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The hope and folly of the Gang of Sixty - Conventional Wisdom on Power-Center Politics

 

The hope and folly of the Gang of Sixty - Conventional Wisdom on Power-Center Politics

 

Recent initiatives by Senators Lindsay Graham and Dick Durban to lead the “Gang of Six” bi-partisan efforts to craft comprehensive legislation for immigration and other areas of interest, and now to grow this into a true coalition of 25-plus senators, and possibly a full blown “Gang of Sixty” caucus during this pause in the government shutdown showdown would seem doomed to failure by all forms of “conventional wisdom.”

 

But here is a postulate:  The interplay of the many shades of CW as it has evolved in our current Public Sphere Conversation is a fundamental ingredient in the nasty and  truly dangerous polarization that dominates the realm of public policy and political action.

 

Tune into the many outlets giving voice to viewpoints on happenings in the news-stream, and hear the deeply held, and wildly opposing convictions of what just “obviously makes sense,” who is “obviously crazy” and who is “clearly to be trusted” - the only agreement from these extremes are that much the same language is used - each “side” using similar words of CW about totally opposite believes and logic systems.

 

So where do we go from here?  Can a real caucus of the middle emerge?  Is there any hope that a powerful center-based alignment for comprehensive and broad ranged accomplishment succeed? 

 

The real questions are how can this very current example of just such an initiative in the U.S. Senate be applied to similarly stalled and stalemated efforts throughout the nation?  How can lessons of history, of evidence-based models of past such emergences be used to further this opportunity?  How can language of true action evolve from what is, in reality, the current language of seeming action from one side or another, but is actually, one of inaction, in terms of meaningful, comprehensive results over a wide range of important interests.?

 

This flowering of a political center, however fleeting, in which just a very few venture away from the extremes at first, then a few more, and so on - each doing so based on an inherent understanding, an inner voice, and instinct that continuing along the existing course is, itself, the one of certain doom.

 

The positive challenge here is to that next level of leaders of our sphere of happenings, those sharing both the suspicions and skills to venture towards the center - those already with the knowledge and temperament to trust models for comprehensive and broad-based success - and with the skills to help a coalition to evolve to bring them about.

 

Such leaders already understand the fleeting nature of the opportunity to avoid certain peril, of the historic need to seize on any such intrinsic alignment of fragility and strength - such are the fundamental elements of all such emergences - and offer and commit their own true purpose as fellow element.

 

 Such are snowflakes and other embodiments of those so venturing. 

Of elevated spirits, at once fragile and awesome…

Of elevated spirits, at once fragile and awesome…

 

Seemingly surrounded by the mob gone mad, this grouping of hitherto strangers up upon the central rise finds themselves reacting in similar fashion across a number of aspects - first and foremost, they have found their way to this sacred spot in much the same pose - one of a natural complexity of mighty strength, bottomless grounding and vast capacity to face and embrace all of ugliness vented - as well as almost instance love of the elevated state of each other centrally gathered.   

 

The two on the bench - a grouping within the group - they form the core of maelstrom, being the most prominent in their daring sharing of intimacy and apparent impervious to the vile taunts and slurs being hurled towards them from the nearby mob.  

 

They have triggered a special recognition from the rest of the little grouping - a cross-section of natural leaders well experienced at standing tall against the tugs and pulls of extremes of behavior such this before them.  From many walks themselves, simultaneously maintain a boldly confident calm in the midst of this fearful storm.

 

At the same time, each in their own disparate way who have instinctively moved to this most lovely spot, they turn their shared gift of insight upon each other in the most fleeting of glances, gracing one another with shared trust - they are fortunate to be able to brave such.  Together their is shared fond affinity, especially with the two - and collectively they just know a true, higher purpose of opportunity, however fragile and fleeting, to be advanced the certain peril.

