Dismantling One-Up/One-Down Paradigms

In ancient times, the term Anima Mundi was used to describe the soul of the world, a vastly intelligent living system, a system in which every human, and every being in the more-than-human world, plays an integral part.  I believe that the ancient ones knew that to harm another was to harm themselves and to harm the planet was suicide.  I believe they partnered with Mother Earth, with the natural rhythms of the seasons, and with each other.  

But several millennia ago the partnering paradigm changed.  Western “civilization” was—and is—built on predation.  Using a "one-up/one-down" paradigm and othering language to excuse violence and slavery, resources are extracted from Mother Earth and other cultures are harmed in ways that benefit those in power.  

Here we are now, at the turning of an age.  Most of the 99% feel that the systems of consumer capitalism are soul-numbing and unsustainable, but how do we as individuals change them now?

We cannot effect a change in our culture that we haven’t started within our own consciousness.

In 1997, the sword of truth fell across my life after the death of my son, severing illusion from truth.  I left all one-up/one-down relationships and organizations, and began a course of study in ancient and modern ways of partnering.  In 2010, I began an empowerment course for women called the Priestess Process.  More than any other course I’ve ever taken, it changed my life from the inside out.  In 2014-2015, I received my facilitation training and now facilitate online and in-person courses for women.

In 2019, sister priestess Dionne Ruff-Sloan and I had a conversation about the importance of dismantling all one-up/one-down paradigms, from racism to perfectionism.