What are you a stand for?

[secrets0stolen]

Angela's post on another thread got me excited. I'll quote it here:

Amy, I've been thinking about how to articulate my answer to this, because I wanted to describe it in a way that you can see how important it is for me.

Being a stand means making a declaration for yourself, either out loud or to yourself, and keeping your word to yourself as a matter of integrity. It is a creation -- something that you invent -- it is a context from which to live your life.

A declaration is a special kind of statement -- it's not an assertion, which is something that is either true or false, accurate or inaccurate. A declaration is a statement that comes from your inside and moves outward -- there is nothing to prove or defend or validate, it is simply what you invent for yourself as a place to stand.

So, while for an assertion (like, "If you don't accept the Flying Spaghetti Monster as your personal savior, you'll go to hell's kitchen" or "raw veganism is the best diet for everybody" or "I am the smartest person on the planet") may reasonably have you be called on for proof or validation of its trueness or accuracy, a declaration is a statement only for yourself of who you fully choose to be for yourself, whether you're experiencing it in that moment or not. As a matter of integrity, if you're not experiencing it, there's something for you to generate or let go of so that you're experiencing yourself as being what you stand for. But there's never a need for you to defend yourself, to prove your declaration is true or valid or worthy -- and it is certainly not something that must make you feel bad or frustrated or angry or conflicted about if it's not present, for whatever reason -- it is simply being what you say you are a stand for being.

What does it look like in real life? Well, I am a stand for Responsibility and I am a stand for Choice. Can you see me being those stands? It doesn't mean *making* others be responsible, but it does mean being at cause in my life (using a perspective of being at cause), and lately, being at cause in the matter of other people being at cause (which is not *making* people use that perspective, but generating being at cause in more and more powerful ways, such that I make available the resource of being at cause for others more skillfully and effectively. Same with choice -- it's something I stand for making available for myself and others as a resource -- they (and I) always have the choice in whether or not they want to use that resource. (which is kind of funny. )

Sometimes people attempt to be a stand by making an assertion. But that doesn't tend to work out so well, because people will, of course, challenge the trueness, accuracy, and validity of what is being asserted. So instead of generating what they want to generate, or making it available to others as a resource, they find themselves constantly defending, arguing, or withdrawing. They find themselves mired in conflict when what they really wanted was to make a positive difference. The trouble is assertions as a stand tend to occur as oppressive and interventionist -- as a *should(n't)* and therefore something that, as resistance, garners resistance. If you're fighting and defending, you're probably not generating whatever it is you're a stand for -- unless you are being a stand for fighting and defensiveness.

So I don't recommend assertions as a place to stand.

But you can see how much fun it is when someone is unstoppably being a stand for something, yes? It looks to me like James81, for instance, is being a stand for Exploration, and by being Exploration he also makes it available for others - as inspiration to explore or maybe just to enjoy exploring his exploration.

Being a stand is distinguishing and articulating what you value and living it!

So in the context of feminism, making an assertion might look like: "Women should have equal rights with men." Whereas being a stand might look more like: "I am a stand for equal rights for all people." It's a different place to come from, you see? And there's a difference in the power one has in standing in one place or the other, too.

Thanks for listening.

I've been and will continue to think about it. In the meantime I thought I'd post this thread.

What are you a stand for?

[ssandra]

Thanks for quoting this and making this thread! Fun to think about.

the first thing that came to my mind was :

Joy and Freedom

that's what I want people to have. That is what I have, and when I don't feel that I realize that there is something I'm not seeing or can learn from.

[Angelique]

Conscious freedom and hella kick-ass parties.

Ditto, I love this thread!

[spacecadetglow]

Imagination. Also, kick-ass parties. I can't throw them right now cause I live with my rents, but this is about BEING something, right?! I AM a kick-ass party!

[secrets0stolen]

What I thought of was:

Ecology and Truth

I'm mean Ecology in the broadest sense of win-win, synergy, and the way everything relates--but I also mean it in the common sense of the natural, living world. I also mean it as a way of thinking about the world.

And I mean Truth in the less-wrong, best approximation, model of our Universe and ourselves kind of truth; as well as the fundamental, experiential kind of Truth. I also don't mean any particular truth, but the pursuit of Truth and the collective effort to come to continually evolve our knowledge and understanding.

