Confrontational Compassion

From the Tarot de St. Croix, Strength; from the Archetype Cards, Hero/Heroine:

To find our way to courage requires us to face the lion,

but to stand by our courage requires us to be the lion.

—James Ricklef

          My inner lion wants to protect me and help me reach my full potential. Unfortunately, it gets triggered by fear and often reacts with roars and rage, neither of which has been beneficial to me or my relationships. To face my lion means to see clearly what scares me, find the courage to accept what is real, and search for sane ways to deal with it. But that lion can come in useful when I need to be the Heroine - taking on my own challenges or working to right an injustice. But it means not letting fear or anger color my vision, seeing what I believe to be true rather than the truth itself. Authentic compassion can let me stand up and work for what is right without the trail of destruction often left by the motivational factors of anger and fear.

 Unlike self-righteous anger, which hates the “bad ones” on behalf of the “good ones,” confrontational compassion protects all by challenging all differently—those suffering injustices and those inflicting them. —John Makransky

Earnestness in Learning

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the Page of Pentacles; from the Archetype Cards, the Judge:

To be an artist it is necessary to live with our eyes wide open, to breath in the colors of mountain and sky, to know the sound of leaves rustling, the smell of snow, the texture of bark. To be an artist is to notice every beautiful and tragic thing, to cry freely, to collect experience and shape it into forms that others can share. ― Jan Phillips

          This young man, full of enthusiasm for learning photography, finds everything worthy of being photographed. (Thankfully with digital cameras, this no longer costs a fortune.) But how long will his zeal to study and practice continue? I remember years ago when I wanted to start my own blog, I was encouraged to do so by my friend Sharyn. She told me, "The hard thing is not starting, it's when you have to write a fresh perspective on the same card over and over." This Page represents 'beginner's mind,' an attitude of openness and a lack of preconceptions. It is the ability to embrace experience anew, as a beginner, no matter the level of skill or knowledge. Judge, in its healthy form, helps me discern and assess from a place of objectivity. For any artist or crafts-person, it is hard for the Judge's flip side - the Inner Critic - not to appear. One way to spot and override this critic is to write down statements as if delivering them to someone else. Would I actually say this to someone else if it were their work? If there is no compassion in sight, it's the Inner Critic not the Judge doing the talking.

Lighting a Fire

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the World; from the Archetype Cards, Teacher:

This world is indeed a living being endowed with a soul and intelligence … a single visible living entity containing all other living entities, which by their nature are all related.

―Plato

          Lisa based her World figure on the Anima Mundi, or World Soul, explaining that at this point we have had a revelation of our wholeness. Rather than struggling to declare ourselves independent and separate, we see our interconnection and reliance on the other beings who are a part of the world too. If we can see from this perspective, we will naturally be compassionate toward all beings, with a desire to relieve their pain and suffering. As the sage Shantideva stated, "How wonderful will it be when all beings experience each other as limbs on the one body of life!" The Teacher archetype suggests sharing our skills, knowledge and wisdom with others. But there should be a caveat for this: offer but don't force any teachings on anyone and don't try to impress - just share what we know and have experienced. 

Education is not the filling of a pot but the lighting of a fire.

―W.B. Yeats

Not Resisting but Relaxing

This week I'll be using the Tarot de St. Croix, created and self-published by Lisa de St. Croix. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Archetype Cards, created by Caroline Myss and published by Hay House. Today's cards are the Four of Pentacles and Pioneer:

When I’m really caught up — in a thought, emotion, or situation — I like to remind myself to look up. However the sky has chosen to appear, looking up always offers a reminder that there’s more to this world than me and my own problems. ——Lilly Greenblatt

          What happens when we watch the morning news, read a few social media posts, or get a disturbing notice in the mail? In my case, my brain sends out stress hormones and my emotions jump in to hunker down for battle. My world shrinks down to 'me' as soon as I've gotten hooked by the mights and maybes. Yet there are many more possibilities than just the negative ones I'm currently holding; what I'm focusing on is the clouds, not the infinite expanse of sky behind them. The Pioneer archetype suggests I embrace a new way of thinking and acting, becoming proactive rather than reactive. As Pema Chodron suggests, "...rather than being disheartened by the ambiguity, the uncertainty of life, what if we accepted it and relaxed into it? What if we said, Yes, this is the way it is; this is what it means to be human..."

