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Violence is NOT Normal



There’s a place called Chautauqua Institute in Western New York that I love. Steven introduced me to this beautiful place. On their website they say “We are a community of artists, educators, thinkers, faith leaders and friends dedicated to exploring the best in humanity. Whether it’s your first time visiting or your fiftieth, our promise is the same: Wisdom will be gleaned. Memories will be made. Life will be enriched. Positive change is your charge.”


Among many things Chautauqua Institute is known for their speakers who make you think outside of the box.


On August 12th, 2022, one of their speakers experienced an awful attack. To learn more about this go to: Attack on Author


As people who love Chautauqua commented on what happened, I read how shocked they were that something like this could happen on this sacred ground. Chautauqua was a safe place. Children ran around freely. No security checks to get into the grounds. People of all faiths and those who do not follow any dogma come together to learn, grow and be educated outside of their box.


As I said, I fell in love with this beautiful place. Next summer I plan on spending a week or two there.


I was shocked when I heard the news of the violence that occurred. On Facebook threads over and over I read how could this happen here.


As I sat with my own shock I cried. I cried for this place I love but I also cried because I realized when we hear news of violence most of us are not shocked. We are not shocked to hear that someone has entered a school and killed children. We are not shocked when we hear someone has taken a car and ran people over watching a parade. We are not shocked by the daily news of violence throughout our world.


Yes, we have an outcry of how this could happen again, but we are not surprised or shocked that violence continues to occur.


What have we allowed to happen in our world? Throughout the world our response to violence is to prepare for more violence. We have created a world where teachers feel they need to be armed. People carry guns when they go to their church, synagogue, temples and places of work.


How can we create peace if we are always ready for violence? We cannot!


Sadly, we have become accustomed to the violence experienced throughout our world. Many have gotten desensitized to living in a violent world.


We think it’s normal.


As I cried, I felt the pain of living in a world where we have gotten used to hearing on the news the daily acts of violence that are happening across the world.


We should be shocked every time we hear about violence, but we aren’t, and we aren’t even surprised.


On many levels we have gotten used to living in a violent world.


This is what should be shocking.


We accept living in a violent world as normal. I want you to think about this last statement.


I’m going to repeat it. We accept living in a violent world as normal. Many people believe violence is just a part of life on earth. This is only true if you believe it to be true.


I know that we can do better. Our entire world is unraveling because we are out of alignment with love. Many believe we are running out of time to create changes that will set our world and the citizens of earth on a pathway that will save our beloved planet.


True change begins with a consciousness shift. Change begins with each one of us. It will take many shifts of consciousness to change our world back into a place of peace and love.


A shift we can each make is to no longer accept violence as a normal part of our lives. To begin to do this each one of must search within and begin to eradicate the anger and beliefs of separation consciousness we each hold.


In my most recent book The Unraveling Continues-The Birth of Unity Consciousness I wrote extensively about not taking sides. Taking a side automatically puts you into separation consciousness. We will never find lasting peace or solve the problems of violence by separating ourselves from the issues and people we have disagreements with.


I don’t know who threw the first rock, arrow, or poisonous dart but we are still in the energy of that very first conflict. I’m not asking anyone to put their weapons down. I’m asking for each of us to begin a soul-searching dialogue with ourselves and then with others. What I’m asking is that we each look within and answer a few questions.


1. Do you believe we can experience lasting peace on earth?

2. Is your desire to truly live in peace or just survive until the next conflict.

3. Are you surprised when you hear about violence in the world, your country, your town?

4. Do you believe it’s possible to stop taking sides?

5. Are you willing to listen with an open heart to people you disagree with?

There many more questions to ask but I believe these are a good start.


As we move through this time of unraveling, we need to begin to build upon a foundation of Unity Consciousness. We must come together in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation. We must come together seeking the common good for everyone. This is what the spirit of places like Chautauqua is about. We need places like this on every street corner around the world. Perhaps you will start such a place of conversation and love within your own community.


Holding you all in LOVE, Katye Anna Teacher of Soul



For More Information Go To: The Illuminated Soul Training

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