Guardians and Protectors!

Highlights

Guardianship in Animate Traditions

• Animate traditions emphasize guardianship, recognizing forces beyond ourselves.
• Negotiating with these forces protects individuals, communities, and spaces. (via) ^rwhi903115574

Western Dismissal of Guardianship

• Westerners often dismiss guardianship practices as superstitious or unimportant.
• However, traditions like Tibetan Buddhism are deeply rooted in guardian spirits. (via) ^rwhi903115575

Guardianship and Nature

• We build shelters and boundaries in the physical world for safety.
• Yet, we often lack this same intricacy with nature and the spirit world, viewing nature as solely benevolent. (via) ^rwhi903115577

Postmodern Individualism

• Postmodern individualists often believe traditional rules don't apply to them.
• They prioritize unmitigated freedom, dismissing guardianship as gatekeeping. (via) ^rwhi903115604

Traditional vs. Modern Safety

• Traditional systems have embedded guardianship, including self-knowledge and orientation.
• These are different from modern psychological safety concepts. (via) ^rwhi903115611

Internal Guardianship

• Certain mental/emotional states, like anxiety and fear, increase vulnerability to spirit affliction.
• Thus, tending to one's mental and emotional field is crucial for guardianship. (via) ^rwhi903115566

Atarakita Sutta on Protection

• The Atarakita Sutta emphasizes internal protection through thought, word, and deed.
• External protections alone are insufficient. (via) ^rwhi903115556