When we resist change, it’s called suffering. But when we can let go and not struggle against it, that’s called enlightenment. ——Pema Chodron

Knots on a Rope

From the Urban Tarot, the Empress; from the Principles to Live By tiles, Compassion:

Leave people better than you found them.

― Marvin J. Ashton

          The Empress asks, "What are you nurturing and creating?" I've nurtured rage and revenge, and I've nurtured love and forgiveness. I've created friendships and alliances based on common bonds and cooperation and torn them asunder because of differences and competition. At age sixty, I see the wisdom in Ashton's words; the way I care for others has a residual effect on me. We're all knots tied on the same rope, connected whether we like it or not. Compassion is explained clearly by Karen Armstrong: "Compassion doesn't mean feeling sorry for people. It doesn't mean pity. It means putting yourself in the position of the other, learning about the other." Compassion suggests listening rather than telling and being an encourager rather than a fixer. It helps me see that suffering is universal, so why not be a part of the solution instead of the problem?

Flip Side

From the Urban Tarot, the Four of Disks; from the Principles to Live By tiles, Open-mindedness:

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. 

—Abraham Lincoln

          Scott calls this card - a version of Times Square - Disks Incorporated. Material power can grant security and comfort as well as the opportunity to create change in our lives and the lives of others. Yet attachment to this power can create a paranoid mentality, a mindset that fears loss and reacts through greed and selfishness. The empty Bowl is a symbol of an open mind (a nod to the story of the Zen master overfilling the teacup). Open-minded people don't mind having their views challenged, ask as many questions as they make statements, focus on understanding others (rather than being understood), are curious, let the other person speak freely, and can hold two conflicting concepts at once while assessing the merit of both. People with material power can easily slide into a dogmatic stance, pointing to their success as a reason they are always right. Lately I've heard employers complain that they can't find people to employ; they angrily grumble that all the 'free government money' given out during the pandemic lets people be lazy. Yet perhaps people simply got tired of working for low wages with no benefits and little appreciation. Others might have found alternative ways to earn a living when businesses were closed. There's usually a flip side to everything.

I often suggest that whenever anyone says, ‘I can’t find the workers I need,’ they should really add, ‘at the wages I want to pay.’ —Heidi Shierholz, economist

Raising a Glass

From the Urban Tarot, the Three of Cups; from the Principles to Live By oracle, Acceptance:

We were together. I forget the rest. ― Walt Whitman

          The Three of Cups represents the abundance of joy found in camaraderie. I've found old pictures that showed celebrations that reminded of that feeling found in togetherness. Like Whitman, the details might be fuzzy, but I remember the delight and fun. While those events might be far in the past, Cynthia Rowley reminds me that "There's always an excuse to celebrate someone you love." Acceptance shows an open palm, suggesting a willingness to be receptive to what is. As I get older, many of the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries I would like to celebrate are missing the honoree. Father's Day was a good example; my second step-dad had a big heart and readily welcomed me and my family under his umbrella. Even though he's been gone many years now, I decided I could hold a personal observance in his honor. It warmed my heart and filled it with gratitude, just as if he were still here. Raising a glass to you, Papa Paul.

I Love Postal Carriers

From the Urban Tarot, the Nine of Wands; from the Principles to Live By oracle, Honesty:

The hand cannot reach higher than does the heart.

~Orison Swett Marden

          A lone postal worker pushes a mail cart in the frigid hours of the early morning. After years of organizational neglect and a new boss who cares more for politics than serving the postal system, I can't think of a more appropriate example of strength in adversity than a mail carrier. Like the waitress yelled at for an overcooked steak, they get blamed for everything that goes wrong. Yet my postman was running several routes, beginning before dawn and lasting after dark, during the height of the Covid pandemic. And how many of us are cheered to see their little truck pulling up to our mailbox, delivering letters or a package? There is dedication implied in this card, a wholehearted devotion to duty or calling. The fully opened lotus flower suggests complete honesty, a truth that underlies words and actions. Even the most devoted and determined need someone with whom they can speak about their challenges and concerns. Being honest about our struggles is the first step in finding the encouragement and assistance we need.

