we talk about whatever we like.

I'm just back from a game of tennis (about as rusty as the clay court ). We play to the rules, of course, but as we are not playing for points in the ATP rankings, we don't dispute every close linecall; if in any doubt we'd rather concede the point. This is how we interpret the rules amongst ourselves, and it would be 'off topic' for some new guy making up numbers to deviate significantly from that. There may be a slight disagreement with a call, but nothing winning the next point won't put right . You just relax, enjoy each other's company and help each other to make a decent game of it.

[1inMany]

This is a test for everyone, isn't it? What if I do not see happen what I think is "right"? Will I stay? What if you (whoever you are) do not see happen what you think is "right"? Will you stay? This is just one idea, and I'm not asking anyone else to accept it. Maybe think about it, but it would be un-Villager-like of me to ask anyone else to adopt this way of looking at things. There are 24 people looking at this thread as I post this. I wonder, if each offered what they think would be "right" if there would be 24 different "rights." I am letting go of what I think is "right" in this situation, right now. Because it is not for me to kick someone's butt in the "right" direction. It is for me to share...as it always has been for me...in hopes that I may reach one other person who is struggling through this awakening process, or this whatever it is. Maybe I can inspire someone, maybe I can help someone, join whatever energies I can muster with that of the other Villagers and send peace or comfort or healing.

Love you All,

[Lisab]

Well then Justoneman, when your a jerk you sure are a lovable jerk! Love having you here in the village.

Big hug to Belle, Ulli and all.

[RunningDeer]

“And that at the end of the day, when a conflict arises due to one or more villagers interpreting a rule differently... such that someone crosses some line that is also simply an interpretation that one or more third parties interpret and then must step in to make a ruling... isn't this all and only the way of humanity throughout our known history done things? And where has that gotten humanity?”

Good points, justoneman. Another possibility is the two parties work together towards clarifying what is said. See it as points of view without judgement interjected. In the end, it might be that the solution is, “we agree to disagree”. Period. The End.

IMO: All thoughts just are point of views. Why get so hung up on them? They’re just letters strung together. If POVs are shared with integrity, then what’s lasting is the warm, cuddly stuff beyond the words.

Posted by justoneman (here)

Posted by PurpleLama (here)
I do disagree, there should be no rules unspoken, no invisible lines to trap the unwary. This is not how we roll.

But is it not true that no matter what rules are put in place, those rules are interpreted by each and every one of us? And that in that interpretation, one may perceive the rule differently than another? And that at the end of the day, when a conflict arises due to one or more villagers interpreting a rule differently... such that someone crosses some line that is also simply an interpretation that one or more third parties interpret and then must step in to make a ruling... isn't this all and only the way of humanity throughout our known history done things? And where has that gotten humanity?

And I read the OP and subsequent early posts about the rules and I had to interpret what those rules meant and I perceieve I did not violate any rule directly. But what I also realized is that I crossed a line yesterday that the Chester of integrity would not have crossed. Did I violate a rule? I am unsure. Did I compromise my own integrity? Definitely.

Just thoughts... from justoneman

[ulli]

Posted by justoneman (here)

Posted by ulli (here)
If the Chester of integrity is that strict with himself he could make a better Village mayor than Ulli.
Leadership is still necessary, but the leaders need to be top notch, which I'm not.
Despite writing 32 posts yesterday I still failed at clarifying the situation.
Araucaria and Flash did a brilliant job. What is it about French speakers, I wonder?

I am inconsistent, Ulli - today I might be a good mayor, tomorrow I might be a dangerous policeman with a gun... I have lots more personal growth to get to a stage a village should feel comfortable in relying on me. I knew I was being a jerk yesterday - this is my second nail in the fence at Avalon... removed but a hole remains, still very clear and visible. Love Chester

Also, I personal apologize to you. Was unacceptable some of my posts.

I have no recall of being offended by you at all. I already said that your presence was very welcome due to the positive energy you provided. If you think that your New York City comment was the one, let me tell you it was one of the few moments where I did an LOL....
it showed me also that you were a free person, who can make their own choices in life and come and go as they please.
It is this I would like to see in everybody.
I'm not too clingy about people here, even though some exists left me a little sad. But it is their choice.
The other thing:
Inconsistency....yeah, sigh, tell me about it!
Sticking with the Village has been a great exercise for me in that regard. No one here knows how often I felt like moving on.
But I really like the people here.

[ThePythonicCow]

Posted by ulli (here)
Araucaria and Flash did a brilliant job. What is it about French speakers, I wonder?

It's easier to baffle (both one's self and the listener) with B.S. when speaking in one's native tongue. If one looks at only those who have learned and are speaking in a second tongue (especially in the case of Americans, who like myself are notoriously monolingual), and if one considers only what those people get around to saying in a second tongue, there is a higher chance that they actually have something of substance, or at least of clear concept, to say.

