*If you are uncomfortable with the word "hate," I invite you to reflect on your discomfort and what "hate" means in your life.
Baba Ram Dass, the prolific thinker and spiritual teacher, passed away a couple of weeks ago. As I read about his life, I was introduced to the following quote:
I have held this quote in my mind, wondering, who is someone in my life who deserves the compassionate and intentional application of this teaching?
During meditation this morning, I brought in a swell of compassion and wondered whom to extend it to today. And the first person to enter my mind was Donald Trump.
He needs no introduction. You know who he is. And if you know me, you know I am counting the days that he will leave the office of the president. He is a shadow across this country, and he is our collective shadow (in the Jungian sense).
I used my compassion and curiosity to wonder about him. What do I know about him? What do I notice about him? What do I believe?
I know that he lies - a lot.
I know that he hates those who don't support him in his lies and deceit. He tells us as much.
I notice that he thrives on the hate he receives, as he weaponizes it for his rallies and tweets.
I know that he reverses policies set by Obama that have protected the people and the Earth. I believe that these reversals are part of his hate.
I notice that he has never mentioned his mother. I notice that I know nothing about her.
I notice that his words are fragmented, sometimes incoherent. I know that this indicates the disorganization of the mind.
I think that he was abused as a child. I can't say what type of abuse he endured. I just have an inner knowing that he faced abuse.
I believe that he is a traumatized individual with very little resolution.
I believe he is an injured person, as are his supporters, both government officials, and citizens.
I know that people who continue to live their traumas experience horrendous symptoms that can manifest in extreme personalities and behaviors.
If we were to apply the analogy of the body to the mind, we might view and treat him differently. If his trauma was physically manifested, he would be walking around with open wounds, sores, abscesses, infections. We would call for immediate medical attention. He would be hospitalized for some amount of time. He would be given medications to heal his body and would receive other necessary treatments. He would be handled according to the Hippocratic Oath. He would not be allowed to work until his body healed.
Instead, we've placed an injured man into the most powerful position in the world. Placing an injured person into power has hurt this country. I think we can repair some of the damage. But it will take all of us to mend this country.
The shadow he casts is clear to me.
What does this shadow mean for me?
How am I injured?
What unresolved traumas am I walking around with that affect my ability to hold power?
What leads me to hate others?
How do I ignore people in my life?
How am I disorganized?
How has my power been taken from me?
What does this shadow mean for you?
None of these observations are an attempt to negate or excuse the harm he has imparted onto the people, animals, plants, and land of the US and around the world. I believe he needs to be held accountable for his actions of hate and harm. These observations are merely the result of me being curious about why he treats the world the way he does.