Any Moment Now

One way to appreciate virtually any moment of your life 

is to pretend that the whole thing is already over. ―David Cain

          In the evening at a park, people have gathered to grill out and relax. Perhaps they are waiting for fireworks when the sun goes down. But eventually, the day will end and another day of work will begin. Will they fully appreciate this day, or will they spend it anticipating the 'likes' they'll get when they post pictures on Instagram or Facebook? Will they enjoy the belly laughs and beauty around them, or will they be stuck in the past reliving a moment that didn't go their way? Life is happening around us; how lucky we are to be here with the ability to choose how we will respond to our experience. Forgiveness is the ability to accept what has happened while finding a way to live peacefully with it. To hold onto anger and resentment is like scraping off scabs of our hurt and rubbing dirt in our wound. The band-aide suggests leaving the memory alone, to stop poking and prodding it. Our agitated thoughts only infect and make things worse. Forgiveness unlocks our hearts and minds, letting us fully participate in and enjoy our moments.

If you can not even find a bit of happiness in your everyday life, you are sure to never see it in the major events either. Enjoy every moment you have.

―Christine Szymanski

Sitting on Blisters

From the Urban Tarot, Justice; from Principles to Live By, Courage:

We recognize that life is, ultimately, not fair. Many suffer who have done nothing to deserve it, and many go unpunished who have done great harm. We stand by the ideal that we, as civilized people, can do better than that. ―Robin Scott

          It would be easy to blame hatred and prejudice for the injustice in the world, but I think the biggest issue is apathy. Those of us who enjoy the privilege of not to having to deal with unfairness can cocoon ourselves in complacency and indifference. We might go into a rage because a pet owner strikes their dog, but watching people get pepper-sprayed, hit with batons and shot with rubber bullets doesn't even put a blip on our radar. It's time for a major readjustment in our attitudes and hearts; the oppressed aren't going to be quiet and docile forever (nor should they be). As Scott says, "Justice needs the guidance of love and mercy when she wields her sword of truth." Courage asks us to act with purpose, even in the face of uncertainty. This purpose is more important than our fear of change, and it offers us the potential for reformation. In the words of Bob Marley, "Get up, stand up, don't give up the fight."

If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters. ―Abraham Lincoln 

Taking a Risk

This week I'll be using the Urban Tarot, a deck and book set created and originally self-published by Robin Scott (now published by U.S. Games). I'll be pairing it with an oracle I created called "Principles to Live By." Today's draws are the Fool and Persistence:

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

―Leo F. Buscaglia

          Why is it so hard to leap beyond the bounds of what I can see? While part of this fear comes from the unknown, the other part doesn't want to risk the collection of elements I identify myself with - from my reputation to relationships to material possessions. Intellectually, I realize this 'self' is just a mental construct of labels and preferences that make me feel safe. The irony is that it changes over time anyway. And as Eckhart Tolle reminds me, "Attachment to things drops away by itself when you no longer seek to find yourself in them." Persistence means to be not easily distracted or discouraged; when I fall (or fail), I get back up again. I look for the place I slipped (not where I landed) and learn from it. I listen attentively to those with wisdom and stay open-minded. The goal may change as a result, but then so will I.

The most beautiful people are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. ―Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Know Thyself

From the Gill Tarot, the Priest (Hierophant); from The Circle, Choice:

“Know thyself” is the first practice of love. When we practice this, we see the conditions that have caused us to be the way we are. ―Thich Nhat Hanh

          Learning anything generally requires a mentor (whether in-person, through a book, etc.), even if the object of study is myself. My personal evaluation of whether a spiritual teacher is beneficial depends on whether they help me develop kindness and compassion while lessening self-centeredness and selfishness. Awareness is the key, but it involves more than introspection. As psychologist Tasha Eurich explains, we do not have access to many of our unconscious thoughts, feelings, and motives, which leads us to invent answers that feel true but are often wrong. Simply asking 'Why?' invites unproductive negative thoughts and ruminative patterns. She suggests observing the consequences or situation then asking 'What?' questions to help us stay objective, future-focused, and empowered to act on our new insights. When it comes time to make an important decision, such self-awareness can help us not be led astray by our moods or biases.

Under Construction

From the Gill Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Discs; from The Circle deck, Responsibility:

          The Prince of Discs represents Air in the element of Earth, making him a person who is thoughtful and innovative as well as dependable and industrious. While his earthy side might make him slower than some, it allows his contemplative side to be aware of necessary steps to be taken rather than skipped over. Thorough in his work, he takes things one step or stage at a time. Responsibility suggests being aware of one's own strengths and weaknesses and having the integrity not to pretend otherwise. The University of Zurich suggested five types of strengths:

1. Interpersonal - leadership, teamwork, kindness, forgiveness fairness
2. Intellectual - love of learning, creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness
3. Emotional - zest, hope, courage
4. Restraint - prudence, self-regulation, honesty
5. Spiritual - faith, gratitude, appreciation of beauty

Hopefully this Prince will realize there's more under construction than just that wheel.

Words of Wisdom

From the Gill Tarot, the Two of Cups; from The Circle, Forgiveness:

If we only think of ourselves, if we know only our own needs and ignore the needs of the other person, we cannot love. We must look deeply in order to see and understand the needs, aspirations, and suffering of the person we love. This is the ground of real love. You cannot resist loving another person when you really understand him or her.  ―Thich Nhat Hanh

When you recognize that pain and response to pain is a universal thing, it helps explain so many things about others, just as it explains so much about yourself … It essentially tells you what everybody needs. You know what everybody needs? You want to put it in a single word? Everybody needs to be understood. And out of that comes every form of love.  ―Sherwin Nuland

Forgiveness is a deep process, which is repeated over and over and over again in our hearts. It honors the grief and it honors the betrayal. And in its own time, it ripens into the freedom to truly forgive. And if we look honestly at our own lives, we can see the sorrows and pain that have led to our own wrongdoing. We’re not just victims; sometimes we also need to be forgiven. And in this way we can finally extend forgiveness to ourselves and hold the pain that we have caused in the heart of compassion.  ―Gina Sharpe

The process of forgiveness demands courage and a continual remembering of where our deepest happiness lies.  —Sharon Salzberg

A Bit of Both

From the Gill Tarot, the Eight of Swords; from The Circle, Harvest:

If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas. ―George Bernard Shaw

          The Thoth version of the Eight of Swords is a battle of ideas between rational, science-based thinking and imaginative, fantasy-based thinking. If we were to limit ourselves to one or the other, we might languish with a lack of fresh possibilities or live in a dream world where nothing ever is rendered into reality. The truth is that useful ideas need both visionaries and analysts, even when both concepts seem to conflict with each other. As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind, at the same time, and still retain the ability to function." Harvest suggests we plant a few of these 'seed' ideas, nurture them, and see what kind of fruit they bear. 

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.

―Brian O'Driscoll

A Fall and a Reunion

From the Gill Tarot, the Tower; from The Circle deck, Intention:

          My first thought upon seeing this card was "a fall from grace." I don't mean this in the same way as organized religion, but in the mindset of forgetting that my personal knowledge and will power won't allow me to control others or protect me from the natural laws of this physical world. I easily forget how much I depend on all the other beings on this wonderful planet that is my home. As Dharmavidya David Brazier explains, "Grace provides the framework within which a meaningful life is lived. Love is the substance of it day to day." Grace reunites me with life and gives me a purpose that is not self-centered. The Intention card suggests that I use a blueprint to guide and remind me of my chosen framework. When I get up in a grumpy mood or with an emotional hangover, it's easy to forget what is important. Yet as with blueprints, I'm rarely going to follow my intentions to the letter. But they can at least point me in the right direction and remind me of my purpose.

as the moon sets

and the sun rises

may i begin my day

awake.

may i move through

each moment

mindfully

lightly

and with clarity.

a heart

bursting with love,

a mind

propped open,

may i shine

to lessen

the darkness

of

another being's

suffering.

―Mary Jane Dodd

 (my personal morning intention)

Righteous Cause

From the Gill Tarot, the Seven of Wands; from The Circle, Destiny:

The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. ~William Jennings Bryan

          Seeing this fiery figure made me think of the phrase 'a righteous cause.' Yet if an undertaking is motivated by rage and fundamentalism, it has no noble foundation. Such people will fly this banner, but their true purpose is to protect their own power. They can easily be spotted by their tactics - fueling hatred, blaming others, condoning inequality, and demonizing other points of view. A true righteous cause may be passionate, but it is rooted in kindness and selflessness. Destiny brings up the question of whether it is a matter of chance or choice. While we are all shaped by conditions outside of our control, I personally believe in the power and responsibility of the decisions we make. An irritant in an oyster can be turned into a shimmering pearl or chalky-looking lump. As William J. Bryan stated, "It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

There's Always More

This week I'll be using the Gill Tarot, created by Elizabeth Gill and published by U.S. Games. The oracle deck I'll be using with it is The Circle, created by D.R. Taylor and published by Versation Publishing. Today's draws are the Eight of Discs and Mystery:

The world, even the smallest parts of it, is filled with things you don't know.

― Sherman Alexie

        A metalworker, so in the flow of his work that he resembles the element he creates with, designs a huge figure of the number eight. The companion book describes this card as the application of concepts. The two circles that make up the number nicely symbolize the way mental skill rests on physical skill. Yet the Mystery card suggests delighting in - rather than being frustrated by - the unknown in the creative process. A teacher once gave me some great advice: "Be willing not to be an expert." Curiosity keeps the doors of the mind open to learning, producing more skills and knowledge rather than complacency and stagnation. That mindset can be much more exciting than being an expert.

The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery. ― Anais Nin

Appreciative Joy

From the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, the Five of Water (Cups); from the Insectorum Divinorum, Lantern-fly:

Dimmi: Does the pain of regret or loss prevent appreciative joy?*

          When I searched online for this image, I discovered the companion book had misidentified it. Leonardo's mechanism is the first idea for a CVT (continuously variable transmission), which allows an engine's speed to remain steady as it continuously and seamlessly alters its gearing. Do we keep running smoothly when life suddenly causes us to take a sharp, unexpected turn? Or do we feel that we have it worse than most people, who seem to glide along? Appreciative joy is not just about a gladness of heart for the happiness we see around us, it also recognizes the skillful behavior and attitude that cultivates that happiness. This practice takes practice to cultivate. The Lantern-fly, a type of planthopper with a strangely shaped snout, was mistakenly thought to emit light by early experts. Such a misunderstanding is also behind the Five of Cups. Unvoiced expectations, misinterpreted intentions, wishful thinking, and the failure to acknowledge the natural course of things may all need to be examined carefully. 

*My own dimmi, not the book's.

House of Delusions

From the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, the Ten of Earth (Pentacles); from the Insectorum Divinorum, Swarm:

Dimmi: What have you inherited?

          Leonardo's sketch shows the plans for a basilica; for stability, the depths of the foundation must be in proportion to the weight that will rest on it. We all have a foundation from our family of origin - patterns of saving and spending as well as healthy or unhealthy habits that affect the body. Added to this base is the effect of our social community, as seen in the Swarm. While we might like to think of ourselves as rational and street-smart, we all have an innate desire for an easy answer. Cognitive short-cuts (heuristics) can be helpful time-savers, but relying on what is familiar because we assume it is good and safe is not always wise. Whether we are dealing with familial foundations or patterns within our social groups, critical thinking rather than collective thinking is necessary. Our fact finding is not made invalid if others disagree with us - people in distressing situations tend to cling even tighter to the familiar, even when the familiar is a delusion.

The house of delusions is cheap to build but drafty to live in.

― A. E. Housman

Reasoned Judgment

From the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, the Emperor; from the Insectorum Divinorum, Hemiptera:

Dimmi: What are the boundaries of safety and order in this situation?

