Men Talk Poetry - February / March 2002

Transformation to Awe Judging people creates shame, Especially for those judged inferior, evil. Yet those judged good, superior also know, Desired judgment can be reversed. Shame evolves from feelings of defectiveness, Believed unlovable, judged inferior/evil. This shame demands recognition we have "hard wired" in us, Belief we are equal to all others. While inferiority, superiority, good and evil, Are socially taught inventions. Irrelevant without judgments. "Abandon good and evil," a part of my mind said. "But how will we judge people without them?" other part protested. "That's it! You've got it!" first part responded. Judging, shaming create repression, Of our exuberance, our delights, our very lives. Shame also creates controlling, perfectionism, And even more. Yes, also violence and war. Men go through lives with their guards up, Protecting from shaming's barbs, too painful to endure. Yet removing judging, shaming is not enough. Need new vision, new worldview. Non-judgmental acceptance and unconditional love, Seem the creative alternative. Yet what we oppose, somehow we sustain. Such as "unconditional" and "non-judgmental". So drop the negative, go with "caring acceptance." Yet this is not enough for the shame-wounded, who are all of us. Need challenge, invitation to transformation. When familiar, repressed selves are abandoned, What marvelous beauty shows in men, and women too. Escaped from repressions, judging/shame induced. Childlike happiness, elan recovered. And so, "Become as little children," heaven's glow reflecting, Creates transformed world. No need to pursue, Hopeless task of righting each and every one of world's wrongs. Depression, despair, frustration give way to celebration. Opening up time for awe of God and God's creation. Awe! Perhaps greatest form of prayer. Roy U. Schenk