[Flash]

Ulli mentioned my post and I thought i should repost again, just to make it better understandable by everyone, including those who may not have read it. With Ulli's post on the previous page, it makes sense imho

From Flash: If you reopen the thread, I give you the permission to post the following on it. I had written it but lost it when I came to post because the thread was closed.

Here it goes:


From Ulli "Im responding to the bolded part. The imagined slights of others and of self. And the "nobody" ....
" Nobody?" You are speaking on behalf of others, as if you know for sure?
The lines are blurring again.

The moment someone steps up to another, and perceiving a flaw, points it out, the other feels forced to make a split decision...respond or ignore.

When the pressure is increased the response may not come out as fine-tuned as it normally would,
and that's when someone's communication skills become apparent.
I'm here on an open forum, where I'm talking with people I have never met before, and some of whom may not have my best interest at heart, nor that of the Village."
If I understood well, I just, for the first time, truly start getting a glimpse at the thread's experience or what we may call Ulli's experience. I had felt it before, knew it was something special, but my mind was not up there yet.

You are saying that we can, here, hold or own ourselves completely, entirely. The experience is one of owning oneself. No need for generalisation, no need for talking for others, no need for religious thinking or teachng, if I am owning myself completely. Generalisations, religious ideas or talking for others is only used to emphasize my owning of myself.

The problem with generalisation, religious teachings, talking for others is that they are the premises for dualism and lost of oneself.

You want here to offer an environment that is protected/protective for owning oneself completely. This is the law of Ulli's land (metaphorically speaking). Getting in the depth of oneself, sharing the ownership joy and sadness, owning oneself completely.

No need to give lessons, just comments from oneself. No need to judge, owning oneself. Duality has disappeared, nothing to replace it (forget the dualistic thinking of " all one versus present dualities").

Am I right? Is it what it is about?

If so, I have never seen such a proposition anywhere much less on any forum. It litterally makes my tears come up and my heart ring a charade stabilising at another level. (sorry Carmody for a glimpse of my beliefs appearing again, I work with who I presently am )

This is what I felt so special about the thread and the group of people on it, this "all in it being themselves, owning oneself" whichever oneself we are.

Ulli's post from the precedent page:

So up there is the culprit that started everything.
(Or was it Jenci's earlier post? where she expressed that she did not like the way things were done in the Village)

The point I wanted to make is the bolded line. It shows where I had been triggered....
In my obsessive need to find the answer, and I knew this was like a Zen koan.
..so my brain got short circuited, trying to find a solution to her dilemma and also realizing there could never be one, other than to take her own counsel, and not try and fix things.
But I was also feeling it in my chest, knowing how many well intentioned healers we have here, who are already deeply connected with their Source. They did not need to be told by Jenci to do so. I identified with their dilemma, too, but still thought it better to leave it alone. So I did not respond.

Yet another bob could not leave it alone. He gave her post that extra push by reposting it.
it was this push that made me come out with my opinion about it, which was admittedly expressed in an exasperated tone, but the point had to be made that we cannot go round telling others what is wrong with them. We have the option to leave. There can be no other way

Go within, do yourself, what you want to see others do. It never works to herd others into a certain direction, they are not sheeple, they are cats.
They are sovereign individuals. That is the secret of this Village thread and why it has lasted so long.

When I came to Costa Rica 21 years ago I was at odds with Costa Rica and wanted to change every Costa Rican I met, and teach them about honesty.
I failed miserably. I learnt that you cannot change a country, that you cannot change another person, that you can only change yourself. So in the end I did my homework.
I went within, while living a quiet life.

The alternative is called preaching. Telling others how to be and what must be done is what all the clergymen of all the religions of the world are doing, and failing at.
Sure they are finding adherents. And some even want to become clergy themselves.

But in the end the best way to find one's spiritual home is through independent research. The Internet provides lots of options, it is a labyrinth. Some get lost in there and others find the gold.

The Village has one rule, No one preaches at one another, no one goes around nitpicking.
There is no such thing as constructive criticism here, nor censorship, only alternative solutions can be offered. In the spirit of love and mutual respect.

I have decided never to close the thread now.
Unless it is temporary, when tanks start driving down Main Street, like yesterday.

But I won't risk my health by defending it again. Let everyone who loves the Village atmosphere remember the rule above. If they don't agree they can find or start another village.
All is well.


P.S. all Marianne did was re emphasize that important rule.
She was told she was beating a dead horse.
The rest is history.

To me it is pretty clear, when put together. Hopefully,

That is it, my habitual hesitation in my abilities to understand surface again.... speak to yourself Flash, speak to yourself Flash, red light of false beliefs about oneself. lol

[Chester]

Posted by Paul (here)

Posted by ulli (here)
Araucaria and Flash did a brilliant job. What is it about French speakers, I wonder?

It's easier to baffle (both one's self and the listener) with B.S. when speaking in one's native tongue. If one looks at only those who have learned and are speaking in a second tongue (especially in the case of Americans, who like myself are notoriously monolingual), and if one considers only what those people get around to saying in a second tongue, there is a higher chance that they actually have something of substance, or at least of clear concept, to say.