          The fantastical elements of this armor were added by Leonardo, whose sitter for this sketch was just an ordinary man. Without this knowledge, how easy it would be to judge him as some pompous ruler with more concern for attire than his kingdom. Hemiptera is an order of insects known as 'true bugs;' they are distinguished by their piercing mouth parts used for sucking sap from plants (but in some cases animals) with nymphs that resemble the adult form. Both these cards point to the danger of making a snap judgment without being aware of factual evidence. Assumptions may seem to protect us; rather than investigate and confirm, we fill in what is unknown based on our preferences and biases. But such misinformation just creates more chaos and insecurity, not safety and order. 

It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into.

~Jonathan Swift

Try a Little Tenderness

From the DaVinci Enigma Tarot, the Empress; from the Insectorum Divinorum, the Housefly:

Dimmi: How do you take up your unique place as a living being?

Where can you guide others with love and kindness in this matter?

          This study of St. Anne (Mary's mother) shows a look of tenderness wished for by Leonardo, who had been an illegitimate child abandoned by his mother. The question posed by this card asks how we nurture and support others. Some of us connect through empathy, some by offering reason and guidance, some through physical or material support, and others through helping people find their passions and following them. The Fly card suggests a duality, as this insect can be both an important pollinator and a pathogen carrier. How do we relate to humankind - with tenderness or sanctimoniousness? 

Care is a state in which something does matter; it is the source of human tenderness.

~Rollo May

Mere Opinions

From the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, Experience (Justice); from the Insectorum Divinorum, Diversity:

Dimmi: How does experience inform your integrity?

Where do you need to be just or impartial in this matter?

          The young girl in Da Vinci's sketch seems to point off into the distance as if inviting me to explore something. In this version of Justice, the question is asked about how open or closed-minded we are. Do we base what we think is ethical and equitable on our personal belief system or on the well-being of all? Leonardo wrote, "The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions." The Diversity card is a reminder of what a varied assortment exists in the bug world - approximately 17,500 species of butterflies and 350,000 species of beetles. The medley of humans is no different; we are all influenced by such things as our culture and education, but more than anything else, our life experience. Yet even if we can't travel the world, we can learn from books, documentaries, and people who are different from us. Mere opinions and personal beliefs do not produce equality.

 Too often we... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. 

~John F. Kennedy

When the Teacher is Ready...

From the Da Vinci Enigma, the Three of Earth (Pentacles); from the Insectorum Divinorum, Scarab:

Dimmi: What viewpoint is guiding or confusing the issue?

          Da Vinci wrote, "Perspective is the bridle and rudder of painting..." Indeed, drawing or painting a three dimensional subject in two dimensional form requires a knowledge of how to give the illusion of depth. The traditional meaning of mastery mixes well with the suggestion of a need for perspective. When we become good at what we do - no longer struggling with basic knowledge or skills - it may seem that others have nothing else to teach us. Scarab beetles are known for gathering dung then rolling it into balls for food for themselves or their larvae. The companion booklet describes them as symbols of tireless effort. Because life never stops changing, it is beneficial to continue learning, widening our knowledge and skills so that we can adapt and evolve.

It is what we know already that often prevents us from learning. 

~Claude Bernard

Renunciation

This week I'll be using the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, created by Caitlin Matthews and published by Connections. Along with it, I'll be drawing from a self-published oracle created by Esmeralda Rupp-Spangle called the Insectorum Divinorum. Today's cards are the Ten of Air (Swords) and the Nightcrawler:

Dimmi: What do you have to relinquish?

          Da Vinci's sketch shows a hanged assassin; though he managed to murder his target, things did not turn out the way he imagined. We all have our pet opinions and viewpoints that we guard ferociously and grasp tightly. Even when presented with facts that debunk our ideas, we rarely relinquish them. Often only hitting rock bottom makes us question our perspective. The Nightcrawler is an earthworm that provides natural aeration of soil, allowing water and oxygen to penetrate more easily into the ground. It suggests that perhaps we should prop open the door of our mind, allowing the fresh air of a more panoramic view. 

Renunciation, though often understood to mean “giving up,” is, more accurately, the willingness to experience things as they are, not as we want them to be. —Ken McLeod