Here we are, on the inevitable topic of death. Anyone who knows me understands that despite being an incredibly optimistic and idealistic person, I am also never afraid to speak about what is real.
In all honesty, due to recent tragedies close to me, this topic has felt too close to home. To be transparently raw, in the past week that I am writing this, I have lost a soul brother, honored the anniversary of a soul sister’s passing, and processed a mass shooting near my hometown.
Everyone has their own valid interpretations of death and the circumstances that surround them. To me, each of these unique cases feel like deep wounds of injustice. While the concept of the “War of Good against Evil” may sound tacky to some and inaccurate to others, due to my experiences, I cannot help but at least humor these scenarios through such a lens.
Personal Reflections
My soul sister who passed two years ago was challenged her entire life by a rare, nearly incurable illness. From my research, I believe it to be anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, most commonly known as the true disease from the best-selling novel and movie, Brain on Fire.
For those who are even diagnosed with the intense illness, there are either 1) no signs of malfunction in the body, brain, organs etc. or 2) there is a tumor in the ovaries that grows teeth and nails. Spooky, can we deny?
I believe spiritual and physical illnesses are not separate. We live in a multi-dimensional reality and therefore we can be both energetically and physically sick at the same time. From my experience living with this friend in a haunted apartment (yes, more on this to come), I firmly believe a dark entity took advantage of her physical vulnerability and exasperated the illness she already had.
My soul brother who recently passed was mentally, emotionally and physically tortured by entities that did not want him to fulfill his soul purpose on this planet. Loaded sentence, I know, but I believe this to be true because I lived it alongside him. Together, we combated unwanted spirits that ignited a slew of intense paranormal activity in my home upon his first visit. He repeatedly told me that if he ever died, it would be because of those spirits. In my honoring of his life, I choose to believe him.
Energetic “Evil” Influences
As I’ve been reflecting upon the horrific Gilroy Garlic Festival mass shooting, I have wracked my brain asking myself, “How could someone do this?” What could ever possibly motivate someone to carry out such a heinous act of hate?
Clearly, intense and complex societal issues are at play: toxic yet fragile masculinity, xenophobia, misogyny, entitlement of privilege, normalized violence, the epidemic of loneliness, incapability to manage emotions, etc etc. Was all this and more just the perfect concoction for such a tragedy, or was there something else that pushed the perpetrator over the edge?
Declaring that the shooter is “evil” or even thinking he could have been “possessed” by a spirit does not seem fair to the heart-breaking truth that humans have the capacity to heartlessly kill. We cannot blame his horrible decisions on a concept or energy outside of him, even if such influences did perpetuate these actions.
From my experience performing reiki energy healing and etheric surgery, I know and believe that undesirable entities can attach to our energy bodies and aggravate behaviors within us. These can be subtle, but overtime if they are fed by the “host,” can push someone over the edge. Again, this isn’t to place accountability on a potential spirit that may have encouraged the shooter, but it is a perspective to consider that there are entities out there that want humans to perpetuate pain against each other. These spirits feed off our fear and suffering.
How often have you heard of a violent person upon reflection say that they ‘heard’ a voice tell them to commit an act of violence? Sure, maybe this is an aspect of their subconscious. But what can we say for the young girls who killed their friend in honor of the “Slenderman” entity? Could it really be all in their imagination, enough that they follow through with such fantasies? Do pre-teen girls have the capacity to act so evil completely on their own accord?
Love Always Wins
Regardless of what any of the influences truly are in a variety of cases, the most important question remains: what can we do to stop needless suffering, violence and death?
Such a loaded question feels overwhelming at first, doesn’t it? It’s not like we can just put on our superman capes and punch “evil” in the face.
The reality is, the capacity for “good” and “evil” is within each of us. Our true character is what defines us in the balance of it. In our convoluted human experience, the scales can tip in either direction throughout our lifetimes. And that’s okay, because “good” cannot even exist without the contrast of “evil.” They are the yin and yang of life itself; we will never have one without the other (as much as a heavenly utopia of pure love and peace sounds 10/10 great).
The trick to “defeating evil” is not shunning it or killing it in retaliation. “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” doesn’t it? While self-defense and avenging in the name of justice is completely important and valid in balancing the scales, are we still the “good people” if we become blood-thirsty in the pursuit? (Take a look at Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones)
Ultimately, what I’ve learned from years of ghost-busting (yes, I’ll share more of that later), is that the most effective way to defeat “evil” is by loving it. Unconditionally showering such forces with love and compassion withers them to their core. Doesn’t mean you have to forgive or even be nice.
The Hindu Goddess Kali Durga is a perfect archetype for this: she can be seen or depicted in a variety of forms, from the gentle cosmic mother to the fierce, fiery demon-hunter. She balances the scales between discernment and compassion by burning away that which does not serve the highest good of all, but does so intensely with the conviction that destruction is oftentimes necessary for love to fully blossom. She slays the heads off of demons with love for them at the same time, so that their souls may return to source energy and be reincarnated into a better evolution.
Demons, ghosts and violent humans alike can never take your joy, power or love away from you. It is your most unstoppable strength and these qualities live infinitely within your soul, no matter how dark or challenged it may feel.
So I think about the perpetrators of violence and again I ask, what is it that motivates them? Regardless of whether another entity’s influences are afoot, I see deep wounds of pain and suffering behind their veils of hate. They are oftentimes afraid of losing their own power (which is an illusion in itself), so hiding behind a gun gives them a false sense of strength and control. They feel lonely or lacking of self, so they resent those who seem it have it better than them. They are tired of feeling depressed, anxious, insecure, jealous, so they project those feelings into hatred and fury. At least with anger, they can pretend to be strong.
Then they build emotional walls to keep folks from entering into their heart-space. They are too cowardly to allow help. They shut people off who seek to help them through therapy or mental support because it makes them feel more vulnerable.
I believe that if real, unconditional love would be allowed into the hearts of these perpetrators, perhaps the outcomes would be different.
By no means am I saying that if women were “loving” to the Santa Barbara shooter Elliot Roger maybe no one would have died. No, women do not owe him or anyone anything, not even love. But we can clearly see from his misogynistic manifesto that a lack of love and acceptance in his life is what drove him to violent projections of his insecurities.
Does this mean all incels and white supremacists need a good hug to see the err in their ways? Maybe it’s a place to start. I don’t owe them one, though, and neither do you. There is no justification for violence or oppression, even if one is affected by an external force.
At the same time, we collectively need to find a way to heal the toxic oppression, hatred and resentment that is brewing in our society. Shunning and shaming it results in more fury from these already sensitive people, so how else do we stop this suffering from the source?
Choose Fierce, Warrior Love
I applaud social workers who see the pain and trauma veiled behind the rhetoric of hate groups and work to bring these folks back to the reality of love. That is brave and necessary work. And while that is not the job for each and every one of us, it is important to consider that at the end of the day: love is always the answer, love always wins, and love doesn’t always have to be gentle and nice.
We can be fiercely, justifiably angry in our pursuit of balancing love in the world. We can be aggressive in defending what is really right. We can be strong in what we know is true to our hearts.
At the same time, we can never forget that love is what truly binds us all together in our communities and on this entire planet. We have the power to create love between all of us, whether from beautiful relationships or just reminding someone on the bus with a sincere smile. Let’s bring the love back. During these times, we have to look out for each other, via community support networks or just being a good friend. We are living in too troubling times to give up on hope. We can create the world we want to live in.
What can I do?
It can start small, but the ripple effects are unstoppable.
- Smile to your neighbors. Talk to them. Make your neighborhood feel safe, loving and homey.
- Be kind to strangers. Look them in the eyes and acknowledge their presence.
- See houseless people as humans a part of your community. Gift them socks, water and other resources.
- Start talking to the young men in your life about topics that matter. Be a safe person for them to talk about their emotions honestly with.
- Bring young men together for “Men’s Circles,” or gatherings in which men can sincerely connect via their hearts and emotions.
- Talk to the women in your life. Ask them how they are doing and if they need help with anything.
- Attend or start a “Women’s Circle,” and empower women to emotionally support one another on a regular, heart-felt basis.
- Vote for what you believe in. Educate yourself on the political matters that are impacting our worlds.
- Speak to others about how you feel and what you think. Your voice and perspective is necessary to healthy, collective dialogues.
- Ask appropriate questions.
- Take care of yourself. Breathe deeply often. Give yourself time to rest. It’s important and we need you.
- Volunteer and donate with an organization that speaks to your morals, ethics and beliefs.
- Give back to the planet by picking up litter wherever you are, sowing local and pollinator-friendly plants, leaving out water for thirsty animals.
- Use your social media habits for good by spreading awareness about what matters in making this world a better place.
- Read quality books. Watch accurate documentaries. Support righteous journalism. Open your perspective.
- Call your senators! It’s the most effective way to get them to act in your favor. Go canvassing with a political movement you believe in.
Above all else: See Love. Choose Love. Be Love.
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