These are challenging times.  The pandemic has continued now for six months.  Over 162,000 Americans have died.  Five million people in America have experienced COVID-19.  It is sad.  We don't know when it will end.

Every day can be difficult.  There is the continuous grieving of losses -- loss of freedom, loss of physical touch from loved ones, loss of familiar daily routines, loss of income, loss of security and safety.

There is a great deal of anger, rage, and violence across the country.  Hate groups, racists, and other hostile people are acting out.  Cities, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, have witnessed arson, looting, and increased homicides.  

We may mistrust those in charge -- the political leaders, the police, and others.  Where do we find stability in this time of unrest and upheaval?

How do we get through it?  We can pray and connect spiritually.  We can live in gratitude for every little opportunity, every sunny day, every beautiful creation of nature.

In his book, "Ordinary Magic:  Everyday Life as a Spiritual Path," John Welwood reminds us there is magic in simple things.  There are spiritual opportunities all around us.  During the last six months I have tried to notice more trees and flowers, and pay attention to details I have previously ignored.

Here are some possible strategies for managing the uncertainty, stress and anxiety of these challenging days:

1. Create routines which are enjoyable.
2. Find some pleasure in small, mundane tasks.
3. Connect with several people daily through electronic devices, mail, or telephone.
4. Practice living in gratitude every minute.
5. Don't take anything for granted -- health, eyesight, ability to walk, breathing, energy level, etc.
6. Be there to support others by listening to their stories.
7. Read spiritually uplifting books, articles.
8. Watch podcasts and videos which promote love, connection, and meaningful living.
9. Help the poor and hungry through monetary gifts and service.
10. Support spiritual institutions which focus on   oneness and connecting.
11. Pray for world peace, and love and acceptance of all diverse groups of people.
12. Take care of your physical health.
13. Take epsom salt baths and engage in calming relaxing activities.
14. Be safe-- wear masks, practice social distancing, wash hands and pray that others learn to respect everyone's safety.
15. Limit the amount of negative news you are exposed to.  Pray for our leaders.
16. Eat healthy food, and savor every bite.
17. Grow vegetables and flowers if you can.
18. Thank all the caregivers and workers who work for our health and well-being across the planet.
19. Grieve losses, and be sad about the current state of turmoil.
20. See beyond appearances and know that God is greater and is our constant support.

It is time to love one's neighbor as oneself.  It is time to ignore petty arguments and stay focused on love, peace and spiritual connection.

Peace and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

When I was a young child, I heard some people say to me, "You're too smart for your own good."

I believe there has always been a sentiment of anti-intellectualism in America.  This means that a person who studies, reads, learns, and goes to school for many years is sometimes labeled as an "egghead," "nerd" or "wierdo."

There is an association of highly trained and educated people as being out of touch with reality, or somehow seeing themselves as superior to others.  This is intellectual snobbism.

Many bright, creative, educated people are as far from that as possible.  They are dedicated citizens who want to use their knowledge to help society grow intellectually, spiritually and emotionally, and maintain good mental and physical health.

Experts write the books, create the videos and maintain a presence in the public eye.  Some supposed "experts" are phonies and don't know what they are talking about.  However, most of them have something of extreme value to share with others.

Some anti-intellectualism comes from resentment of experts for the power they have.  Other people are envious because they don't believe they have the brain-power to study, read, and explore in depth certain areas.

The experts who have studied COVID-19 have worked long and hard to understand their field.  If they tell people to wear masks in public and keep a social distance of at least six feet, they are not doing this to inconvenience people.  They are trying to protect all of us from becoming ill and dying.  It is for social interest, for the good of society as a whole.

As some Americans refuse to listen the expert epidemiologists, we see death rates from the virus rise.  More and more people are infected.  So far, in America, over 135,000 people have died from the Corona Virus.  More than 3 million people in America have been infected by the virus.