 

Such are epiphanies - nurture and sustain this one, faithfully breathe in the life force they now offer, stoke and support these embers before it dies out again…

 

Here it is love - fragile, fleeting - the two there are fully entranced, yet still likely to return to their norm - but they have the key, they harbor the full range of skills, ultimately the most fierce and brave, possessing the infinite viewpoint…

 

Yes, indeed - and this small band that has found this spot with them - natural leaders, they have all the accomplished experience of getting things done, all the toughness - they can mix with the brutes and extract sound accomplishments - but they have instinctively moved to the most sacred higher ground just as the two - same primeval impulse - feel their hesitation - on edge between turning their practiced talents towards the mob all around and the the two further within - they sense the next level, they have benefited before - remind them…

 

We must help them to unlock the key - the model we eternally seek - blind them, shock them with the surety of the outcome - yes they can deliberate and balance, but then what - same old - that gives them pause - they sense the opportunity of these two…

 

True warriors of the elevated realm they are, each of them holding firm here against the onslaught - each with their own vital role to play…

 

Flood this lil sphere within it all with the sprights and vixens already filling the two - the others are touch, but not enough - they must trigger together - help them all to recall better times - they will listen and learn - and, we pray, act…

 

They must know that together it is worth it - to strike back with their own model - only they can create it - hold up strongly enough the sure promise and the madness with ebb…

 

Only a bit at first - only the very next level will hesitate within the mob - give them the display before the moment evaporates - the nexus, the power center, the elevated trust fellowship…

 

Such are epiphanies - nurture and sustain this one, faithfully breathe in the life force they now offer, stoke and support these embers before it dies out again…

many others, seen and unseen, that special gift we have, spiritual, embodied in forces, a force-field, ours all the time, but enhanced right here - a new level for us - fellows….

Surely something strange is affecting them - us - not just in all of those infected with yet another madness - such is ever our role to deal with them, this reality - thus these notes are added to the ether right here in this void within the madness - thus these new unspoken thoughts fly between these other within this newly carved inner circle - they exchange looks, not ready to touch, not their way, but they feel virtual hugs - of each other at the edge of this special space in the midst of the swirl - yes, they confirm with each other - we are leaders, not like the fearful ones stoking that mob - but we are different, on instinct finding this higher ground, standing tall - yes, hugs, look at those two further within our center, our power center, real hugs, a real trance they inhabit - like us but more - we much protect - harbor, harness - yes, their opportunity here - more than just us have grounded ourselves here - many others, seen and unseen, that special gift we have, spiritual, embodied in forces, a force-field, ours all the time, but enhanced right here - a new level for us - fellows….

 

all of these others, Ghosts, Visions, here go, unbound, from right here, our life, our love, our Epiphany…”

 

yet another comes into view - “exhilarating isn’t it - we are finally here, together, again”

 

“rarified air”  who is talking?  no sound at all - oh yes, this spot - been here - but who else is singing?

 

“hey there - joyous, terrifying, and oh so grand this place - but yes, who else?  such a rare and visit to this, what, state, feeling - a host of voices singing now - but some new ones are here”

 

see my loves, these ones have reached us - we must move, reward - such a mix of extremes of extremes and lovelies of lovelies - but these two, centered among the center of this nexus - they are so close right now - we must join in, further their emergence - so ultimately fragile and tenuous - purity of infinite possibilities - our own trigger and theirs as one - opportunity and peril at extreme - our moment…

 

she leans in, raises up, feelings filling her - awarenesses, epiphany of epiphanies,  must seize on the extreme of extreme - him, them…

 

he leans back, they raise together, into another realm they are, this is it, they look away from it all - realm within realms…

 

… of rocks and grounds and soaring and pure faith - yes, this is our purpose - epiphany and on and on we go from right here… 

 

trembling, terror, frozen and torn open - “oh my love, so sorry” “so empty, must give up” “but no, better, back into it, just me, but no, you, too, and these others in close - all of these others, Ghosts, Visions, here go, unbound, from right here, our life, our love, our Epiphany…”

this was the moment to shine and stand strong upon high, to carve out a space at once separate yet completely intertwined with the sphere of humanity - and especially on this surreal Twelve Night of madness, to offer in full display the totally of their v

Suddenly still, they stared - at their newfound fellow warriors - with no words spoken in their center, this urgent vortex they had each, both individually and mutually, created, this mighty anchor a model of holy silence amid the riot of harmful voice all about them.

 

Each of them, a kind of fellowship they all felt - and shared with looks into each others’ strained eyes - each of these fellows now stood like almighty mountains, at the sparks and flames and smoke, at the craziness that somehow drew each of them together - yes, warriors we are, another quiet exchange of notes enabled by their creation.

 

The were totally overwhelmed, each of them, just moments ago, now transformed, triggered as one - they each read in the stares of this strange grouping an inner voice of absolute surety - something purely spiritual was touch and moving each of them who somehow, by one of those ever-present other state forces they all know to be with us all the time - these sprights of the ether, with whom they are surely one, brought them out of the madness to this spot

 

Something about this assembly in this elevated and distinctive bit of loveliness, something about the thoroughly unreal contrast with the ugliness spinning around them, something yet again about this creation of them was truly magical, a holy clarity, a flood of elsprights - elevated embodied invading and filling them all - another totally.

