Thank you so much for your writing, Irritable Métis. At age 72, reading here and following your links and reading the comments, I'm again feeling and witnessing the hope and creative energy that was in the air, against all odds, when I was a 20-year-old woman in 1970.
I am brand new here, and yes, because of Culture Study. After a long life of concentrating efforts in my small world of family, work, surviving on many fronts, I am now widowed, my children self-sustaining and most important, kind, though with their own weaknesses that they alone can amend. And I catch my breath on the edge of despair at the tide of hate that threatens to overwhelm not just our species but the planet. Your essays and those of the authors you mention bring me back to an awareness I forgot long ago: compassion is the only way to survive in the long run. This is not to accept wordlessly the evil that is/can be done, but to understand that fighting it with one's own brand of evil only sustains it, expands it in turn. It wins no arguments and contributes nothing to rational solutions.
Thank you for reminding me of that. It is worth far more than the subscription price. Please, write on.
I definitely spent some minutes after reading that calculating pounds to dollars, and also calculating my readiness to get on a heckin' plane again, ever.
I would first like to say to your readers; if you have the chance to be part of a class or workshop with Chris, take it. I was lucky enough to part of the Yellowstone workshop and it was enlightening, challenging and a little bit mind bending. He’s a wonderful teacher.
To you, Chris … thanks. For this post and all your words so beautifully strung together. I’m hoping you make that trip happen.
What a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing and, as always, for your own words. The Dartmoor retreat looks incredible. Is it open or invitation? I couldn’t tell but am very interested and may be in the UK at that time.
Feb 17, 2022·edited Feb 17, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray
Hi Chris, unlike many others, I rather discovered your substack from a meaningful comment that you left on the Freya Rohn's substack. Freya is a friend who talk often about the colonialistic, misogynistic frameworks in a subversive ways. When I read your message on her post, just like her, you felt like a kindred spirit to me.
I'm very glad to be here, understanding and connecting to your work and your beautiful homeland. Thank you for sharing.
I, too, am here because of Culture Study! "Inconsistency is our consistency up in here, friends" deeply resonated with me, words I truly needed to see this morning. Consistency is my white whale, mostly due to health issues. So I've been trying to embrace my inconsistency instead and accept it as a part of my work and process.
Thank you so much for your writing, Irritable Métis. At age 72, reading here and following your links and reading the comments, I'm again feeling and witnessing the hope and creative energy that was in the air, against all odds, when I was a 20-year-old woman in 1970.
Thank you!
I am brand new here, and yes, because of Culture Study. After a long life of concentrating efforts in my small world of family, work, surviving on many fronts, I am now widowed, my children self-sustaining and most important, kind, though with their own weaknesses that they alone can amend. And I catch my breath on the edge of despair at the tide of hate that threatens to overwhelm not just our species but the planet. Your essays and those of the authors you mention bring me back to an awareness I forgot long ago: compassion is the only way to survive in the long run. This is not to accept wordlessly the evil that is/can be done, but to understand that fighting it with one's own brand of evil only sustains it, expands it in turn. It wins no arguments and contributes nothing to rational solutions.
Thank you for reminding me of that. It is worth far more than the subscription price. Please, write on.
Thank you for the kind words, and welcome....
Oh. My goodness. Tara's poem was just perfect.
Thank you, Nia. <3 Chris! Holy moly. Thanks for sharing. Another <3 right at you.
SO GOOD. Some of those lines are absolute bell-ringers for where my psyche is right now.
Best compliment. <3
Oh man, I love Tara's poem so much. Thank you for pointing us to it.
Also I screamed in excitement for you at the Martin Shaw invite! EEEEK!!!! We're going to need a full report of course.
I'm pretty stoked about it myself.
I definitely spent some minutes after reading that calculating pounds to dollars, and also calculating my readiness to get on a heckin' plane again, ever.
I did a little excited-shriek about that too, Sara. Those two storytellers around a fire together? I would love to hear that.
And thank you very much indeed for the poem-love. :)
Thank you for the Tara Shepersky poem. It was just what was needed this dark morning. Peace keep you.
Tara's entire book is like that!
I would first like to say to your readers; if you have the chance to be part of a class or workshop with Chris, take it. I was lucky enough to part of the Yellowstone workshop and it was enlightening, challenging and a little bit mind bending. He’s a wonderful teacher.
To you, Chris … thanks. For this post and all your words so beautifully strung together. I’m hoping you make that trip happen.
Thank you so much, Maggie.
That poem by Tara Shepersky..... it's perfect.
Reading each newsletter, checking in here. Another thought-provoking post, Chris.
Tara is wonderful and I'm thrilled her book is out.
This is the part where I stop saying anything even vaguely intelligent and just stand in a corner grinning like a fool.
Thanks for your words and Tara's poem and thank you for sharing mine. xo
You're very welcome, Holly.
“Inconsistency is our consistency up in here, friends.“ glad to be here. Thanks for having us.
Thank you!
Hi Chris,
Thank you for sharing Tara’s poem.
And, as long as you keep writing, I will keep reading.
Sincerely,
Melissa
What a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing and, as always, for your own words. The Dartmoor retreat looks incredible. Is it open or invitation? I couldn’t tell but am very interested and may be in the UK at that time.
Anyone can sign up for the class as long as spots are available, though Martin says they will likely be gobbled up by month's-end, so don't delay!
oh the beautiful poem by Tara, thank you, and oh, the lucky souls who get to be with you and Martin Shaw in Dartmoor—I am jealous.
It's not a done-deal yet, but close. I'm stoked about it.
fingers crossed!
Hi Chris, unlike many others, I rather discovered your substack from a meaningful comment that you left on the Freya Rohn's substack. Freya is a friend who talk often about the colonialistic, misogynistic frameworks in a subversive ways. When I read your message on her post, just like her, you felt like a kindred spirit to me.
I'm very glad to be here, understanding and connecting to your work and your beautiful homeland. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Swarnali. Freya is wonderful. I appreciate you being here.
I, too, am here because of Culture Study! "Inconsistency is our consistency up in here, friends" deeply resonated with me, words I truly needed to see this morning. Consistency is my white whale, mostly due to health issues. So I've been trying to embrace my inconsistency instead and accept it as a part of my work and process.
Same. It's hard, isn't it? But worthwhile when the inner nag just lets us be....
OK, I really wanted to go to your Yellowstone workshop this month but now I REALLY want to go to the Tent of Seven Doors one. Law.
Yikes! Okay thanks Chris.