I believe the anti-intellectual bias in America is due to the mistaken belief that freedom means one can do whatever he or she wants.  Immediate gratification becomes an addiction.   Some additional beliefs:  Nobody is going to tell me what to do.  The experts are pompous idiots who don't know what they are talking about. 

As we have re-opened stores, restaurants, and businesses, and are planning to re-open schools, the death rate will probably rise higher.  The intellectual experts have warned us about this.  It is challenging and also sad to watch some people ignore their suggestions, keep this pandemic killing more people and continuing longer.

Peace and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

1.  PERSONAL/EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL

From:  I feel alone and abandoned
To:  I feel loved and connected to all of creation

From:  I don't think I'm worthy of being loved
To:  I am worthy of love just as I am

From:  I live in shame, and will never be enough, have enough
To:  I love myself.  I have everything I need, and I am more than enough

From:  The world revolves around me
To:  I am part of the Universe, and it is all significant

From:  My worth comes from what others think of me
To:  My worth comes from within my very being, and my spiritual connection

From:  I dwell on the past, and worry about the future
To:  I live in the moment with gratitude, love and acceptance

From:  I am detached and aimless
To:  I have meaning and purpose in my life

     2.  SOCIAL

From: Nobody is worth trusting
To:  I am selective about who I trust and trust myself and life itself.

From:  I need to dominate and control others, especially those who are beneath me in status and power
To:  I value and respect that all others are Divine creations and have a right to express their own uniqueness

From:  I have to be better than everyone
To:  I don't need to compare my self to anyone

From:  I compete with others all the time
To:  I focus on collaboration, cooperation, and creating peace with others

From:  Those at the bottom are worthless and deserve to be there
To:  I am committed to help all others despite their situation and social status

From:  My group is the most important and matters most 
To:  I am here on this planet to bring peace, love and meaning to everyone I can

     3.  POLITICAL

From:  We must be the strongest, most powerful nation in the world
To:  We must work hard to feed everyone, and keep everyone safe

From:  We will kill anyone who gets in our way 
To:  We work for peace, non-violence, and love as the only way to live 

    4.  ENVIRONMENTAL

From:  The earth and its resources are for me to use as I wish -- and I don't have to conserve anything
To:  I am mindful of ecology, and know that we need to preserve the air, earth, and water of this planet

    5.  PHILOSOPHICAL/INTELLECTUAL

From:  There is a scarcity of resources and I must take anything I need
To:  There is an abundance of resources --enough for everyone to share.  I am committed to sharing.

From:  We are separate and competing with each other 
To:  We are all one, sacred and loving, peaceful and connected

From:  I know everything I need to know
To:  I am always open to learning new ideas and growing

Who Is a Racist?   What Do We See When We See a Person of Color?

There is a lot of talk about racism these days since the recent murdering of numerous Black men and women.  Am I a racist?  Are you a racist?  Is our system racist?

We live in the American empire which is a racist culture.  All empires are racist, classist, sexist, ageist.  They discriminate between the rich and poor, Black and White, gay and straight, etc.  The American Empire is no different than any other empire.  It was founded by people who experienced oppression, and then oppressed Native Americans, the ones who were already here.  That is called genocide.

"Isms" all imply better than/worse then.  This hierarchical thinking is the cornerstone of Empire Consciousness.  Fear, belief in scarcity, and anxiety fuel the desire to get more, own more, have more, be more -- than someone else.  All Empire Systems are hierarchical.  Those at the bottom are viewed as less worthy tn those at the top.  There is constant scrambling to get to the top, stay at the top once you get there.  And there is the dehumanization of anyone who is different, and not at the top.

We are programmed by Empire Consciousness.  We are taught early on that some are more entitled than others because of who they are, how they look, or their racial  backgrounds or other characteristics.  We are taught to fear, hate, discriminate, and oppress those who are "different," usually meaning "inferior."

So when we see a person of color, we cannot be "colorblind."  We see them as brown, black, yellow, red, etc.  Seeing them as the race they are does not make a person a racist.  It is how we view them, the attributes we ascribe to them, the way we treat them which determine whether we our actions are racially motivated.  

Jesus, the creator of the Christian tradition, taught people to see everyone as worthy, lovable, and deserving of a meaningful and prosperous life.  This Oneness Consciousness was his alternative answer to the Empire Consciousness he experienced all around him.

The Unity belief system says that we are can notice the Divine in every person, no matter of their race, class, sexual orientation, age, etc.  So, racism comes from making certain assumptions about a person of color.  You can still see them as Black.  You know that Black lives matter.  And you know there is the same Divinity in them as is in you.  That is more complicated than the question, "Are you a racist?"  

White, Christian, upper class, able-bodied, heterosexual males have had more options and opportunities than others.  Acknowledging this means that some people may believe they are more entitled than others.  It is challenging to empathize and truly understand the oppression, pain and suffering that many others of differing backgrounds have experienced.  So, we are different, diverse in that way.  

However, we are alike in our Godlikeness.  So Oneness Consciousness is acknowledgement of the EXTERNAL situation of the person in their uniqueness.  It also offers the awareness of the Divine Interconnection of the INTERNAL nature all people.  We are separate and ONE at the same time.

Empire Consciousness separates, isolates, and discriminates. Oneness Consciousness encourages deep connection, seeing the Divinity, beauty and lovability of ALL PEOPLE.

Racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, ableism -- all about limiting opportunities, choices, and access of a group of people out of fear and the need to feel superior.

Systemic racism is the continual limitation by economic, educational, political, health care and social institutions to provide access to prosperity and freedom for certain groups.  We must realize that no one is safe until everyone is safe.  No one is really free until everyone is really free.  Empire Consciousness is built on fear, oppression, and suppression of individuals and groups.

We can experience both the uniqueness (age, race, abilities, class, sexual orientation, etc.) of a person as well as the inner beauty and Divinity of that person.  We are not "colorblind," but we can ALSO deep our spiritual consciousness to experience the "Oneness of us all."

We can work to change institutional racism, systemic racism.  We can work on moving from Empire Consciousness to Oneness Consciousness for the good of all creatures of the Universe.

Love and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

It is our DESTINY to see the DIVINITY in all of the DIVERSITY around us.  There is one world, one people, one power, one energy, and one heart.  ONENESS

Within this collective ONENESS is individuality, uniqueness and a multiplicity of traits, characteristics, beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes.  There are races, genders, ages, abilities, sexual orientations and identities - but we are all ONE.

Our purpose in life, our soul purpose, our DESTINY is to bring consciousness in ourselves and others to the place seeing the Godlikeness, the ultimate DIVINIY in the complicated DIVERSITY.

Notice how we are different in our appearances, but similar in our breathing.  Breath is life, spirit, energy. There is one breath, one spirit and one collective energy.

In this world, it is important to believe that there is enough to share.  There is enough to last.  If we feed each other, none of us will starve.  It is in hoarding that we create scarcity.  Our beliefs determine our reality.

Peace and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

Every week, we learn that another Caucasian policeman has killed a young black man.  There is outrage and violence follows.  People try to educate police, and proclaim that “Black Lives Matter.”  And others counter with, “All lives matter.”  Of course they do.  But that reply misses the systemic inequity.  

Despite the training, the murdering goes on.  Why?  It is related to fear and mistrust, which is cross-generational – going all the way back to slavery.  

Samuel Osherson, in “Finding Our Fathers,” states that sons carry within them the unhealed wounds of their fathers. I believe it goes even further. The unhealed wounds of grandfathers and great grandfathers are also carried around in son’s hearts.  

Slavery was a time when Black lives didn’t matter.  Black families were divided, children going to one slaveholder, mother going to another, father to still another.  Black people were not seen as people.  They were property.  

When  White men raped Black women, nothing was done.  In fact, Black men were accused of raping white women and strung up on trees by gangs of White men.   Many more White men raped Black women than Black men rape White women.  White men felt guilt about this, and began to fear retaliation from Black men.  Black men had no reason to trust wealthy White slaveholders.  