 

Perhaps the natural strength and prominence of this lil promontory; perhaps a sudden burst of inner bravery and clarity, combined with their inner el-selves telling them this was the moment to shine and stand strong upon high, to carve out a space at once separate yet completely intertwined with the sphere of humanity - and especially on this surreal Twelve Night of madness, to offer in full display the totally of their view of it all, of virtual separation, of infinite states of balance and purpose — and yes, a view of the timelessness of this current clash of extremes.

 

All of it a gift - theirs received and now offered back - that extra capacity - a blessing and curse - and faced with this sure calamity all around them, an elevation, a recalled strength - a mission and a purpose - drawn together by the gift and grace of such ultimate acceptance and endless and eternal detachment with love for all the sacred souls now swirling around them 

 

Their own Epiphany, their own shared awakening, their own intimacy of knowing sure purpose, now released and empowering, to stand strong against the onslaught and offer hope against the inevitable horrible alternatives - to come together and allow their true el-selves to emerge - to offer their special gifts of infinite understanding and powerlessness combined, to finally find a nexus from which to fully and totally launch their own loving notes across all aspects of reality — a deep sharing - flood of notes of better selves, urgently released, freed, empowered - a Twelve Night Epiphany - a Carol of Ghosts - their shared intimacy - whew…

 

But today, in this most special morning on the eve on the most special morning of Christmas, the aspects swirling in of dimensions beyond comprehension ...

Look in awe upon this scene of pure beauty - unreal, it seems, as the flood of holy sensations and notes of kindly voices of forms beyond our easy recognition - all of the loving touches upon our inner most selves are, indeed from another realm of our world.  With the lights of this holy season sparkling, as we do, in this sacred interlude of pre-dawn - oh how precious is this landscape, already magical, but now with singing and horns and strings touching our hearts - each vessel that is now converging with a bounty of souls full of promise - oh loves, such a breakwater this Christmas surely is…

 

A most spiritual time is Christmastide, with the elsprights in a full ethereal chorus of notes on the Eve of the birth of our Savior.  Ever and again is the vital need for emergence of the elstate in all of it’s appearances, however fleeting - all the more magical and precious for the starkness of it’s instrinsic brevity in  counterbalancing contrast to the eternal continuity of the opposing of the base. 

 

As the watercraft skim and plough through the waves, adding spray and splash to the mist rising off the sea, the everyday routine is wholly transformed, launching apparitions into the ether just as as the travelers are launched upon the shores.

 

Already a mixing place of life across many aspects, as the purposes and bounds vary across the range of humanity embarking upon the great city, together compressed into the quaint isle stepping stone.

 

But today, in this most special morning on the eve on the most special morning of Christmas, the aspects swirling in of dimensions beyond comprehension - even the most duty bound and closest to the ground in their straight line dedication to their understanding norm, even they feel the feelings that can’t missed, of deepest remembrance, so vast and primeval and ancient as to through them off their intense devoted course.

 

Tis one of those moments in the sphere of happenings where all boundaries are crossed, where all paths weave together - each of us must surely feel it, each in our own separate way - this height of the Christmas pause is at hand - look at each of us, each disparate spirit in an infinite collage of forms - and awesome are the voices that are now sharing in chorus… 

 

On this particular Christmas Eve morn, all are touched by these notes of elevated spirits that are being woven - the ethereal spiders are up with the sunrise, darting and weaving, lovingly stinging in a purely holy invasion of all souls - but to be sure, the depth of their welcome varies with the entirety of range of readiness of the elspright in each and every living form.

 

A wondrous march of faeries arriving upon this doorstep to the vast metropolis - a wonder more how many sense the true expanse of Ghosts launching deepest notes of inner voices in a collective Carol as this Eve of Christmas commences… 

 

In the lovely vale that is the subject of our tale, one especially targeted by the masters for it’s critical nexus of threat and opportunity - and therefore impact upon the urgent need of this age at the brink - a marvelous assembly of equally lovely souls have already been joined - mated in the truest sense of extreme oneness of knowing - as one they are in awe that is unfolding before them. 

 

Crammed in tight with this host of travelers upon the ancient ferry on this Christmas Eve morn, she actually enjoyed the close warmth of fellow early birds...

Carols of Ghosts…

 

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Crammed in tight with this host of travelers upon the ancient ferry on this Christmas Eve morn, she actually enjoyed the close warmth of fellow early birds - together by habit every day year round as they headed into the big city, but today, the holy day before the holy day, we are somehow joined in spirit, or at least I am, ran her thoughts as they repeated the routine of pressing forward, ready to spring onto the pier the very moment the docking was complete and the gate opened to release them.

 

Not a routine day at all - How lovely - she marveled as she eyed the carolers huddled under the overhang of the Gatehouse that served as the terminal for not just ferries, but also the bridges that connected the island - on side by car to the suburban bank, and on the other, by footbridge to downtown.  

 

On this special day it looked so very precious all decked out in Christmas lights.  Always a hub of activity, usually as a pass thru and meeting point, but on this special day, the center of festivities throughout the beautiful island.  Already could spell the fragrance of the many burners and fireplaces already aflame, mixing with the aromas of extra vendors who had already set up shop to offer early morning coffees and other delights.  Later in the day and eve, there would be roaring bonfires and even fireworks, if tradition held.

 

Jolted as usual as the docking abruptly finished, she focused as was her custom on her balance as the gates opened and the travelers surged, and the popping and cracking sounds that now were added didn’t immediately alarm her - strange sounds and sights were just a part of city life - but in the next heartbeat her senses were flooded with notes that overwhelmed and triggered an inner voice:  something was amiss!

 

Always risky to look anywhere but at her careful footsteps so as to keep her balance in the mob, an impulse forced her to glance up towards the sounds - and there, emanating from the “House” were an amazing collage, to her mind, of bright flames and tremendous sparkles, accompanied by a virtual chorus of these new sounds, now more clearly of explosions.

 

these critical points offer this one vital opportunity - to stir the elsprights within them, the truly benevolent Ghosts, to trigger their timeless emergence in joyful, life-giving Carol…

Carols of Ghosts…

 

In this spiritual season - in these days of carols of ghosts, our eternal ghosts, ancient and youthful at once, our masters within and without, they are fully engaged and in tune with the notes emanating from the sphere of happening - both the same and intrinsic to all ages, yet once again new and fresh, and in this age, of a particularly bountiful nature, both fearful and hopeful, building to critical points at all points - one such is detected:

 

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Heed them right now, my loves - our masterful construct and their improbable Christmas Eve is now crashing upon us all - look, sense, the notes are flying at all points - the mob has finished stoking and validating themselves, the hucksters have succeed at their inevitable end - sending them cascading, bent on harm for its’ own sake - such is the inner voice of those with the pulpit/puppet view - and see, over there, their target - they must have one, always - never enough to let be and let go…

 

…Yes my loves, time to call in all of the els within and without - with this impending horror we and ours, which in ultimate truth is them, must be at our very best - to bring out such in them - eternally and forever our quest and mission - from ancient times to this latest dark one - to seize the moment to coax out the elevated within all of them now that they are moved to face the certain outcome of their path, to demonstrate the infinity of ultimate power of els mobilized and joined…

 

…Yes my pi warriors - and to help them recall their, our, common greater purpose, to make the most of this Christmas Eve emergence - they faced it all in the past and chose different paths - these critical points offer this one vital opportunity - to stir the elsprights within them, the truly benevolent Ghosts, to trigger their timeless emergence in joyful, life-giving Carol…

“to enjoy the very same Carols - theirs, too, we admit - so much feeling - whew - always at odds with these others - but maybe not this Christmas Eve

Bummed and alone once again - who?  where? the forgotten, they’re all through this throng - bypassed and dismissed in a Christmas Eve trance - so many here so gathered, come to respect this most solemn time - even here, now,  forever their fate - victims once again even on this holy night…

 

…“lost and alone again - they so easily, so naturally seem to find each other, their kind, but never us - ok, ok - we are used to this - they wouldn’t notice us, nor our usual tactics, not now, not here - we have come so far with them, survived and thrived but still no respect from these others - they just somehow find each other - we should be a part - we can pretend - yes, that works here, now, on this special eve - plenty of corners and places to keep warm…

 

… “to enjoy the very same Carols - theirs, too, we admit - so much feeling - whew - always at odds with these others - but maybe not this Christmas Eve, as we exhale, as we recall, as we share - so hard - all of our holy time…