I really enjoyed reading this, and other essays of yours too! I think partly where I get tripped up is thinking that inner authority is synonymous with being right and/or being an inner oppressor, which I am always afraid to be because I feel our efforts to be right have been so destructive. But maybe I’m mistaken, it’s not about being right so much as being included of its own accord. There will be mistakes and missteps but that’s to be expected and can be re-worked. It’s as if the inner “authority” is really the inner “playmate”, a lover who is curious and wants to explore. Thanks for helping me learn these subtle distinctions.
Mmm I love this thoughtful and nuanced comment Samantha, thank you. It's a good point to raise. You are right, inner authority could be confused with the inner critic or other negative mental voices. For me inner authority feels like a flame or a power inside that knows what's right (for me). It makes me feel brighter and stronger rather than diminished (which is how the inner critic makes us feel). It's like knowing who I am beyond the internal and external voices. But yes I think it can also be the curious joyful 'us' that knows what we love. We all automatically love doing what we came here to do. It's natural. I feel like having inner authority is the difference between writing our own script for our lives, and having it written for us (by society/parents/conditioning/culture etc).
This is amazing—yes. I think part of my questioning of it is part of my “colonial” conditioning. So now I have to include my questioning into my practice of discernment—of learning what is for me and what isn’t. Such a wild ride this is. Thanks for being a light in the dark :)
I kind of doubt this exists in Europe or the UK but here in the States there are signs and bumper stickers reading “Freedom isn’t Free”. In the American context this means mostly that you have to war and kill other people in order to have freedom. And each time I see those words “Freedom isn’t Free” I think to myself, actually it is. Freedom is free. And expressed beautifully by you. Gracias.
Always enjoy your articles. I built my first earthbag house at 65 in 2017. It’s still a work in progress but I get so grounded when I put my two months I have available to work on it. You are on your enlightening journey. You have been gifted with much wisdom not only for the outer material world but the most important inner world. I’m unable at this time to follow with paid subscription but I will follow all you publish here. Blessings.
Thank you dear Margaret for this lovely comment. Yes natural building is so grounding it's true. What a great achievement! Do send a photo of your mud house if you can.
I really enjoyed reading this, and other essays of yours too! I think partly where I get tripped up is thinking that inner authority is synonymous with being right and/or being an inner oppressor, which I am always afraid to be because I feel our efforts to be right have been so destructive. But maybe I’m mistaken, it’s not about being right so much as being included of its own accord. There will be mistakes and missteps but that’s to be expected and can be re-worked. It’s as if the inner “authority” is really the inner “playmate”, a lover who is curious and wants to explore. Thanks for helping me learn these subtle distinctions.
Mmm I love this thoughtful and nuanced comment Samantha, thank you. It's a good point to raise. You are right, inner authority could be confused with the inner critic or other negative mental voices. For me inner authority feels like a flame or a power inside that knows what's right (for me). It makes me feel brighter and stronger rather than diminished (which is how the inner critic makes us feel). It's like knowing who I am beyond the internal and external voices. But yes I think it can also be the curious joyful 'us' that knows what we love. We all automatically love doing what we came here to do. It's natural. I feel like having inner authority is the difference between writing our own script for our lives, and having it written for us (by society/parents/conditioning/culture etc).
This is amazing—yes. I think part of my questioning of it is part of my “colonial” conditioning. So now I have to include my questioning into my practice of discernment—of learning what is for me and what isn’t. Such a wild ride this is. Thanks for being a light in the dark :)
Ahhhh yes. Such good stuff, Atulya.
I kind of doubt this exists in Europe or the UK but here in the States there are signs and bumper stickers reading “Freedom isn’t Free”. In the American context this means mostly that you have to war and kill other people in order to have freedom. And each time I see those words “Freedom isn’t Free” I think to myself, actually it is. Freedom is free. And expressed beautifully by you. Gracias.
Thank you for this David. Also beautifully put. Freedom is free.
Cant wait to see where that spark of inner inspiration takes our Mud Witch next.... Adventures always await those who dare to search them out.
He he, yes, they certainly do! Thank you.
Always enjoy your articles. I built my first earthbag house at 65 in 2017. It’s still a work in progress but I get so grounded when I put my two months I have available to work on it. You are on your enlightening journey. You have been gifted with much wisdom not only for the outer material world but the most important inner world. I’m unable at this time to follow with paid subscription but I will follow all you publish here. Blessings.
Thank you dear Margaret for this lovely comment. Yes natural building is so grounding it's true. What a great achievement! Do send a photo of your mud house if you can.
Thanks for the restack Liz!