Coward or Hero?
WATCH PARTY: The contradiction of Desmond Doss
Dear Reader;
One of the greatest stressors of our time is a kind of growing cognitive dissonance, a creeping sense of am I going crazy because a world that used to make sense now leaves us not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
We may find we are caught between rage-full activist calls to action and the popular notion that if we stay away from social media and just hunker down to meditate, everything will be fine.
Relationships with loved ones are splintering, with opponents digging in to absolute rights and wrongs, and when we do dare to go online and check in, every day looks more and more as if an episode of South Park mated with Don’t Look Up and had a baby.
How do we find a middle ground when confronted with so much oppositional and contrasting energy? How do we stay true to our higher nature while every day we walk in human form upon an embattled planet? Could it be that this is the most important question of our times? Is it possible that, as Christ himself said, "For this purpose I was born"?
In our Sunday morning End of Karma Inner Circle we are studying processes of transmuting the shadow, including how to hold two opposing realities in a way that aligns with our highest nature. Together we discuss transmission excerpts from my upcoming book, Monster Most Feared, a collection of received writings on the subject of The Shadow. We share healing processes, teachings, and music and film as expressions of frequency that shape our world. You are most welcome to join the Circle as every week we open up new questions for discussion.
On Thursday, April 2, local members will gather at Farmacia Health Bar, 2096 Queen Street East, Toronto, for a watch party of Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson.
The film Hacksaw Ridge tells the remarkable true story of Desmond Thomas Doss. A United States Army corporal, he was a conscientious objector during WWII. Raised in a devout Seventh-day Adventist family, he found himself torn between his foundational belief that he could not/would not kill, and his desire to serve and support his country. He was a simple, loving, principled man.
Doss faced extreme opposition and harassment not only from his superiors but from his fellow soldiers who, rooted in their own beliefs, could only understand him as a coward. He was considered a danger to himself and the regiment. Doss proved everyone wrong when his request to serve without a weapon was granted and he went to war, not to kill, but to save lives.
In the Battle of Okinawa, Doss single-handedly rescued approximately 75 soldiers from enemy fire, often praying for the strength to carry one more wounded soldier to safety. Seldom do we see such a pure example of the willingness to stand between worlds, and yet Doss represents a central quandary of our times.
How do we uphold peace in a violent conflict, without leaving the difficult work to others? How do we deal with powerful dark forces without being pulled into their frequencies of hate and harm? What balance do we choose between retreat from material horrors and the need to face an important physical reality?
These questions land particularly hard on the Sensitives of our world, the ones whose cellular memories still include a taste of Heaven, other-worldly realms beyond the cruel sufferings of this earthly plane. Such souls are sorely tempted to exempt themselves from participation in a darkness too painful to bear. The pure-hearted may say that their most important language is that of vibration, yet still fall prey to by-passing a powerful human opportunity. This is fodder for a great conversation!
Hacksaw Ridge premiered at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2016, where it received a 10-minute standing ovation. It was named one of the Top 10 Films of 2016 by both the American Film Institute and National Board of Review.
Join our watch party to view and then discuss this remarkable film together, while sipping on one of Steve’s amazing health drinks or a glass of wine.
All are welcome. No fee to attend but we do ask that you purchase a beverage to support our host. Bring an open heart, and perhaps some tissues.
Aaaand, a gentle reminder that my next author book signing event is on Saturday afternoon, April 11, at the Bay/Bloor location in Toronto. It makes a huge difference when supporters arrive to show interest in the book. You don’t need to buy a second copy, just bring the one you have. You would be amazed at how a small crowd around the table can draw in new readers!
much love! Adi