RE: Don't Let Your Respect Create Hierarchy by lukestokes

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ยท@saramillerยท
0.000 HBD
Wow there are so many things I would like to address! 

On Quinn: 
It's interesting that you bring up and <a href="https://steemit.com/yoga/@saramiller/be-one-in-self-harmony-in-yoga-and-arise-great-warrior-arise">judge</a> Quinn. You're not the only one who does that! Lots of people think he's either a savior or the antichrist ๐Ÿ˜‚ We make a joke of it around here - in fact, they just threw an <a href="https://steemit.com/quinneaker/@quinneaker/angels-and-demons-p3-the-feasting-photos-on-my-birthday-bash-on-top-of-free-feast-we-gave-away-boxes-of-free-food">angels and demons birthday party</a> for him, and we all had a great time playing with our light & dark sides.

Let's come back to that. 

On nature/natural hierarchies being "good", etc:
I don't actually believe that a hierarchy is good or bad, right or wrong - I just point out that they exist. Life organizes itself into systems; it's built on codes. There is order and structure; that is a hierarchy. I have no reason to resist a hierarchy any more than I resist the sun rise - it just IS.

On egos:
I believe the ego is an important tool for experiencing life. In fact, if all we felt was oneness, then there would be no contrast and therefore no experience at all. <a href="https://steemit.com/yoga/@saramiller/be-one-in-self-harmony-in-yoga-and-arise-great-warrior-arise">Judging</a> or resisting it creates internal conflict, and I actually think organized religion uses this as a weapon to keep people in guilt and shame (and therefore easy to control) just for being their egotistical, selfish, true selves.

I also believe that most people do not wield their egos or selfishness consciously or constructively, but that's another story. 

On disagreements:
I'm way more honorable than to hold a little discord against you or allow it to hinder our relationship. I actually value and appreciate our disagreements, as they have led to rich exchanges! I respect that you consider countering perspectives and find you to be a thoughtful and kind person, and I am not so petty as to negate any of that simply because you don't agree with my opinions. 

On leaders:
As I believe there are inherent differences between people, that life organizes itself into systems, and that efficient systems place the proper people in their proper roles, I accept that some people are better suited for being leaders. What is the "worth" of a leader over any other member of the community? I believe that comes down to the VALUES the leader embodies, upholds, and inspires for everyone else, and that ultimately great leadership is built on the interconnection of all life! 

Corruption, coercion, manipulation, or the use of force are not values I admire in leaders, and I have the free will to remove my attention and support from anyone who chooses to conduct themselves with those tactics. The power is mine, as it is for anyone who thinks for themselves. A healthy hierarchy doesn't TAKE power - free people give it freely. 

I believe in questioning everything, including and especially leaders, and that everyone should be treated with the respect they deserve.

Back to Quinn:
If there is a more honest, committed, generous, considerate, and responsible community leader, parent, catalyst, and challenger than Quinn, then I want to meet him/her. Adam Kokesh called him the "master of sustainability and living free" - an amazing achievement on this slave planet! I witness him change lives every day. To <a href="https://steemit.com/yoga/@saramiller/be-one-in-self-harmony-in-yoga-and-arise-great-warrior-arise">judge</a> or condemn him and write off his message because he not only accepts and fulfills but also celebrates his role as a leader is to do a great disservice to oneself and humanity.
๐Ÿ‘ ,