Understanding and Discovery are two mirror concepts that might help the feeling of the words I'm saying.

[st33med]

Standing for:

Love, Empowerment, and Courage.

I am a creature of unending love that wants to share and spread my love.
I seek empowerment in myself and want to show ways of being empowered to others.
I take courage to look at myself and my beliefs and my current situation to change what is needed.

[Cochonette]

I'm a stand for everyone in this thread.

[James81]

Originally Posted by spacecadetglow

Imagination. Also, kick-ass parties. I can't throw them right now cause I live with my rents, but this is about BEING something, right?! I AM a kick-ass party!

One of the first ideas that rolled me into the idea of how powerful being a belief was happened about 18 months ago now. I've talked about this a bajillion times around here since then, but your post made me think of it again and I always like to post it when something reminds me of it.

I was out of town, visiting a family member at his house on the lake a few hours away for the weekend. We all went out to the bar the last night I was there, and somewhere in the middle of the night I overheard him telling one of his friends at our table (and I can't remember what spurred the conversation), but he said (and I'm loosely quoting):

"A lot of people talk about going to great places and doing great things. But I don't see it like that. I believe that I am a great place to be, and, as such, I continually find myself wanting to bring people into my world so that they can experience all the great things I have to offer."

That quote literally changed my life. Up until that moment, I couldn't even fathom *being* what I wanted to experience in my life, and I had literally no idea what it was like to make such a bold shift in my beliefs like that.

I carried that quote home with me that weekend, and that week I went into work, recognizing that I am a great place to be. And whenever I would imagine that, I found myself acting in completely different ways. I was outgoing. I was fun. I was laughing (and making people laugh). I was talkative and open with everybody I came across. It was astounding.

I had left work that previous week to go down to his house, and I was quiet and nervous and introverted. And it was like ever since I took that on, I was a changed person. It was through that experience that I moved from being an introvert on the MBTI test to being an extrovert. And I haven't scored as introverted since. And when I made that realization, it paved the way for all the breakthroughs I had since.

I can even remember several people here commenting on how it looked like I was moving towards something *big* in my life, but nobody (least of all myself) could see what it was. I spent a year bumbling down that rabbit hole until I did the gremlin session, which I mark as another giant turning point in my life and coming to a fuller understanding of the very things I'm experiencing now. Healing. Harmony. Charisma. Inspiration. Choice. Perspective. Creation. Transformation. Exploration.

I share that story as a bit of a challenge for you. What if you woke up tomorrow and began to BELIEVE (like really believe) that you are a kick-ass party? What if in each interaction you began to imagine yourself as a kick-ass party and whenever you imagined what you might be doing if you were believing that, you did it, what might happen? Try that for a week and then report the results. (I hope this doesn't come across as advice...it's not...it's more of a challenge, should you choose to accept it.)

****

Anyway, what a great post, Angela! This is what I missed when you were away.

I just listed all the things I feel I am being a stand for in my little story for Amy.

About a week or so ago, I pulled up the interlinear greek translation of the new testament of the bible (religion is one of my fascinations). It's not like a coherent english translation of the new testament of the bible. It's a word for word translation of each greek word in the original text, so, initially reading it kinda seems a bit jumbled.

Anyway, one of the most fascinating things I discovered from that translation isn't necessarily the message itself, but, rather the way in which the greek words are translated. Specifically the heavy focus on "being" that comes through on a direct translation of the words. I imagine, knowing no greek at all, that the greek language must hole a lot of power in the sense of "being." Power that seems to be lost in the English language.

For example, instead of Jesus saying, "You are healed" to someone. The translation is more closely translated as "Be-being healed." What a powerful way to put it! And is it a coincidence that Jesus purportedly healed people by using such language? That is, was the power really coming from Jesus (if you believe that sort of thing, that is), or was the power coming from Jesus reminding people to "be-being" whatever it is you need!

(Don't mean to get religious there, but I think the concept extends beyond just religion or faith or a belief in jesus.)

and it was really funny because it was like immediately after I read those translations, Angela (in the time in which she wasn't posted) showed up in my inbox talking about "being...being at cause for other people being at cause." It was a fun little sync.

