TNR Happenings, March 14, 2022
The Tao of TNR
It has all been said in past TNR Happenings.
Words From a TNR Member
I am reading “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” right now. Believe it or not, this is “entertaining” reading for me. Usually, I read more educational-type stuff. No, not fun entertaining by any means. I have am often drawn to stories of overcoming. How in the world do people overcome the darkest and hardest of times? I am now aware enough that I see a common thread. It is a combination of hope and living in the moment. A laser-sharp focus that doesn’t let you go into those assuming the worst dark places.
This morning in the book the tattooist (a Jew) talks about how gypsies were moved into the block he was living in on his own. They arrived with families – including kids. He got to know them a bit and one woman reminded him of his mom, causing him to be emotional, recognizing that when he left his family he was so focused on their emotions, that he didn’t realize his own until this woman reminded him of his mom.
“Chiding himself for letting his situation get to him, Lale goes back outside and chases the children around, letting them catch him and climb all over him. Who needs trees when you have a Tatowierer to hang from? That evening he joins a group of men sitting outside. They share memories and stories of family life, captivated by the differences and similarities between their cultures. With the emotion of the day still running high, he says, “You know, in another life, I would have had nothing to do with you. I would probably have turned away from you, or crossed the street if I saw you walking toward me.”
There is silence for several moments before one of the men pipes up, “Hey, Tatowierer, in another life we would have had nothing to do with you either. We would have crossed the street first.”
I don’t know why this stuck out to me so profoundly this morning. Perhaps because the world is so divided in so many ways. Vaxed vs unvaxed. Russians vs. Ukraine. This woke culture seems to be against everything. Yesterday I read an article about how the Montreal Symphony Orchestra would not let a Russian pianist play because of a mob mentality towards ANTI-RUSSIAN.
Fuck we have lost sight of humanity.
Maybe that is why it stands out to me so much. I see that the Russian pianist is just another human being. An artist. A creator. Probably an incredible human caught up in the insanity of this world. He probably has more in common with most of us than not in common.
Maybe it hits home because I am on the other side of the fence. The fence of discrimination. I’m on the side of those being discriminated against. How does this even happen? How does humanity become so lost?
Maybe it takes this kind of darkness to see the light – or at least hopefully want to return to it. I see in my own journey how darkness has crept in so incrementally that it nearly took me out of the game. I could see in those dark times how it can be so easy for people to kill each other.
It is so easy to descend into that darkness.
No, my writings are not a cry for help. I am fine. Just observation as I process what tugs at my heart this morning. I suppose one could say that it is a huge reminder that we have work to do to bring light into the darkness…..for those that want to take it. We truly are one humanity, divided by so many invisible lines set out by what? Pride? There is something to contemplate there, isn’t there?!
From the Mind of Miyagi
If you have had more than a few Head-to-Heads and trainings then you know that what you have learned about yourself, your abilities, and your relationships is more insight than most people will ever have in their lifetimes. Most people believe they are inadequate or they don’t want to see what’s there. TNR training exposes and illuminates what was already there. Like an archeologist, I dig stuff up and bring it to the surface to show the person the hidden treasure. Exposing a person’s true talents, strengths, and abilities can be quite confrontational to their self-image of themselves. Then, like a detective, it gets all pieced back together. Will the person take this newly discovered treasure and incorporate it into their lives? Or will they submerge it again, play it safe, be a people pleaser, be a non-leader, and swallow their voice to be liked by society and family? What a price for humanity to pay.
TNR has always been about transformation, the journey of the hero. Deep inside of all of us is the hero archetype. During times of hysteria, mass persecution, or tyranny-like oppression like we find ourselves currently in, there are distinct anti-heroic cultural forces: don’t be a hero, let others tell you what to think, take one for the team, it’s easier to give in than to stand up, etc.
Why is there such resistance for us to take our places in history on the hero’s journey? Examples are acceptance, roles we play, avoiding confrontation, conformity, and going along with anything. Being a face-in-the-crowd is easy and takes no courage while your family, your business, and the world are deprived of your Divine Self and your once-in-a-lifetime abilities. If it was our last day on earth, many of us would say to the Creator, “If only I had used more of my gifts instead of allowing myself to be talked out of them.”
DCME Confidential
Question 1: I know of this case that is life or death and it doesn’t look like it is going to end well. Should I become involved or stay on the sidelines?
Answer: Tread lightly, my friend. Sure, you want to share your abilities and let them know that you can help. On the other side of the coin, I’ve seen families, marriages, and friendships destroyed when doctors have tried to help people who don’t want the help.
Question 2: I have a DCME/Level 2 who always acts bored with each session. They show up, but they don’t seem to be enjoying themselves.
Answer: At least they are showing up. I haven’t seen many people enjoy the process while going through it. After they complete it, things change. Enjoying the process is way down on the list of important boxes to check.
