Re: truth against the world Searles Sun Mar 9 10:30:23 2003 fhionamacg wrote,*br*: Greetings and Blessings to All*br*:*br*: My name is Fhiona, and I am new to this *br*: community*p*Many welcomes before you Fhiona. From your own posting, I think you will be a vital and enlivening part of our discussions here.*p*:*br*: I read with interest,the posting Truth against the *br*: World, because, I am currently faced with *br*: re-defining my own truth, on a couple of different *br*: issues, and levels. Ah! When you are not looking, *br*: the Gods will force you to grow, whether you want *br*: it or not! I am hoping that the community here, *br*: can assist me with some insight, wisdom, helpful *br*: hints, suggestions and just plain old commonsense- *p**br*One of the first things that any Druid or person should do IMO is to find their own inner truth. This means knowing how one is without outside influence, as well as understanding what our nature is when dealing with inner needs as well as outer pressures. It's wise to seek opinions and advice from others but the final decision will have to be integrated within your own self/psyche.*p*The gods are most often moore aware of our inner needs and truth than we are ourselves. In my own personal experience, I find that the part of me that resides within my brain-case and head is the most limited part of me. When I meditate or go beyond these constraints, giving up prejudice and bias, I can stand on the shoulders of giants and deities. As Samuel Jackson says in the movie, "Pulp Fiction" my eyes are opened. Of course, sometimes, we have to close our eyes and dream to see what our inner or greater selves are trying to teach us.*p*: I have been active in a local community for some *br*: years now, which has been a very fulfilling *br*: experience...at times trying, but fulfilling *br*: nonetheless. *p*That's the way of the world isn't it?*p*: An opportunity has dropped in my lap now, a number *br*: of times (5 to be exact) and because I have an *br*: uneasy feeling about it, I have let it go...and *br*: yet, once again it appears. As I am a somewhat *br*: superstitious individual, and this keeps dropping *br*: in my lap, I take it as a sign that this is the *br*: direction I am now to go in.This new direction *br*: involves providing resources and spiritual *br*: guidance in a pagan (mostly Wiccan) ministry in a *br*: prison full of predominantly sexual offenders.*p*I personally think that prison ministry is very worthwhile but not an undertaking to be entered into lightly or without preparation. We're talking about a group of people whose social mores are on the edge of what is considered normal and who also have plenty of time to focus on ways to manipulate others psychologically, socially and emotionally (mainly because their means to physically do this are normally controlled by their guards and the system itself). My thinking about sex offenders is that they have a powerful psychological driving energy behind their actions. They are proobably the most devious of the lot, but also probably those most in need of psychological counseling and help.*p*:*br*: I understand that the letter of the law, is not *br*: the spirit of the law. We strive for excellence; *br*: we uphold the law. Traditionally, when a crime *br*: occurred, the law was not punitive in most cases, *br*: it was restorative and restitutional.*br*:*br*: So, I guess what I am trying to understand, or *br*: come to grips with, is*br*: what is a druid's role and right action in this *br*: type of situation? *p*A Druid's role is what a Druid's truth tells them it should be. In the past, Druids were the members of society that maintained the social order through scholarship, teaching and ritual actions. They were also those who were sought to help with those that were afflicted by spirits and other influences. Some of the tools used in this work was a fundamental understanding of the ways that the senses affect people's perceptions and reactions to the world around them. Simply put, Druids studied what makes people tick and developed techniques to change and influence these characteristics. In this way, Druids were natural philosophers, as well as trained psychologists and even hypno-therapists. These are areas where a Druid going into a prison ministry would be well advised to focus and to perform intensive practical studies.*p*As a minimum and a start, I'd recommend that you take some courses in personal counseling for others and maybe for those who are incarcerated. I'd think that almost any local college or university would offer these at night in their extended studies curriculum. Understanding the basics of human nature and the wyas that it can be influenced within controlled environments will go a lot further toward giving you the advice that you seek than anything I (or others) could tell you. Doing and learning are much to be preferred over being told or talking about issues.*p*:*br*: For instance, is time served considered *br*: restitutional? What about personal responsibility? *br*: As sexual crimes are crimes of violence and power, *br*: and in general,though not always, crimes against *br*: women, what would draw this type of offender to a *br*: Goddess based religion? What is the motivation *br*: here? *p*It could be that theyare attracte dto a religion that has more females in it, as well as nudity. It could also be that they are attracted to it to escape from their present realities. It might be that they are genuinely seeking an alternative to the traditional religious systems that seem to have failed them It's good to question why each and every one of these individuals are involved in such activities. They may well see such religious as a fertile field to be exploited, though perhaps I am overly pessimistic in my attitudes about their motivations. A Druid would do well to consider the extremesoof all the possibilities before seeking to find the balance point or driving force behind or supporting any situation. This is very true in respect to any situation that could be dangerous physically as well as emotioonally.*p**br*: How would this type of individual begin to *br*: recover his or her personal honor? *p*Such an individual would have to demonstrate a fundamental realization of why their behavior was wrong as well as why they were influenced oor motivated to do what they've been convicted of doing. They'd have to learn techniques that are known to assist people with fundamental emotional and physical problems (like is don ein 12 step programs an AA). They'd also have to establish a long-term linkage to such programs on a continuing and frequent basis. They have a problem and it won't go away easily. Repeat offenders are the rule rather than the exception I'd think. Society also doesn't make it easy for these people. Basically, the work of curing or controllingthe basic flaw/problem will be difficult at best and almost impossible unless there is a genine desire on the part of the offender to change. The work is not one that has a high success ratio to failure, but it is the successes that need to occur if any of these people are to have a better/normal life. Unfortunately, most of us don't learn our basic lessons very well in a single lifetime and we are also curtsed with a long term memory problem between lifetimes. Work in these areas is something that is not well researched or taught in the modern university systems. It seems to be a great area for Druids to step to the front and provide society what it is lacking on a disciplined and very real basis.*p*:How does prison *br*: ministry fit in with druid beliefs in general. *br*:*p*It fits into Druidic belief and practice very well. Druids are responsible for the health and safety of their people through education and ministry, as well as through advising and performing good works.*p*: What do the Brehon Laws, Crith Gabla, and Wisdom *br*: Triads have to say about this matter?*br*:*p*They have a lot to say on this matterand perhaps we can discuss their understandings in a continuing dialog beyond the introductory basics of this initial quiry?*p*: I have a very odd feeling that by being pulled in *br*: this direction, it is more for my own personal *br*: spiritual growth, rather than any small benefit or *br*: comfort my presence might impart to the inmates. *p**br*Everything we do is for our personal and spiritual development. This is true even when we think it is for a physical, emotional or mental need IMO.*p*:*br*: The second issue I am faced with, concerns a new *br*: member, who is a transgendered individual. (Male *br*: to female) I have made it very clear to all *br*: parties concerned that we will be welcoming and *br*: supportive to her. She seems to be having a *br*: difficult time as she only recently moved to our *br*: city. I am wondering how to be more supportive of *br*: her? Although I have not had the chance to speak *br*: to her privately, just on appearances, it looks *br*: like she is maybe undergoing hormone therapy, and *br*: doing a real life therapy stint...I have an *br*: undergrad in psych, and have been refreshing my *br*: memory regarding transgender individuals. People *br*: have been very kind toward her- I am just anxious *br*: that she feel welcome. We are in the heart of the *br*: bible belt, and redneck country. So, there is not *br*: a lot of support here for her- what gay community *br*: there is, is extremely underground.*p*I think that dealing with your own issues first will allow you to be more truly welcoming to others in any situation. Even just admitting where your areas of unease exist to yourself or anyone else is a good first step in being able to support the needs and to ease the problems of others.*br*Being a friend or at least beinga person who has fundamental human kindness would I'm sure be welcomed by this individual.*p*:*br*: I suppose, my uneasiness stems from being placed *br*: in these situations, which are unfamiliar to *br*: me...and maybe, having to identify and confront my *br*: own issues, even though I have not been able to *br*: truly identify what those issues might be...*br*:*br*: Any suggestions?*br*: What would a druid do in these situations?*p*A Druid would know themselves, the truth of how things work, and act to bring harmony to the people, the community and the world. A Druid would seek education and understandingin all the forces that could come into play in matters of personal dynamics, law, economy, psychology and physical realities. You seem to be attempting to do all of those things though my window on what you are doing and experiencing is limited by what you have revealed in this message as well as by my own experiences and education.*p**br*:*br*: I look forward to hearing from you all, and hope *br*: that I have not been too forward, or out of line *br*: in asking too much!*br*:*p*I think what you have asked is what Druids expect to give of themselves for those who can benefit.*p*: Beannachadh agus slainte*br*: Fhiona*p**br*Síocháin agus Shonas,*p*Searles*p*P.S. I'm also re-posting this messge to the message board as a new thread since the archived posts don't appear in the Current messages even when they are a *current* reply. truth against the world fhionamacg 1111 Sun - Mar 9 - 02:32am 68.62.167.177