And I think it's even *more* powerful than just "being." I really get inspired by the idea of "be-being." For example, instead of being harmony, what if I were to *be* being harmony? That might make your head spin, but to me that makes a whole boatload of sense, and adds just a little more power to the whole thing for me.

And the reason is because I'm not being a noun (or whatever such words are) so much as I am being as if I'm already being harmony. It's a little hard to articulate, and might sound confusing to some. But it's something that makes sense to me. (And it was an idea that Angela explored with me in private a little bit, so I hope she doesn't mind me expounding on my own experience of the same concept openly.)

So, in that sense, I like the idea toward be-being a stand.

[Cochonette]

And the reason is because I'm not being a noun (or whatever such words are) so much as I am being as if I'm already being harmony.

I didn't get it at all until I read that. But, basically, about the Action vs the Actor? Actor as in Identity.

[James81]

Originally Posted by Cochonette

I didn't get it at all until I read that. But, basically, about the Action vs the Actor? Actor as in Identity.

Yes, that's a great way of putting it. "Be-being" adds that element of action that just "being" doesn't have.

It seems more active...more proactive actually...more assertive...and more harmonic to put it such language.

[James81]

For those interested in the actual text I was reading, here's the link:

Online Greek Interlinear Bible

I also made a thread about it a while back. I'll see if I can dig that up.

EDIT: Here's the thread: Reading about Creation in the bible...

That was the Hebrew old testament counterpart.

[spacecadetglow]

Aw, James, great stuff. I've made such great, empowering shifts lately, much as a result of you peeps and these forums, that I think I can very easily take up the challenge to BE "be a kick-ass party." Even though I said it in jest, I like the idea, and the spunk. That's what I go for, so why not?

Really, you guys have no idea. You see me on these forums mostly sorting my ♥♥♥♥♥ out and working through weak areas, but I wish you could see how much more positive and happier and laid back I am in person. I *feel* way different, anyway.

In the spirit of being imagination, I wrote half a new song tonight:

Slow it came to me, in the garden
I think velocity has a way of goin'
to my head
and through me
I can change, oh, I can change again

Sing your blues to me, sing it country
Keep a beat for me, it's in the key of
everything, naturally
I am changed, oh, I am changed again

[Cochonette]

Really, you guys have no idea. You see me on these forums mostly sorting my ♥♥♥♥♥ out and working through weak areas, but I wish you could see how much more positive and happier and laid back I am in person. I *feel* way different, anyway.

I wish I could see you in person, too!
But I enjoy seeing you sort through your ♥♥♥♥♥, lol. We're all here with you, sorting through our ♥♥♥♥♥, too. And I tell you, my in-person friends mostly aren't here with me sorting through it. They get to see the product of sorting through it, more so than the process. They're equally important.

[Angelique]

Amy, you're so f***ing awesome! **happy dance**

[RevDella]

I stand for love and Truth. As a minister, my ministry is founded on the spiritual qualities of love and Truth - teaching the world about God's love and the Universal principles of life.

[Angela]

I am lovin' it!!!

[Lakshyayidhi Lakshmihi]

YouTube - Ice-T "I Must Stand"

"Damn, my mind was twisted in my hustlin days
But God spared me, I got a baby son to raise
And bein black ain't easy, prejudice is real
But health and liberty is all we need for us to build
We gotta come together, unseparated"

I totally jive with this old skool Ice-T song.

I am a stand for strength to the oppressed.

[Solipsist]

Forgive me for having to still translate from the original Angelese, but I take my stand on Truth.

[alexplatups]

Originally Posted by Solipsist

Forgive me for having to still translate from the original Angelese, but I take my stand on Truth.

My good friend Solipsist, you took that might fine word right out of my mouth

[sorter]

To rid the world of dogma. Is that dogma?

To just keep my pores and eyes open.
Decide how to respond to life on a moment to moment basis.

Is that anti-stand?
.

[James81]

Originally Posted by Solipsist

Forgive me for having to still translate from the original Angelese, but I take my stand on Truth.

I get the impression from her post that "being a stand" is different from "taking a stand." It may seem like semantics, but I think the difference is in the way those phrases change when you use them in their respective ways.