Fear and mistrust.  It is cross-generational – going way back.  White men feared the power of the Black man.  

Mythology was created about the prowess and power of Black men.  White men  believed this power must be held in check.  Black men knew they wouldn’t be treated fairly in a White judicial system. Over and over gain, Black men watched their brothers being mistrusted, and killed by White society.  

So, when a White cop sees a young Black  man, especially in some potentially volatile situation, the White man’s fear and mistrust takes over.  He threatens the Black man.  The Black man doesn’t trust that getting arrested will lead to a fair trial.  He believes his life is over.  So he rebels, and the White cop shoots.  The cop doesn’t just shoot to disarm, but shoots to kill.  

This is impulsive behavior based on centuries of mistrust.  White cops do not deal with  cross-generational wounding, and Black men have never had the luxury of working through their pain and anger.  This type of violence can only stop when we face the historical facts, understand the power of the wounding, and work to truly heal what has happened over and over again.

Quick fixes don’t work.  Of course, “Black Lives Matter.”  It will take deep emotional work for that to sink in to a visceral level. We have to talk about slavery and social injustice.  We have to face the power of the deep wound.

Peace and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

This article originally appeared here in the Twin Cities Men's Center newsletter, April / May 2016 edition.

To dehumanize people means to create in image of them that presents them as less than human.  They are not really worthy of the rights, considerations, and fair  treatment by others.  Dehumanization is part of Empire Consciousness, which is about power, domination, control, and shaming.  People at the bottom are usually dehumanized, made to be considered  "less than," as they are oppressed.

Many minority groups have been stereotyped and dehumanized over the centuries.  Native Americans, Jews, Blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities have been portrayed by false images of them or by exaggerating one aspect of them. Slavery has existed for many centuries, and slaves are always dehumanized.

The Bible discusses how the Jews were enslaved to the Egyptians.  Others were enslaved as well during that time.  Caste systems and class systems were present in biblical times.

During the 1800's in America, Africans were imported into slavery.  Slaves were bought and sold.  Families were destroyed.  Upper class White slave owners hired lower class White people to police the slaves.  Lighter skinned Black people were servants in the house.  White lower class people were not servants--they were the militia. This created a divide between Black and White lower classes.  The fear was that if they were united, they might overthrow the land-owner and slaveholder, revolt, and flee to freedom.  It was an intentional way for the wealthy to divide and conquer.

Systemic racism and classism is how Empires work. One of the by-products of Empire Consciousness and hierarchy is fear.  Those at the bottom fear those at the top who wield power over them.  Those at the top fear rebellion and retaliation from those at the bottom.  

There is also a deep reservoir of guilt in those who dominate and oppress others.  Deep down they know they are destroying the lives of others.  This guilt is covered over by justifications.  "They asked for it.  They aren't really human anyway, so they deserve to be kept down, limited, punished, controlled, dominated, killed."  Fear on both sides escalates into violence.  So, Empire Consciousness always results in suffering, oppression, fear, guilt, shame, rage, and violence.  

A consciousness shift from Empire Consciousness to Oneness Consciousness is the ONLY way we can move out of the hell that human beings have created over and over again.  Oneness Consciousness is seeing the oneness, connection and sameness in each person.  We are equal and we are ONE.

Peace and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

In these days of COVID-19, we are told to wear masks and engage in social distancing in public places by the Center for Disease Control.  This is not to protect us, but to protect others from anything we could spread.  We may have the virus and be asymptomatic.  Or, we could be carriers.

We don't know.  Unless we are tested every day, we do not know if we could infect other people.  However, since tests are not always perfect, one could have the virus and still test negative.  In this time, anything is possible.

