Philosophy and Gender Statistics

[Bring4th_Austin]

If there is a particular pattern that plays out in which a particular type of person - one who likes the Law of One, L/L Research, or just alternative spirituality; a person who wants to find a community of like-minded seekers; a person who is sensitive to the disharmony of the world; a person who happens to be a woman - finds this community and does not feel it offers those things, and even speaks against them, then I think it warrants some investigation as to why that pattern exists, otherwise it may just perpetuate itself until the only people left are ones who are uniquely able to detach from the emotional atmosphere of seemingly disharmonious social interaction. This level of detachment should not be a barrier for participation.

The ultimate responsibility is always on the individual in determining how they will react to any given catalyst. This is, indeed, the ultimate freedom, and perhaps the most beneficial thing I have gained from the Law of One. But I don't think that individual responsibility absolves a community from any responsibility in what distortions their culture may perpetuate.

If I were to have followed this line of thinking you would have lost me a long time ago. Not that I matter so much. But the insensitivity—sometimes violent, and often attacking even if only passive-aggressively—played out over a number of years regarding vegans and vegetarians and animal abuse, was enormously larger than this relatively small conflict regarding gender in today's world.

The vegan/vegetarian discussions are a great example of discussions being non-welcoming. There is much room for improvement in mindful and welcoming communication (on both sides, in my eyes). This is indicative of society as a whole in that regard.

But I would not necessarily place discussions about veganism in the same category as discussions about gender equality. It's certainly useful to draw comparisons, especially to communication styles, and the discussions might be connected in many ways. But the social dynamics involved in these two things are distinct enough to not view them equally in this discussion.

You probably replied to that sentiment preemptively in:

One might say, gender equality in this day and age should be a no-brainer, but just the term "gender equality" is separating. To me, it's just as horrible that we don't see all beings as equal in value, as it is for someone else who thinks it's horrible men and women aren't seen as equal.

I think what you're saying is that the term "gender equality" is separating because it separates gender as a whole from the rest of creation?

I would view it more as a microscope, or a medical imaging of a certain organ. To focus on a certain aspect of a whole does not imply a separation of that aspect. It's completely possible to acknowledge that the entire system should be viewed as an interconnected system while still focusing on particular issues. Sometimes it is impossible to diagnose and treat a distortion without focusing on the area of that distortion.

For instance, if a person goes to the doctor because their foot hurts, it would be most helpful for the doctor to first examine the foot itself, without dismissing that the foot is part of the whole body.

Maybe another analogy is better. What I interpret you as saying is that discussion of gender equality is basically "not seeing the forest for the trees," as the popular idiom goes. The health and balance of the whole forest is important, and focusing on a single tree could result in neglect of the rest of the forest. At the same time, if there is a single tree that is unhealthy, and it may be helped, the health of the whole forest improves as a result.

Acceptance and tolerance might be key factors in this discussion. I feel we are painting women as victims and that does not at all align with my view. And before anyone accuses me of being privileged again, yes, I'm white (looking), and born in the US, but I have had my share of heartbreak including an abusive childhood. And I might add that humans have collective responsibility, even in spiritual communities, for the state of things in 3D. That can't be said, with much evidence, for the animal, plant, mineral communities, and the planet itself.

Victimization can be applied in different ways. I don't think that the discussion of gender equality victimizes women in the way you intend to mean. Acknowledging that scales are tipped in favor of one side over another is not to say the disenfranchised side must adopt a mentality of victimhood. It's a simple acknowledgment of an issue that can be addressed by finding out what is tipping the scales and trying to rebalance them.

In other words, acknowledging that a person is on the receiving end of unfair treatment does imply any sort of attitude or behavior on behalf of that person. It can, depending on how it is addressed, but it isn't innate in the observation.

Of course, this is not my forum. But I will add that walking on eggshells, or trying to placate a particular person(s), may not be helpful. On the other hand, compassion, and discernment in compassion, is of the utmost importance, to me. It isn't simple, any of it. In addition, I do not think most people understand what I mean by detachment, regardless of how much I struggle to explain it, and interpret it as not caring or being too intellectual or cold. It's not that at all.

I certainly agree it isn't simple, and part of the complication is that sensitivity towards certain issues and aspects of culture can be dismissed as "walking on eggshells" or, in this community specifically, "denying a person their catalyst." Some areas are more sensitive for us as a community and for society in general, and ultimate healing of those areas can benefit from increased sensitivity.

Back to the hurt foot analogy, it can be helpful to step more lightly on the hurt foot instead of pretending both feet are healthy and placing equal weight on both. The former can encourage quicker healing, the latter can prolong the pain.

The detachment that I spoke about in my own post, which may or may not be related to the detachment you speak about, wasn't about being too intellectual or cold. Detachment can be the most empowering tool in a spiritual seekers toolbox. But an expectation of detachment can, I think, bypass a necessary stage balancing and healing.