That is, taking a stand would be to rise up against something.

Being a stand would be more like being stedfast in whatever it is you're being a stand for. Being a stand would be kind of like a lighthouse, a bright beacon of light to keep the boats from crashing on the rocks against the shores.

At least that is the way I interpret that.

[spacecadetglow]

Haha, love the signature, James.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by James81

I get the impression from her post that "being a stand" is different from "taking a stand." It may seem like semantics, but I think the difference is in the way those phrases change when you use them in their respective ways.

That is, taking a stand would be to rise up against something.

Being a stand would be more like being stedfast in whatever it is you're being a stand for. Being a stand would be kind of like a lighthouse, a bright beacon of light to keep the boats from crashing on the rocks against the shores.

At least that is the way I interpret that.

That's a really nice way of putting it, James!

"Taking a stand" is using a tool. "Being a stand" is being the tool.

That is: when you're being a stand for something like Truth, Truth uses you.

[spacecadetglow]

Originally Posted by Angela

That is: when you're being a stand for something like Truth, Truth uses you.

Awesome.

[Angela]

Sounds funny, doesn't it. A real world example would be Fatherhood. You, James, don't use fatherhood as a tool in your life; father is something you are being at a very deep level, as a choice (and it doesn't mean for you just having procreated; it means the day to day choices that present themselves to you and how you handle them).

[Solipsist]

Originally Posted by Angela

That's a really nice way of putting it, James!

"Taking a stand" is using a tool. "Being a stand" is being the tool.

That is: when you're being a stand for something like Truth, Truth uses you.

Yeah, now, see, this is why Angelese confuses me, sometimes utterly.

When you talk about "being a stand", two interpretations come to mind--the first is actually like laying down, so someone can stand on you; the second is being something, in this case, a "stand", which, simply put, makes no sense to me. A "stand" (as defined in most dictionaries) is a concept. How can one BE a concept?

Now, I understand your explanation here, Angela (James' confused me even further), in that "when you're being a 'stand' for something like Truth, Truth uses you." However, it required that explanation, because the language and the words you use defy common definition, and therefore understanding. But upon examination of your explanation, I can see that I am "being a stand" (to use your phrase) for Truth, by BEING Truth. Is that what you're talking about? If so, is there any reason why you can't just put it that way?

If, then, what you mean by "being a stand" means to simply BE whatever it is you would otherwise take a stand on, then I simply can't answer, because I ... simply am. I have no reason to take a stand on Truth. I'm already aware that I AM Truth.

[Angelique]

Originally Posted by Solipsist

How can one BE a concept?

This reminds me of acting class. "Be a tree! Be a tree!"

Meanwhile, I'd think, "How the hell am I gonna be a tree?"

[James81]

Originally Posted by Solipsist

How can one BE a concept?

What does that concept look like to you? Feel like to you? (<--powerful question to ask) How would you act, think, and feel if you were to be that concept? Where would you go? Who would you talk to and how?

"Being," to me, means imagining what that concept looks like expressed through you. And then doing that if you feel inspired to do so.

[Solipsist]

Originally Posted by James81

What does that concept look like to you? Feel like to you? (<--powerful question to ask) How would you act, think, and feel if you were to be that concept? Where would you go? Who would you talk to and how?

Concepts, to me, have no look, no feel. They are not concrete. Hence, again, I can't answer these questions, even for myself.

"Being," to me, means imagining what that concept looks like expressed through you. And then doing that if you feel inspired to do so.

Being, to me, means exactly that--Being. Not being this or being that, but just BEING. Why the necessity to ascribe qualities it? Why the necessity to be a concept? What's wrong with simply being who you are?

Perhaps, that neither Angela nor LoA concepts can answer these questions directly, this is the reason why I'm so utterly befuddled by Angelese.

[spacecadetglow]

Originally Posted by Solipsist

What's wrong with simply being who you are?

By being a stand, you ARE being who you are! If who you are is Truth, and who I am is Imagination, we are both being who we are AND being a stand at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive by any means, in fact, they are one in the same.

I rather like Angelese because, even if she's relating concepts I already know intuitively in her own beguiling style, she allows me to understand and experience myself all over again, but in a slightly new way.