Hopefully this won’t sound trite but with your perspective and awareness we could say that you were already in a place to nourish planet connections and community connections and be your best self. Or at least understand what your best self is and walk in that direction. But this crisis of jumbled crazy that we are in may be what is needed to shake loose some of those people who were utterly asleep and not on that path. So the very chaos and dysfunctionality and numbness that dismays you may be exactly what is needed now. And you are needed to model a more heartfelt wholesome upbeat connection to the planet and community. So you cry “what’s wrong with you why can’t you see” but actually that was always there, it was just covered up by nicey nicey and now it’s exposed. You are in the right place at the right time. Taking in the chaos and struggling with it in your heart seems to be your job right now. Modeling the openhearted response seems to be your contribution, among others of course. So all is well. I don’t mean to be trite.
Phew, this describes so clearly the uneasy tension that has become a constant companion amidst the backdrop of this maddeningly chaotic and vapid cultural milieu. There are certainly moments when the allure of blissful ignorance sounds its siren’s call but I could never willingly choose empty delusion over the uncompromising search for truth—I have a feeling it’s not in your nature either. What you have expressed is the heavy burden that all seekers carry, which is no small weight in a culture that seems hell bent on destroying the very concept of shared reality. Still, I find solace in the understanding that there is no more sublime rebellion than to stubbornly insist on eternal wisdom. Ultimately, truth is immortal.
Thank you for helping to keep that fire burning—you’re not alone. And never underestimate the power of a good, long walk first thing in the morning. Whether you know it or not, you’ve been coming on many of mine through the form of the podcast and I’m so grateful to have had you along on the journey!
Wow, thank you for your gift of weaving with words of such incisiveness and grounding. Will be feeling into these reflections more in my next morning walk!Honored to know I’ve been a part of your journey as well & look forward to many more “shared walks” together ~
Thank you for portraying so honestly and vividly the overwhelm that comes with seeing and caring in these disturbed and disturbing times. I hope it helped to write as it helps me to read. The image and thought you leave us here of the deeply attuned life in forest that feeds the oceanic world touches me deeply and speaks to grounding in a way of being rooted in care and connection . Not rushing to be everywhere but held and activated in the embodiment of place 🙏
Yes, yes. Thank you for reflecting this back to me in a way that helps me deepen into this all further. Yes to being "held and activated in the embodiment of place" <3
Thanks for this insightful post. You continue to be a guiding light for us by courageously sharing your journey.
And yes, I also wonder why are people not hearing what I’m hearing? Where is their heart and conscience.
The answer is usually that they (we) are in the grip of modernity/capitalism/colonialism, unable to break free.
I’ve had a similar ‘overwhelmed’ feeling recently.
So much that I’m pressing pause on my conscient podcast (but not a calm presence) until spring equinox 2026 in order to breathe a bit and smell the flowers (or more likely the cold fresh air of cross country skiing here in Ottawa).
Your reference to a ‘creaky boat amidst choppy, disorienting waves’ made me think of the ‘Rescue Boat’ section of Hospicing Modernity where Vanessa tell this story :
‘We are more like a small rescue and clean up boat with some unconventional equipment. Although we are constantly building and testing new tools, we do not have the equipment for all weather conditions nor the capacity to respond to every type of distress signal. We might be abel to help those who are treading water or facing the prospect of a shipwreck only in certain circumstances. That is why we do not see what we do as universally relevant or applicable and that is why scaling up is not an intentional goal. ‘
Also, and big yes to ‘re-weave webs of attunement that might have been previously severed so that we can relearn to feel the subtle pulls and vibrations from each other even more.’
Thank you, Claude. Please do breathe and smell the flowers and enjoy this transitioning of seasons over there in Ottawa! Thank you for doing your best, and continuing to hold it all.
Hopefully this won’t sound trite but with your perspective and awareness we could say that you were already in a place to nourish planet connections and community connections and be your best self. Or at least understand what your best self is and walk in that direction. But this crisis of jumbled crazy that we are in may be what is needed to shake loose some of those people who were utterly asleep and not on that path. So the very chaos and dysfunctionality and numbness that dismays you may be exactly what is needed now. And you are needed to model a more heartfelt wholesome upbeat connection to the planet and community. So you cry “what’s wrong with you why can’t you see” but actually that was always there, it was just covered up by nicey nicey and now it’s exposed. You are in the right place at the right time. Taking in the chaos and struggling with it in your heart seems to be your job right now. Modeling the openhearted response seems to be your contribution, among others of course. So all is well. I don’t mean to be trite.
Not trite at all, I appreciate your thoughtful words and affirmations. Thank you for seeing me and for all that you co-sense and all that you are. 🌸🌈✨
agree.
Phew, this describes so clearly the uneasy tension that has become a constant companion amidst the backdrop of this maddeningly chaotic and vapid cultural milieu. There are certainly moments when the allure of blissful ignorance sounds its siren’s call but I could never willingly choose empty delusion over the uncompromising search for truth—I have a feeling it’s not in your nature either. What you have expressed is the heavy burden that all seekers carry, which is no small weight in a culture that seems hell bent on destroying the very concept of shared reality. Still, I find solace in the understanding that there is no more sublime rebellion than to stubbornly insist on eternal wisdom. Ultimately, truth is immortal.
Thank you for helping to keep that fire burning—you’re not alone. And never underestimate the power of a good, long walk first thing in the morning. Whether you know it or not, you’ve been coming on many of mine through the form of the podcast and I’m so grateful to have had you along on the journey!
Wow, thank you for your gift of weaving with words of such incisiveness and grounding. Will be feeling into these reflections more in my next morning walk!Honored to know I’ve been a part of your journey as well & look forward to many more “shared walks” together ~
Thank you for portraying so honestly and vividly the overwhelm that comes with seeing and caring in these disturbed and disturbing times. I hope it helped to write as it helps me to read. The image and thought you leave us here of the deeply attuned life in forest that feeds the oceanic world touches me deeply and speaks to grounding in a way of being rooted in care and connection . Not rushing to be everywhere but held and activated in the embodiment of place 🙏
Yes, yes. Thank you for reflecting this back to me in a way that helps me deepen into this all further. Yes to being "held and activated in the embodiment of place" <3
Thanks for this insightful post. You continue to be a guiding light for us by courageously sharing your journey.
And yes, I also wonder why are people not hearing what I’m hearing? Where is their heart and conscience.
The answer is usually that they (we) are in the grip of modernity/capitalism/colonialism, unable to break free.
I’ve had a similar ‘overwhelmed’ feeling recently.
So much that I’m pressing pause on my conscient podcast (but not a calm presence) until spring equinox 2026 in order to breathe a bit and smell the flowers (or more likely the cold fresh air of cross country skiing here in Ottawa).
Your reference to a ‘creaky boat amidst choppy, disorienting waves’ made me think of the ‘Rescue Boat’ section of Hospicing Modernity where Vanessa tell this story :
‘We are more like a small rescue and clean up boat with some unconventional equipment. Although we are constantly building and testing new tools, we do not have the equipment for all weather conditions nor the capacity to respond to every type of distress signal. We might be abel to help those who are treading water or facing the prospect of a shipwreck only in certain circumstances. That is why we do not see what we do as universally relevant or applicable and that is why scaling up is not an intentional goal. ‘
Also, and big yes to ‘re-weave webs of attunement that might have been previously severed so that we can relearn to feel the subtle pulls and vibrations from each other even more.’
Such good advice.
Best
claude
Thank you, Claude. Please do breathe and smell the flowers and enjoy this transitioning of seasons over there in Ottawa! Thank you for doing your best, and continuing to hold it all.