Guerrilla Nature

An image from this day: This photograph was taken at a place that will never be forgotten. It was a favourite spot of our previously featured Balinese creators, who would meet there with other spiritually investigative friends. The waterfall nearby is a location where ceremonies are held. There is a sense of deep calm here; at least until the friends decide to start playing tricks and getting up to mischief, which is not uncommon and can be highly amusing, whilst being harmlessly disruptive to the overall sense of tranquility.

Thursday 12^th March 2020

It is a commonly accepted paradigm that suppression of emotion is directly related to psychological disturbance. As mentioned, it is also widely accepted that poor psychological health is directly related to physical illness.

There are inconsistencies between the myriad presentations made by the symptoms that indicate such conditions and, as the development of these two areas of study progresses, the relationships between them appear more complex. As a general observation, even with no proof of causality, we can confirm that when mental health suffers, physical health is likely to do the same. Of course, there is plenty of evidence that the causality can go either way.

Practising mindfulness has gained popularity, which seems to be because it is a progressive way of dealing with potential triggers in an increasingly stressful world. Some are keen to recognise their triggers and adjust their behaviour accordingly. Simon Parke wrote a book called “The Enneagram”, in which he states repeatedly a warning about guides. They can only do so much to help (see today’s quote, below). This brings to memory the hilarious Monty Python film, The Life of Brian, in which the protagonist tells his devoted followers, “You don’t need me. You don’t NEED anyone. You are all individuals!”

“Yes!” They chant in unison, “We are all individuals!”

Oh, the irony. The fascinating concepts of irony and paradoxes can help to illustrate other points that will come up further on in this discourse. However, enough digression has occurred on the current point to widen our view sufficiently before the explanation comes full circle. The reason for the mention of guides is that it is once again helpful to refer to Michael Alan Singer’s “The Untethered Soul”.

The word “trigger” has entered the English vernacular over the last few years and is now standard parlance among the general public. This shows that our collective awareness is increasing. Now that we are aware of the triggers people can develop, why stop there? It’s a great step, but why would it be the conclusion? We don’t need to have those triggers, any more than we need anyone else.

Some people might read that comparative statement and make all sorts of arguments against it. Are we all to become robots, devoid of feelings, who live our lives in solitude? To make such a suggestion would be to demonstrate that one had entirely missed the point. It might even be reasonable to propose that it could be interpreted as the dissenter avoiding the point intentionally; often, when confronted with a general truth, someone who doesn’t wish to apply that truth to themselves will attempt to repudiate it by elaborating an opposite with which to compare it, as a sort of derisive diversionary tactic.

We know that we construct our worlds largely in our minds, according to or preferences. For people who unconsciously perceive the integrity of their existence as being reliant on their prejudices, the prospect of eliminating their presuppositions can seem terrifying. This is where we all start.

© copyright Guerrilla Nature

This day’s featured creator: Euan C is a brilliant being in myriad ways. His abilities with visual art are demonstrated in all sorts of forms, from packaging design for clients to canvasses of pure self-expression. Not limited to visual arts, Euan is also a dab hand with a pair of decks, exhibiting a style that is both distinctive and impressive (this can be heard on the first two Guerrilla Nature EPs). There are plenty more collaborative efforts lined up with this man, whom it is an honour to claim as a long-time friend.

A track for this day: Nitin Sawhney – Letting Go (single on Outcaste Records, 2000; taken from album Beyond Skin by Nitin Sawhney on Outcaste records, 1999)

A quote for this day: “I am an inadequate guide and would wish for you a better one. Having said that, we must beware of guides! Guides will always let us down at the point we most need them. This is painful and frustrating but must be – there are some places we can only go alone.” – Simon Parke (The Enneagram, White Crow Books, 2012)

Above: Sunny This Position blog entry 2020-03-12

Below: previous and following entries or back to Prose