Intiendo Pablo, y gracias para hablar este punto.

I understand Paul, and thanks for speaking this point.

[Belle]

Posted by justoneman (here)
I posted the above then went back and saw Ulli had posted. In reading Ulli's post, I saw someone who looked at the whole situation as it happened, owned up to their own role in it, made a good case regarding why she reacted, clarified for me the underlying and foundational guideline about what this thread is supposed to be about, which was created by Ulli and I feel a huge sense of understanding now that I did not have when I stumbled into this village just yesterday.

justoneidea from justoneman

Thank you, justoneman, for this post....you said it much better than I could have.

I rarely pm...preferring to bring things out into the open than to backchannel...

So to ulli, I'm so sorry for any distress my words may have caused you. Thank you so much for your post...it could not have been easy to put it all out there. You have my utmost respect and love...truly an example for all of us to follow.

[Flash]

Posted by Paul (here)

Posted by ulli (here)
Araucaria and Flash did a brilliant job. What is it about French speakers, I wonder?

It's easier to baffle (both one's self and the listener) with B.S. when speaking in one's native tongue. If one looks at only those who have learned and are speaking in a second tongue (especially in the case of Americans, who like myself are notoriously monolingual), and if one considers only what those people get around to saying in a second tongue, there is a higher chance that they actually have something of substance, or at least of clear concept, to say.

I wish it were that. Our motivation must be just a bit higher. Otherwise, stupidity is shared in all justice, equally, across humanity. lol

Edit: I meant BS, well , almost [

[araucaria]

Thank you Ulli it's very kind of you to say so.

French is not the language of diplomacy for nothing. It is naturally so much more precise. A contract will read almost as normal French. Most English speakers trying for the same precision will either murder the language or end up facing litigation

[Flash]

Hey guys, we have a political party here with two head directing it. May be we could have two head for the thread, to relieve Ulli from overwork. Justoneman offered. What do you, villagers, do you think about this? And Ulli and Justoneman of course?

¤=[Post Update]=¤

Posted by araucaria (here)
Thank you Ulli it's very kind of you to say so.

French is not the language of diplomacy for nothing. It is naturally so much more precise. A contract will read almost as normal French. Most English speakers trying for the same precision will either murder the language or end up facing litigation

The proof being that : my answer was more diplomatic than yours araucaria. ROLF two diplomats, but one in France itself with its pride vs the quebecer humility.

[Chester]

Posted by Belle (here)

Posted by justoneman (here)
I posted the above then went back and saw Ulli had posted. In reading Ulli's post, I saw someone who looked at the whole situation as it happened, owned up to their own role in it, made a good case regarding why she reacted, clarified for me the underlying and foundational guideline about what this thread is supposed to be about, which was created by Ulli and I feel a huge sense of understanding now that I did not have when I stumbled into this village just yesterday.

justoneidea from justoneman

Thank you, justoneman, for this post....you said it much better than I could have.

I rarely pm...preferring to bring things out into the open than to backchannel...

So to ulli, I'm so sorry for any distress my words may have caused you. Thank you so much for your post...it could not have been easy to put it all out there. You have my utmost respect and love...truly an example for all of us to follow.

Thanks for taking the high road - I hope you accept my soon to be sent friendship request. Love Chester

[RunningDeer]

Posted by araucaria (here)
A dollar for your thoughts, 1inMany. I don't like to see you scrounging for loose change like that, and now you can regale us with another 50 posts

I think it's not quite so much about rules on this thread as about staying on topic. Amazingly for some, it IS possible to go off topic here even though we talk about whatever we like.

I'm just back from a game of tennis (about as rusty as the clay court ). We play to the rules, of course, but as we are not playing for points in the ATP rankings, we don't dispute every close linecall; if in any doubt we'd rather concede the point. This is how we interpret the rules amongst ourselves, and it would be 'off topic' for some new guy making up numbers to deviate significantly from that. There may be a slight disagreement with a call, but nothing winning the next point won't put right . You just relax, enjoy each other's company and help each other to make a decent game of it.

I think it's not quite so much about rules on this thread as about staying on topic. Amazingly for some, it IS possible to go off topic here even though we talk about whatever we like.

Staying on topic. Panic.... Noooooo!. A rule I cannot not live with....this body-mind does goofy, unpredictable things. That's my strength and my weakness. Nooooooo! Get me oudda here.

It's the diversity of shared opinions, feelings, methodologies, soaps, scythe, cats, power animals, funny photos, laughter, sadness, cheer, silliness that keeps me coming back. I'm ADD.

Like I said, I live in a PO box. It's nice living vicariously through other lives. (as pathetic as that sounds) That'll change soon enough. But in the meantime, I like all the goings on the Village. These last 7 months are the first time that I've given myself permission to just 'Be'. Not so much study, doing things right and perfect, just learning that others have the same goofy stuff that I do is refreshing.