Dualisms deny the wholism of life
and encourage us to project
our personal and social shadows
onto some external scapegoat
who we imagine as the source of all our problems
instead of facing and integrating our shadow –
if all is One, you must own your shadow.
Our self-image is our false self –
it contains none of our shadow –
the stuff we deny and repress about ourselves –
the self-image is a projection of our ideal/not real self.
It is because of men’s projection/disconnection
with their shadow/body/emotions/God
that we have rape/gun violence/war.
Unredeemed men love domination/patriarchy
and “dominator hierarchies” which cause oppression
whereas “growth hierarchies” end oppression
and, contrary to feminist thought
it is a disaster when all hierarchies are condemned –
nothing gets done.
In Christianity, a true prophet does not just critique
the present order, s/he also offers an alternative vision
of a different order of peace/justice/love.
In a different order, the shadow is integrated
tenderness of the awakened heart
is always accessible,
and as in Buddhism,
Christians celebrate caring/appreciation/gratitude
in poetry/dance/sculpture/music/all art.
In joy and sorrow
losing our small ego
results in seeing the pain and beauty of the world
and a never-ending creative outflow
of ecstasy and grief is liberated.
Intelligent Christian Spirituality 