28 thoughts on “The Weatherman and the Shadowboxer”
jim-said:
“People like to start with an idea of what things are going to look like. Even if it’s wrong”. Excellent share. The rest of this reminds of my brother and me. We grew up together, but when he talks of our childhood it makes me wonder if I was even there. He remembers all the worst, and I only recall the good. I can’t argue with him about it. It is set.
It’s quite fascinating how everyone constructs their own version of reality. Many people bend and squash it out of shape in order to fit with what they wish to be the case, others cannot bear to think on what happened and so do the same, and in both cases it is quite real, they may be fooling themselves, sometimes, but whatever the versions, they are technically valid if the person truly believes said version to be true. I have first hand experience of your viewpoint and your brother’s differing so much. I’m glad you enjoyed the film Jim. Thank you for the visit and the watch, lots of people can’t be bothered with videos and just click ‘like’.
I’ll have to explore that “everyone constructs their own versions” part. I wonder if that is in some of the “no free will” zone? Maybe they bend and squash because they have no choice. You have an idea.on that? Anyone?
It’s impossible to know I would have thought. It all starts getting truly mind and eye boggling when you think about it, and think some more and then delve into that thought. I’d like to think there is choice, and I can see how easily people would automatically create realities that they might not have done if certain experiences hadn’t had such a strong effect upon them, abuse being an obvious example. There comes a point where one can escape from the straits of ‘no choice’, from repeated thought patterns that are self defeating or harmful and keep them trapped in effect, forever living the unhappiness and pain that in itself as a physical experience lasted for a finite amount of time. We have to process, we have to learn and accept hurt and misery, later there’s a choice to turn take that muck and grime and sit at the spinning wheel, turning away from the dark, learning from it then opening the windows, letting the light in. This is often achieved by helping others who have had similar experiences. Eventually one can re evaluate past experiences and see them in ways that others do. It isn’t about right or wrong as I said, our chosen reality, though it can speak volumes about the kind of person you are.
I’m never sure I make sense when I attempt to explain my view of the brain, but I always give it a good shot. smiles
“You can’t tell someone they’re wrong about their own memories.” Having come from an abusive home, I can attest to this. But also one’s adult memories are those superimposed on the child’s like slides under a microscope, so it gets tricky to recall things with ‘absolute clarity.’ Still, as is related in “His body was remembering. So he didn’t have to,” yes. Bodies hold memories, particularly in the soft tissue. Kinesiology is based on muscle memory. These impressions were cast in the plaster of the child’s body, once again. What, then, remains real/true in a body containing regenerated cells over 30, 40 years? It depends on what we do in that interim as to the severity or duration of these ‘original memories.’ Loads of deep tissue bodywork really does help. As does mindfulness and learning to be still inside. Sure, it’s work. But for me, it was the most important work of my life. Getting free. Being free. Liberation, in a spiritual sense, begins here.
As to leaving behind one’s lineage/family, I had less struggle than many. Abused children are called survivors. I went from surviving that terror to surviving on my own in the world. But the second gave me some choices. I went toward that particular light. And many miles away from that family. The fallout was far easier to deal with than being triggered full-time. Having my wounds ripped open over and over again like Prometheus chained to a rock. Grief happens. Choices are made.
I will not disparage anything an abuse survivor remembers, because I would castigate my own self. Only it’s also important to realize that at some point, reliving these experiences only continues perpetuating the pattern of empowering the abusor/s. To claim one’s own power, then, demands that we ‘show up,’ as is offered in this poignant video. And how to even begin? “To hear the truth, you’ve just got to stand still.” Yes. Quaking, being mindful of the mind’s clever ways to derail, one moment, breath, day at a time. It’s a journey, this life. From what place to where we are going is like looking at the landscape through a tall glass of cool water. I’m always in favor of settling into the painting; constructed, of course, by my own hand.
Thank you for that Bela, I know you have first hand experience of dark events, and I agree with you about others, often parents, imprinting their own versions of reality upon children, even grown children, to suppress or alter the past as they wish it to be. The body, it does remember yes. Mindfulness is a fantastic tool for people to break out of negative patterns that they have almost become comfortable in. They practice being unhappy again and again and don’t realise that’s what is going on. As you say ‘perpetuating the pattern’ – perfectly put. How we deal with the truth is key, and then we’re back to which truth, which reality, well you have to pick one and deal with it. Humans are such complex interesting animals. More thanks, in heaps dear ❤
Esme can you pop over to my site and give me a new follow? I lost my whole site the other day, and I’m starting anew. Please bring your cape. I am happy to have fallen into This great group! It wouldn’t be the same without you. Jim
A beautiful and powerful film, Esme. I’d expect no less here, of course. You do serve us up some gems. It’s been a few days now since I watched it, but I remember loving the creative force of it first of all–the textures and tones, the geometries, the clashing and the quiet. There’s the sense that we’re victims of history in some sense, and then there’s the sense that transformation is possible. That we’re born with it maybe. And so much happens without our sitting at the wheel, and yet there’s some choosing on our part I do believe. Some quiet acceptance of grace that is available to us. A coming-to-terms, pattern-shifting flash of light that we finally get down to, the emergence of what was kept safe for so long…
I had begun watching this, then saved it for savoring. My gentlest thanks to you and to Swarn for sharing this powerful piece with us. Shadows can become more real, longer and larger than the body that creates them. For me the film served to underscore my mind’s refusal to recall grammar-school memories — wide swaths of nothing, ever so remarkable because my childhood memories outside the school walls are replete, rich and detailed. Lisa has rich and rewarding memories of the teachers who guided, protected and kept her sane. Home, on the other hand, was a horror of abuse: starvation, violence, sexual abuse and confinement. Her mind had not shut them away like the steel trap that my mind refuses to hand over to post-traumatic processing.
Thank you for this Bill, and for watching the piece, I think it’s an incredibly evocative piece. How vastly our experiences can differ, yet still we find a kinship of sorts, you, I, Lisa and the others who have commented or liked the film, within it’s walls. Sending extra love to Lisa. Where we feel safe is quite critical, something often overlooked by the powers that be, whether they be teachers, parents or beyond.
Esme sat with Lisa and Bill looking at snow fall upon the Cloud
“People like to start with an idea of what things are going to look like. Even if it’s wrong”. Excellent share. The rest of this reminds of my brother and me. We grew up together, but when he talks of our childhood it makes me wonder if I was even there. He remembers all the worst, and I only recall the good. I can’t argue with him about it. It is set.
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It’s quite fascinating how everyone constructs their own version of reality. Many people bend and squash it out of shape in order to fit with what they wish to be the case, others cannot bear to think on what happened and so do the same, and in both cases it is quite real, they may be fooling themselves, sometimes, but whatever the versions, they are technically valid if the person truly believes said version to be true. I have first hand experience of your viewpoint and your brother’s differing so much. I’m glad you enjoyed the film Jim. Thank you for the visit and the watch, lots of people can’t be bothered with videos and just click ‘like’.
Esme Cloud sat with Jim upon the Cloud
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I’ll have to explore that “everyone constructs their own versions” part. I wonder if that is in some of the “no free will” zone? Maybe they bend and squash because they have no choice. You have an idea.on that? Anyone?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s impossible to know I would have thought. It all starts getting truly mind and eye boggling when you think about it, and think some more and then delve into that thought. I’d like to think there is choice, and I can see how easily people would automatically create realities that they might not have done if certain experiences hadn’t had such a strong effect upon them, abuse being an obvious example. There comes a point where one can escape from the straits of ‘no choice’, from repeated thought patterns that are self defeating or harmful and keep them trapped in effect, forever living the unhappiness and pain that in itself as a physical experience lasted for a finite amount of time. We have to process, we have to learn and accept hurt and misery, later there’s a choice to turn take that muck and grime and sit at the spinning wheel, turning away from the dark, learning from it then opening the windows, letting the light in. This is often achieved by helping others who have had similar experiences. Eventually one can re evaluate past experiences and see them in ways that others do. It isn’t about right or wrong as I said, our chosen reality, though it can speak volumes about the kind of person you are.
I’m never sure I make sense when I attempt to explain my view of the brain, but I always give it a good shot. smiles
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At the very least I understood all of your comments. Just happy your cape didn’t whisk you away before you were done! Thank you
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Good news. Esme is a professional cape whisker/swisher, so fear not.
Hahahahaha.
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Poignant indeed, Esme. Thanks to both you and Swarn.
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You’re welcome Tish. – smiles
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Thank you and Swarn for sharing this. Hugs
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You’re most welcome Scottie, shorts can be much stronger than full length films at times I find.
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This is beautiful
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It is isn’t it? The ending is superb. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Really makes me think . . .
. . . What’s it all about?
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You’re a bunch of hippies 😛
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And you’re a pretty, nutty, lush my dear. So we’re quits, yes?