Why do some people refuse to wear masks?  They may not understand that wearing a mask is for the sake of others, not oneself.  Masks do not protect the wearer from contracting the disease. Some people may believe that they CAN'T infect others, or if they did, it doesn't matter that much.  Wearing a mask is about caring for others' well-being and good health.  It is a sign of caution, respect, compassion, and love for the community.

Diseases like COVID-19 spread in the air  They are caught easily by others.  Sneezing, spitting, even talking could send out harmful disease particles.

So, we can tell who is concerned about the health of the community and who is not by their "mask" behavior.  Some people don't think they can get sick.  The reality is that we have close to 100,000 deaths so far in this country -- almost 1,000 in Minnesota.  People of all ages have died.  No one is immune to it.  Some people thought children were not likely to contract the virus.  Now, we learn that many children are dying from it.

Social distancing is not easy for some people who live in crowded conditions.  The elderly, the poor, and racial minorities who are more likely forced into public contact suffer the most.  Staying six feet apart is a luxury.

My mask was hand-made by a relative.  It has a Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf print on it.  I have five other masks to wear in case this one needs washing.

We may have to sacrifice longer than we would like.  But, it is time to think about being more careful, rather than less careful.

Love and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

GRIEVING OUR LOSSES

So many people are missing out on in-person celebrations these days.   As we move through Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations this spring and summer, we are forced to develop other ways of saying, "Congratulations, You Made It!"

People are postponing celebrations, and hoping the future will allow more of the typical connected experiences.  One of the saddest aspects of COVID-19 is people dying alone, without the comfort and physical presence of their loved ones.  

We have car parades, and cheering from balconies.  We have signs and balloons, and other ways of marking major accomplishments, changes, and shifts

This is probably not a major issue for people who are suffering in hospitals, people who are homeless and people who are starving.  

How does one stay living in gratitude when some of the
major joys have removed from our every day lives?

WE ARE SO BLESSED!

Those who are caring for the sick (doctors, nurses, aides) without the proper protective gear are to be appreciated for their courage, expertise, and compassion.

There are so many working tirelessly at finding a vaccine, developing and disseminating tests, feeding the hungry, and maintaining social structures.  There are millions of teachers who are adjusting to virtual classrooms.  Small business owners are struggling to keep their families housed and fed.

Let us pray for all those who are in need.  Let us thank God for being with us in the midst of this challenging experience.  

Our lives are different, and will probably be different because of this epidemic.

STAY CONNECTED!

We can connect in many different ways.  Some of us call 25 people weekly to check in.  We offer help to anyone who needs help.  Unity Minneapolis provides angels during this time who are available to shop for food for people who are at risk if they go to stores.

We remember that we are strong, and God is even stronger.

Love, peace and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

I have been hearing about how decisions are being made when there are limited medical supplies such as ventilators.  Younger people receive preferential treatment over the elderly.  It is assumed that once one is past 70, one has lived a full life and is probably ready to die.  

False, unfair and the ultimate sign of ageism.

I know fifty or more vibrant people in their seventies and eighties.  They are intelligent, agile, and capable of clear, complex and creative thought.  

Here is one example:  One man, close to 90, regularly rides the stationery recumbent bike next to mine at the YMCA.  The Y is now closed for exercising, so I don't see him very much.  However, he would buy low cost epsom salts at Costco for me, and then we would exchange the bags for cash in the Y parking lot.  He told the Y staff we had a deal going on in the parking lot, and that he had white powder that I was buying. They chuckled.  He calls me when he is going to Costco.  We still make that exchange -- except in a different parking lot.  

Many of my friends are older, and leading vibrant lives.  They are writers, artists, group members, readers, public speakers, volunteers, and excellent communicators.  They have made incredible contributions to society and plan on making many more.  They are not ready to go.  They may be more susceptible to be infected by COVID-19 than others.  However, they have had many diverse experiences, and many of them have learned valuable life lessons only time and healthy reflection can provide.

So, in this time of caution and concern, let us remember that all human beings are God's children, worthy of  saving and worthy of living.  

Love, peace and blessings,

Mike Obsatz