Transformation can be thought of in different ways. A shift in story, in narrative, in worldview, in science, in consciousness. It means that something in our life and world and community is profoundly changing.
For each period of change it is useful to find artifacts that capture the meaning of that moment. For some it is a tattoo on the body. A song or work of art to remind us of that phase of our life. Statues in a town square, quotes over an entranceway.
A simple, yet profound, marker of meaning is to find quotes that hold our attention over time. We are calling these Tattoos of the Mind.
Moments of transformation are fragile, so it reinforces our aspiration when we share them with others, quotes or mind tattoos are one easy way of doing that. In sharing them we are reminded of who we are, who we aspire to be, and how we find our commonality. They are not just what I may post on my mirror, or screen or wall, but quotes, in the sharing, claim our humanity and bring us together.
Here is one that I am unable to erase.
“All consciousness begins with an act of disobedience.” ––Carl Jung
It was a radical thought for me that disobedience could be useful. I knew it was satisfying, but it created labels: “counter dependence,” “issues with authority,” “not on board,” or “not a team player.” In a compliance-driven, empire, and colonial culture, saying no is considered a problem to be solved.
The option is to consider disobedience, or what can be called dissent, a pathway to belonging and creating a more powerful way of being together.
When we say no, put our doubts into words, are willing to be disobedient, and accept that we are not here to meet the expectations of others, a quality of aliveness is present. When we invite the disobedience and dissent of others, especially about what we are up to, we can listen without needing to react, answer, explain. No response, other than understanding, is required. We can also take the dissent of others as an invitation for expressing our own disobedience or dissent.
This quote also opens us to the idea that saying “No” is the beginning of a conversation, not an exit strategy. And that if we cannot say “No,” our “Yes” has no meaning.
Article by Peter Block
