| The Question of Compassion - Humanity’s Unfinished Business Catherine Dees |
| The Question of Compassion - Humanity’s Unfinished Business Catherine Dees |
Catherine Dees is a woman of quiet beauty. She radiates a lightness of spirit and projects her curious and astute mind with grace. As she entered the church that evening, her presence could be felt. She is a gentle and admittedly hesitant speaker, but her words resonated loud and clear in the warm glow of the appreciative crowd gathered in a sacred space. She explained that although she is a Stanford graduate, she is not a scientist, but a writer and editor who has a particular talent for synthesizing disparate materials. A talent that was clearly visible.
Ms. Dees began her talk with quotes on compassion from various religious traditions, philosophers, teachers, and world leaders:
Ms. Dees explained that we are a part of a participatory universe. What we do does make a difference to all the other beings we share the universe with. “If you understood this to be undeniably true, would you live your life differently?” she asked. “We are living in a culture that needs scientific proof.” Fortunately, that proof is beginning to become available to us. We are slowly beginning to understand the plasticity of our minds. Are we hardwired to become who we are, or can we influence the outcome? If we knew, without a doubt, that all cells carry imprints of habitual thought, how would forgiveness affect the immune system? How would hope and expectation affect the body? How would helping others improve our own health? We may be a bit closer to answers to these questions.
Ms. Dees spoke of the hard work she and her partner undertook bringing the original Continuum Exhibit to fruition under difficult circumstances. Against great odds, and a covertly unsupportive museum director, The Continuum Exhibit was launched with great success in 1978. The success of that exhibit created an interest in a follow up project - the evolving exhibit we are hearing about today.
If you believe that there are no coincidences, then the story of the new exhibit’s life makes perfect sense. Ms. Dees’ friend and co-creator of the Continuum Exhibit died 6 years ago. She explained that she felt lost and had no sense of direction in terms of moving forward with this project. Her partner provided the information she needed in a vivid dream. Her “intentionality” was born. Intentionality. Look it up in the dictionary. You won’t find it, but its meaning became quite clear as we listened to Ms. Dees explain it. “Intentionality is the sum total of your focus, your color, your vibration.”
Although the exhibit is still in its formative stages, certain elements are clear. Some early storyboards were presented to the audience and one was particularly striking. It read:
“What if you lived in a world where everything counts….. absolutely everything? How would you touch your dog or look at a flower? How would you react to the smallest things? What your deepest intentions are? What you love and fear? At some level our thoughts and deeds are recorded or imprinted in the fabric of life.”
Another storyboard explored “The Secret Life of the Heart” and asked the reader “Did you think it was just a pump?” The storyboard went on to explain that in ancient Egyptian culture, your heart was who you were. “It was the seat of your intelligence, your feelings, and your moral sense. All your life’s thoughts and deeds were permanently recorded in your heart.”
Although these pieces are only drafts, Ms. Dees’ intentionality is clear. This is a project that will enliven, inspire and provide alternative ways of viewing our world. While this writer can only give her readers a small glimpse of what is to be, Ms. Dees’ own words will supply a better view. She writes, “If the first exhibit suggested that consciousness exists within an interconnected web of life, the new exhibit will explore how we can best function in this state of interconnectedness - what it means to live in a world where everything counts and every choice we make affects everything else. The central theme of this exhibit is that the prime essence of the universe is vast, living compassion, and that the next great step for humanity is to wake up to and bring the principle of compassion into each moment of choice.”
The evening closed with a question-and-answer session that provided some thought- provoking discussion. Perhaps the most telling question was one that was raised regarding the role terrorism is playing in the world today. The answer seemed as simple as the question seemed complex: forgiveness. Forgiveness, although not easy, is the act of acknowledging the humanity, the weakness, and the situation of the person who caused harm. This does not mean the person is absolved or has no responsibility for his or her actions. There is evidence in the world that not all conflict or acts of terrorism need to be met with the same action. For an example, Ms. Dees spoke of Desmond Tutu and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Ms. Dees was clear that she does not want this project to be politicized, only to be thought provoking and to present an alternative view.
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For further information on this exhibit, contact The Continuum Center at 2538 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-374-4948.
Reading materials mentioned in this lecture include: