Demons in our Midst: Facing the Tyrant Inside and Out

[G_j]

..decided to post this here. I found it to be a compelling piece in that it addresses the 'shadows' that seem to manifest inwardly and outwardly in our world. For those familiar with the "Sacred Path" cards, I find that the "Smoking Mirror" card addresses this pretty well also.

love, G_j
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Demons in our Midst:
Facing the Tyrant Inside and Out

by Suzanne Duarte


http://www.awakenedwoman.com/duarte_demon.htm

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall - think of it, ALWAYS. -- Gandhi

It cannot be an accident, or mere "coincidence," that Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy was made into movies that became box office hits during the first Bush administration. We needed those images of leathery-winged monsters with huge teeth and claws, of the pathetic Gollum with the vicious shadow, of the goodness of fellowship and the evil of greed for absolute power over the world. Why did we need them? I think we needed those visual images to remind us of the nature of evil and the existence of demons because, in our secularlized, mechanistic world, we had forgotten about them. We thought we were safe.


It took me a long time to recognize that truly demonic energies are operating in our world right now. I was as unwilling to acknowledge the demonic as the next person. "Demonic" was not a word in my vocabulary, nor was "evil." I thought that people who used those words were projecting and ought to look at their own behavior. However, personal as well as global circumstances have compelled me to try to understand these energies and how to combat them.

We live in a world where deceit, duplicity, and mass delusion seem nearly all-pervasive. We cannot rely on the mainstream media to tell us what we most need to know, the truth; we cannot believe the politicians; we can't trust our electoral process; and half the country seems to be under a hypnotic spell induced by sub-rational mesmerism. Our lives are increasingly being corralled by a maniacal, irresponsible administration that uses lies and fear to rationalize its assaults on our rights and freedoms, our economy and environment, and those of other countries. While a great deal of the rest of humanity is concerned about environmental crises, Bush & Co. remain in stubborn denial of the multitudinous ecological problems that threaten human survival. They protect ecologically destructive corporations, while encouraging Americans to spend and consume.

How do we keep our sanity in the midst of the bewilderment, paranoia and anxiety that seem to be intentionally generated by Bush & Co.? How do we continue to work for the good of the whole when grief and despair over all that is being lost threaten to overwhelm us?

..more..

[cliss]

1. Interesting, isn't it?

The concept of "evil" seems to have become antiquated at some point in time. It brings up images of overheated and melodramatic religious leaders on TV, sweating and flailing their arms (and asking for donations to "fight the Devil".

Demonic is another word that almost sounds funny; people think of biblical terms which really don't belong in the new Aquarian Age.

Or do they? As humanity moves toward a new age of enlightenment, is blatant evil a part of the past?

Was it going to be that easy? Or is Bush a reminder that the New Age is rife with evil. For that matter, can a person really be evil? Or is he just an agent for a force which I no longer deny. Are they just a temp for the Devil?

At this stage of the game, I unabashedly acknowledge the existence of evil, more sinister and embedded in people than I ever knew. More cold, more unrelenting than I understood as an innocent youngster.

And yes, I thought of Good versus Evil in the Biblical sense when I watched the movie Lord of the Rings. I know there were newspaper articles afterwards, how the Catholics in particular felt that the Fellowship was actually a parable of Jesus and his 12 Disciples. Aragorn would have to be the tormented Jesus, and in fact he does look quite a bit like him.

I thought about how Bush fit into the scenario, and the Catholics might not like the side I put him on.

[G_j]

3. even without any religious or 'biblical' connotations

the very behavior of some human beings demonstrates something that begs for a way, for words to define it.
evil? demonic?
We find ourselves grasping for a way to understand why people like Bush practice such malevolence and destructiveness against their fellow beings.
I think it is possible that our collective 'shadow' thought-forms eventually manifest on the physical plane. Is Bush that sort of manifestation? Is he (and his ilk) representative of the dark side of our culture with all it's images of violence and fear?
I guess it is worth asking.

[belle]

5. Good questions, intriguing.

[pacifictiger]

4. For some time now I've felt

that Bush is playing the Judas role - betrayal for the sake of a few schekels of silver.
Perhaps a scripted part in the grand scheme of things, but history will despise him.

[DemExpat]

2. How strange to see this name of one of the most prolific EMailers

on my Dutch Democrat Abroad list! What a funny, small world....

I had not realized that she was into this type of knowledge.

Thanks - will bookmark to read later when I have more time.

:kick:

DemEx

[smirkymonkey]

6. Predator Demons...

This really explains my work situation to a tee - I feel like I am being devoured by two of them...

"Predator demons will do anything to fulfill their insatiable lust for power, and are implacably merciless and malicious towards any who oppose them. Subterfuge and projection is their game; scapegoating and blaming the victim for their own wrongdoing is a favorite ploy. They are too arrogant to ever admit their own mistakes and wrongdoing, for they deny responsibility for the consequence of their actions. The predator demon is ego in its most primitive and malignant form. Addiction and denial are sure signs of his presence.

To name a persistent or recurring delusional mindset in a person as demonic is to acknowledge its danger. The predator demon can't be reached through reason and cannot be negotiated with. Typically, he can't tolerate a point of view contrary to his own, and his destructive intentions cannot be mitigated through reasonable means. Challenges are met with vengeful, scornful retaliation. (Think: Karl Rove.)

Compassion or mercy is not an appropriate response to the predator demon until he has been defeated and contained. He has no respect for compassion. He will only use it against you. If you give him an inch, he'll take a mile. Our first actions must be to recognize him, protect ourselves from his devastation, and ultimately deprive him of his murderous energy."

I think it's time for me to go...

[hippiechick]

7. Wow, that sounds just like Cheney !

:scared: