can I forward this to a red-head in Seattle? From her point of view to me!

hm m

Hi Suchitra

A powerful image, and powerful poem. Thank you.

Cheers, Heather

Beautiful! Very deep and powerful.

cheers

Beautiful poetry, striking image. Thank you!

Dear Suchitra,
It is so true. Those who can't forgive themselves, in turn judge others. Then the Self is veiled.
Or, at least, that's what I felt when I read your poem. I am going to think about other layers I might have missed.
Love,
Donatella

Found this little "identity" commentary way back in the 90's! I read it whenever I have self-doubt! It keeps me grounded, level and clarifies so much! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, these past many years!

BlueBeard-Commentary by Clarissa Pinkola Est

QUOTE: Clarissa's Commentary On The Story Of Bluebeard

[…] "That is why the women lie as skeletons and cadavers in Bluebeard’s cellar. They learnt of the trap, but too late. Consciousness is the way out of the box, the way out of the torture. It is the path away from the dark man. And women are entitled to fight tooth and nail to have it and keep it.

In the Bluebeard story we see how a woman who falls under the spell of the predator rouses herself and escapes him, wiser for the next time. The story is about the transformation of four shadowy introjects which are in particular contention for women: have no vision, have no insight, have no voice, have no action.

In order to banish the predator, we must do the opposite. We must unlock or pry things open to see what is inside. We must use our insight and our ability to stand what we see. We must speak our truth in a clear voice. And we must be able to use our wits to do what needs be about what we see.

When a woman is strong in her instinctual nature, she intuitively recognizes the innate predator by scent, sight, and hearing . . . anticipates its presence, hears it approaching, and takes steps to
turn it away.

In the instinct-injured woman, the predator is upon her before she registers its presence, for her
listening, her knowing, and her apprehension are impaired - mainly by introjects which exhort her to be nice, to behave, and especially to be blind to being misused.

Psychically, it is difficult at first glance to tell the difference between the uninitiated, who are as yet young and therefore naive, and women who are injured in instinct. Neither knows much about the dark predator, and both are therefore still credulous.

But fortunately for us, when the predatory element of a woman’s psyche is on the move, it leaves behind unmistakable tracks in her dreams. These tracks eventually lead to its discovery,
capture, and containment.

The cure for both the naive woman and the instinct-injured woman is the same:

Practice listening to your intuition, your inner voice; ask questions; be curious; see what you see; hear what you hear; and then act upon what you know to be true. These intuitive powers were given to your soul at birth. They have been covered over, Perhaps by years and years of ashes and excrement.

This is not the end of the world, for these always wash off. With some chipping and scraping and practice, your perceptive powers can be brought back to their pristine state again. By retrieving these powers from the shadows of our psyches, we shall not be simple victims of internal or external circumstances.

No matter how culture, personality, psyche, or other might demand women be dressed and behaved, no matter how they may all wish to keep all females in a gaggle with ten dozing dueñas, chaperones, nearby, no matter what pressures attempt to compress a woman’s soulful life, they cannot change the fact that a woman is what she is and that this is dictated by the wild
unconscious, and that it is good.

It is crucial for us to remember that when we have dark man dreams there is always an opposing power poised and waiting to help us. When we initiate wildish energy in order to balance the predator, guess who immediately shows up?

Wild Woman comes diving over whatever fences, walls, or obstructions the predator has erected. She is not an icon, to be hung on the wall like a retablo, religious painting. She is a
living being who comes to us anywhere, under any conditions. She and the predator have known each other a long, long time. She tracks him through dreams, through stories, through tales, and through women's entire lives. Wherever he is, she is, for she is the one who balances his predations.

Wild Woman teaches women when not to act “nice” about protecting their soulful lives. The wildish nature knows that being “sweet” in these instances only makes the predator smile.

When the soulful life is being threatened, it is not only acceptable to draw the line and mean it, it is required. When a woman does this, her life cannot be interfered with for long, for she knows immediately what is wrong and can push the predator back where it belongs. She is no longer naive. She is no longer a mark or a target. And this is the medicine that causes the key, finally, to cease its bleeding.”

Suchitra:

in just few words u have expressed a lot....

North:

ur comments are point blank.....whenever u write about issues related to women ...it is so Powerful....

Hi Suchitra,

I liked this artpiece a lot. I read about your art from the papers. congratulations and hope you bring many more beautiful expressions into this world.

about the post , You are just like shekar...few words, a little abstractness, a little mind bending and a lot of comments. :)

and yes...thanks for KHKN, "Ae kaash ke hum" song was like an anthem for me in college.

Suchitra,

Well,

No, I do not think her 'new man' would appreciate it.

Within the hopelessness I can still retain a sense of misguided pride, and betray even our friendship to a hardened and forlorn heart.

Is that not what we do best???

peace

North -

When the soulful life is being threatened, it is not only acceptable to draw the line and mean it, it is required. When a woman does this, her life cannot be interfered with for long, for she knows immediately what is wrong and can push the predator back where it belongs. She is no longer naive. She is no longer a mark or a target. And this is the medicine that causes the key, finally, to cease its bleeding.”

Thank You.

Suchita --

wonderful poem and absolutely awesome painting.

Dear Seema and Pam,,,so glad you were moved, by our shared wisdoms.... it is my favorite! Seema, you mentioned before, I am strong; it is because I have read those words a thousand times! And when I had many fears and doubts, when in such emotional pain through sorrows and tests of time and fate; those words were an echo... my hand extended within.... those words, inspire many of my digital designs....

well, now you know my secret! lol

North

awesome expression...tx.

North:

thanks for ur secret....inspiring words....

Dear Seema,,,, may they also inspire you greatly too... and Happy 1st day of February,,,,already; half-way to spring, here in north country!! yay!

North

Dear Suchitra,
Your poem stands beautifully on its own.
But if you'd like another layer, in my eyes it's a symbol of how the self might want to limit the Self with its dualistic views. The Self does not know duality.
Love,
Donatella

The message conveyed in the poem--Powerful.
The image, I don't get it, too subjective in nature, maybe you can explain it.

Hi Suchitra,
Is this painting your own work? It looks quite interesting.
Where is Shekhar these days? Haven't heard from him in quite a while. Pls update. I have now shifted my residence to Mumbai. Hope to see you guys sometime.

Cheers!
Navin

hello superstar! bombay jhaldi ke nahin? i mean, is bombay playing host well? hope you will be shooting upwards like gujrat alkali soon lol.

blessing you for all the best

harb.

Hi Harb,
How are you? Yep, Bombay is nice. After a few teething problems, have settled down nicely here. Have joined a Health Club, Nautilus Academy nearby to get my muscles back! And yeah, Gujarat Alkali rocked. I had suggested that scrip to Shekhar as well at 130, I don't know whether he had bought it. 25-30% gain isn't bad in a couple of months. ;)

Thanks for your blessings, cheers!
Navin