tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937957152233636023.comments2023-04-18T02:07:09.564-07:00The Cosmic MirrorGary Gemmill and George Kraus:http://www.blogger.com/profile/10378280586895581568noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937957152233636023.post-64404964580998335872009-05-17T20:56:00.000-07:002009-05-17T20:56:00.000-07:00My take on Ms. Prejean's answer to the gay marriag...My take on Ms. Prejean's answer to the gay marriage question was also that she gave a stereotypically "male" answer when a stereotypically "female" answer was expected. That must have lost her points. When I first read her response, I was put off by it on a gut level. I guess first and foremost because I personally believe in gay marriage, but more importantly for this discussion, I think I was also put off by her direct "male" response style which, coming from a woman seemed too glib and insensitive. As much as I would like to think that I am a "progressive" woman myself, and support women who are also in touch with their "male" sides, I realize that I am still strongly and subconsciously affected by culturally established gender role expectations, having internalized some of them. I think my different reactions to her represented my own cosmic mirror at work and stirred up some conflicts within myself about gender role expectations. Outside of the personal level, and looking at this on a broader scale, the topic of how culture serves as a cosmic mirror to shape the individual, and vice-versa, is fascinating. In a different culture or at a different time in the evolution of our culture, having taken nude photos may not have been such a controversial issue for Ms. Prejean. Thanks for the thought-provoking and enlightening discussion! KathiKathinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937957152233636023.post-68663914740923723752009-04-28T22:04:00.000-07:002009-04-28T22:04:00.000-07:00Having done much shadow work myself, I can attest ...Having done much shadow work myself, I can attest to value of the process (which is on-going and always freeing.) I like the way you use stories in "current events" as a mirror.<br /><br />Like Kymberlee, I'm curious to know what process your book offers for claiming denied parts and integrating them into our 'new' selves.<br /><br />Congratulations on your book!Betsy Guttinghttp://betsygutting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937957152233636023.post-60935986428068509972009-04-27T11:43:00.000-07:002009-04-27T11:43:00.000-07:00Man, have I lived that! Not the whole "indulging ...Man, have I lived that! Not the whole "indulging in prostitutes" thing but swinging from one place to the other, falling hard off of the pedestal, etc. It's PAINFUL and, yet, seems to be the work of the soul.<br /><br />Does your book address how to move to the middle? I feel like I have a lot more awareness of my own shadow and see the polarities but I'm still really working on integration. I feel like just watching myself do what I do (i.e., being conscious) is helpful but I feel like some concrete tools would be helpful.Kymberleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05484317586820198340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937957152233636023.post-70335885503568371482009-04-27T10:46:00.000-07:002009-04-27T10:46:00.000-07:00I have to say I think you're kind of giving Murdoc...I have to say I think you're kind of giving Murdoch too much credit for being in denial. I agree wholeheartedly with the concept of the Cosmic Mirror and see it constantly in my own psyche (ah, the glorious double-edged sword of awareness!), however, I honestly believe they knew EXACTLY what they were doing with that cartoon and apologized because of the public outcry. <br /><br />Perhaps the real scapegoat is Murdoch. I see a lot of people who see him doing these outrageous things and get angry at him for this behavior. I attempt to use experiences like this to see where prejudice lives in my own heart. I have a redneck or hyper-conservative "ism" inside of me that gets reflected back in these moments. <br /><br />The Cosmic Mirror never lies if we have the courage to look into, that's for sure.<br /><br />Thank you for your offering. Good, juicy stuff.Kymberleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05484317586820198340noreply@blogger.com