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“You can’t tell someone they’re wrong about their own memories.” Having come from an abusive home, I can attest to this. But also one’s adult memories are those superimposed on the child’s like slides under a microscope, so it gets tricky to recall things with ‘absolute clarity.’ Still, as is related in “His body was remembering. So he didn’t have to,” yes. Bodies hold memories, particularly in the soft tissue. Kinesiology is based on muscle memory. These impressions were cast in the plaster of the child’s body, once again. What, then, remains real/true in a body containing regenerated cells over 30, 40 years? It depends on what we do in that interim as to the severity or duration of these ‘original memories.’ Loads of deep tissue bodywork really does help. As does mindfulness and learning to be still inside. Sure, it’s work. But for me, it was the most important work of my life. Getting free. Being free. Liberation, in a spiritual sense, begins here.
As to leaving behind one’s lineage/family, I had less struggle than many. Abused children are called survivors. I went from surviving that terror to surviving on my own in the world. But the second gave me some choices. I went toward that particular light. And many miles away from that family. The fallout was far easier to deal with than being triggered full-time. Having my wounds ripped open over and over again like Prometheus chained to a rock. Grief happens. Choices are made.
I will not disparage anything an abuse survivor remembers, because I would castigate my own self. Only it’s also important to realize that at some point, reliving these experiences only continues perpetuating the pattern of empowering the abusor/s. To claim one’s own power, then, demands that we ‘show up,’ as is offered in this poignant video. And how to even begin? “To hear the truth, you’ve just got to stand still.” Yes. Quaking, being mindful of the mind’s clever ways to derail, one moment, breath, day at a time. It’s a journey, this life. From what place to where we are going is like looking at the landscape through a tall glass of cool water. I’m always in favor of settling into the painting; constructed, of course, by my own hand.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for that Bela, I know you have first hand experience of dark events, and I agree with you about others, often parents, imprinting their own versions of reality upon children, even grown children, to suppress or alter the past as they wish it to be. The body, it does remember yes. Mindfulness is a fantastic tool for people to break out of negative patterns that they have almost become comfortable in. They practice being unhappy again and again and don’t realise that’s what is going on. As you say ‘perpetuating the pattern’ – perfectly put. How we deal with the truth is key, and then we’re back to which truth, which reality, well you have to pick one and deal with it. Humans are such complex interesting animals. More thanks, in heaps dear ❤
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❤
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Esme can you pop over to my site and give me a new follow? I lost my whole site the other day, and I’m starting anew. Please bring your cape. I am happy to have fallen into This great group! It wouldn’t be the same without you. Jim
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Aw, bless you (minus the God part), I’m just back online, and have already been over there.
Esme giving Jim an official Cloud Cape, so he can join in with any cape parties that may arise upon the Cloud
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Yay! Thank you. Excellent day already. So glad to have you back.
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I think today is super tall hat day for me. (Jim proudly spinning in circles with glee as I feel pleased today)
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Suits you sir!

Esme spinning too wearing her Steampunk Top hat happily
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A beautiful and powerful film, Esme. I’d expect no less here, of course. You do serve us up some gems. It’s been a few days now since I watched it, but I remember loving the creative force of it first of all–the textures and tones, the geometries, the clashing and the quiet. There’s the sense that we’re victims of history in some sense, and then there’s the sense that transformation is possible. That we’re born with it maybe. And so much happens without our sitting at the wheel, and yet there’s some choosing on our part I do believe. Some quiet acceptance of grace that is available to us. A coming-to-terms, pattern-shifting flash of light that we finally get down to, the emergence of what was kept safe for so long…
Peace
Michael
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Beautifully said Michael. ‘Victims of history’. Victims of time, one and all. I’ll slip into a poem if I’ not careful, ha!
Thank you for the visit and time taken Michael, always a pleasure to have you here and hear your thoughts. beams a large smile his way
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I had begun watching this, then saved it for savoring. My gentlest thanks to you and to Swarn for sharing this powerful piece with us. Shadows can become more real, longer and larger than the body that creates them. For me the film served to underscore my mind’s refusal to recall grammar-school memories — wide swaths of nothing, ever so remarkable because my childhood memories outside the school walls are replete, rich and detailed. Lisa has rich and rewarding memories of the teachers who guided, protected and kept her sane. Home, on the other hand, was a horror of abuse: starvation, violence, sexual abuse and confinement. Her mind had not shut them away like the steel trap that my mind refuses to hand over to post-traumatic processing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this Bill, and for watching the piece, I think it’s an incredibly evocative piece. How vastly our experiences can differ, yet still we find a kinship of sorts, you, I, Lisa and the others who have commented or liked the film, within it’s walls. Sending extra love to Lisa. Where we feel safe is quite critical, something often overlooked by the powers that be, whether they be teachers, parents or beyond.
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