The Magickal Pen

Strip away the masks
Strip away the illusions
Strip away the isolation
Strip away the desperation.

Strip away the bright joys
And the sorrow filled
Victories of darkened soul.

Break me down in surrender
Strip away the flesh
And render me further
Still to hollow bone.

I will still have
What connects me to
The conscious whole.

I will always have the
Refined and informed self
I have tested and diligently
Trained on the embattled
Fields of community
And interwoven paths.

Despite all that may
Be taken away I will
Always have the sweet
Memory of my humanity.

This week on The Pagan Experience the suggested topic was Humanity, with these questions looming large:
How do you define “humanity”? What is your contribution to the collective space of humanity? How does your spiritual path support this definition and contributions?

For me the word “humanity” means many things. It is the collective species of humans of which I am a part. And, it is the action of expressing those human qualities in a way that is in alignment with all parts of myself. This second definition is the one that I most often get hung up on.  Finding my humanity in my emotional self means being able to understand how my responses form the base from which I interact (or react to) with others.  Finding my humanity in my actions means accepting the consequences for those actions and than relying on informed decision before proceeding. Finding my humanity in my thoughts requires that I am open and aware of the balance between rationale and logic and creative inspiration. Finding my humanity as I manifest, possess, and leave my physical “human” imprint in the world demands that I honor and respect my physical form, world and state of being as the tool I have been in the lifetime. And, looking at the connectivity of these definitions cycles back to the first definition of the collective species of humans.

This is the greater responsibility of exploring the defining properties of your own humanity. Now, for me this, thins brings to mind another thought.  I see this process of definition intimately connected to the simple (yes, I did use that word in association with the next statement) pursuit of defining your life’s purpose. This is where it gets a bit tricky; although if we were able to continually be in alignment with our higher selves- ALL if this would be a moot point. I like to think of the seeking and self-inquiry that I engage in in revealing my intention ( life’s purpose) in this lifetime is one of contributing to humanity by virtue of my place within it. The more I learn of myself, the more I can identify and resonate with in others. Everyday that I acknowledge my physical self and the gifts of being able to express myself through all of my elements and parts is a deposit into the bank of humanity.

And, to the last question about how my spiritual path supports this. Because I have chosen a path that seeks community and common experience and does its work, even as a solitary practitioner, with the intention and realization that we are interconnected to all life, humanity by default is part of the work of that path. We seek to individualized and yet to also remain cognizant of our place in the collective whole. Our strivings are those of living our spiritual truths 24/7-365 days a year, making those achievements gained the pearls of wisdom that reveal the true nature of our spiritual self.

Humanity flexes its muscles and stretches reaching towards the limits with each act of kindness. And, although many would not agree, I think humanity learns the boundaries of overstep and force in each act of injustice. As humans this is how we learn and grow and although unpleasant in some instances, many times these actions that show humanity at its less than desirable, gives rise to something productive  and uplifting from the depths of adversity.

So, I will hold myself accountable each day for how I chose to express my humanity and offer up gratitude for the experience of being human.