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This was initially posted on August 20, 2018
Nurture life.
Stroll in love and sweetness.
Belief the data that comes by way of the physique.
Communicate the reality about battle, ache, and struggling.
Take solely what you want.
Take into consideration the implications of your actions for seven generations.
Strategy the taking of life with nice restraint.
Observe nice generosity.
Restore the online
In Rebirth of the Goddess, I supplied 9 Touchstones of Goddess Spirituality as a substitute for the Ten Commandments. The 9 Touchstones are supposed to tell all {our relationships}, whether or not private, communal, social, or political.
The eighth touchstone asks us to follow nice generosity.
Confronted by the good generosity of village Cretans who’ve far lower than I do, I used to be provoked to look at my very own values. Having been introduced up in a household that at all times had sufficient to eat however usually didn’t have sufficient to purchase me all the things I wished, I used to be taught to “rely my pennies” and to “save for a wet day.” I started babysitting on the age of ten and as a teen used my financial savings to purchase material and patterns and sewed nearly all of my very own clothes. My brother and I fought always about who would get “the most important piece” of no matter candy was on supply.
The habits I discovered early have served me effectively in some methods. I don’t spend greater than I’ve, and I’ve invested correctly. I’m for probably the most half a form individual, however the follow of nice generosity in regard to the cash I’ve doesn’t at all times come simply to me. Typically I give generously to charities, however I’m not constant. (Be aware to self: you are able to do higher.) Furthermore, it isn’t a part of my cultural upbringing to supply to pay for another person’s meal or to offer items, not solely on birthdays and holidays, however day-after-day.
I sensed that the generosity I skilled among the many Cretan folks had historic roots. Now I perceive that this follow could have been handed down from egalitarian matriarchal cultures wherein the generosity related to moms was thought-about to be the very best worth—to be practiced not solely by ladies however by males as effectively, not solely within the house, however on the planet as an entire. It’s my perception that earlier than warfare and the spoils of warfare grew to become commonplace, folks have been valued not by what they’d (or hoarded) however by what they have been keen to offer. These values have been, and in some locations nonetheless are, practiced in rural farming communities.
In a latest weeks Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been telling People that democratic socialism “implies that we should always assure fundamental parts of dignity and human life: training, well being care, housing, meals. It’s about guaranteeing a minimal stage of dignity in the USA.” I’ve usually mentioned that I’d be greater than keen to pay larger taxes order to make sure fundamental dignity to all People. (I’m not glad about paying taxes to the warfare machine: Barbara Lee speaks for me.)
In response to Republican assaults on socialism, Paul Krugman examined democratic socialism in Denmark. Krugman famous that:
American politics has been dominated by a campaign in opposition to large authorities; Denmark has embraced an expansive authorities position, with public spending greater than half of G.D.P. American politicians concern discuss redistribution of revenue from the wealthy to the much less well-off; Denmark engages in such redistribution on a scale unimaginable right here.
Furthermore:
Danes usually tend to have jobs than People, and in lots of instances they earn considerably extra. General G.D.P. per capita in Denmark is a bit decrease than in America, however that’s mainly as a result of the Danes take extra holidays. Revenue inequality is way decrease, and life expectancy is larger.
Rising up, I used to be taught that giving to others requires selflessness and private sacrifice. In different phrases, giving just isn’t at all times “enjoyable.” My mother and father and my church have been fallacious about that. Until we’re fully reduce off from our inborn capability for empathy, most of us could be a lot happier understanding that our neighbors and others with whom we share the world have sufficient to outlive and thrive. Krugman finds that:
The straightforward reality is that life is best for many Danes than it’s for his or her U.S. counterparts. There’s a motive Denmark persistently ranks effectively forward of America in measures of happiness and life satisfaction.
Rising up, I used to be additionally taught that “it’s higher to offer than to obtain.” I didn’t consider that then, however I’m starting to consider it now.
The eighth touchstone asks us to follow nice generosity.
Doing so is not going to solely assist others. It can additionally make us happier to be alive.
Additionally see: Ethics of Goddess Faith: Therapeutic the World , Nurture Life: Ethics of Goddess Spirituality, Stroll in Love and Magnificence: A Touchstone for Therapeutic, Belief the Information that Comes by way of the Physique: Heal Your self, Heal the World, Communicate the Fact About Battle, Ache, and Struggling, Take Solely What You Want, Suppose In regards to the Penalties of Your Actions for Seven Generations, Strategy the Taking of Life with Nice Restraint
BIO: Carol P. Christ (1945-2021) was an internationally identified feminist and ecofeminist author, activist, and educator. Her work continues by way of her non-profit basis, the Ariadne Institute for the Examine of Fantasy and Ritual.
“In Goddess faith demise just isn’t feared, however is known to be part of life, adopted by start and renewal.” — Carol P. Christ
Classes: Egalitarian Matriarchy, Feminism, Feminism and Faith, Feminist Ethics, Basic, Goddess Spirituality
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