Are our problems the reality, or our perceptions of the reality?

I'm starting to think that maybe I've been too harsh on Rūaumoko (atua of earthquakes, volcanoes) over the last few weeks, which is reflective of the phase I've been in and what I've been trying to work through and make sense of.  I mean, what do you expect the result to be of a dark, frustrated and destructive environment?

“what you say about them says more about you, than it does about them”

Substitute 'them' with a person, a place or a situation, it doesn't matter.  We see the world not as it is, but as we are.  We see the world through a lens tinted by our own perspective, upbringing, culture, values and beliefs.  So perhaps if I was covering Rūaumoko at a more cruisey time in my life - like after I had settled in back home, after finishing the book, planning the launch and the tour, after easing into my new mahi (jobs) - my description of him and the metaphors I'd have drawn from his stories would be a little different.

It's similar to considering a different perspective about how Hinetītama (Dawn Maiden) became Hinenuitepō (Goddess of Death): was it a story of suicide? Or one of transformation after a traumatic experience? It depends on how you perceive it, in my opinion...

Perception determines what you see in a situation,

so if I'm going to perceive Rūaumoko's behaviour as acting out and expressing frustration and anger towards his brothers (for abandoning him), for his life sentence of remaining inside Papatuānuku's (Mother Earth) womb; that's exactly what I'm going to see.  But if I can rise above the fog of frustration that's been clouding my mind lately and observe his behaviours for what they are, not how I am - I can acknowledge that there could be something else going on altogether. 

How about the fact he's never met his father, Ranginui (Sky Father) or his brothers and sisters for that matter. Perhaps the eruptions and earthquakes are his way of trying to get out and reconnect with his dad and his whānau (family);

I know I'd do as many haka as I could if it meant a chance to see my dad again..

It doesn't help that pretty much all of the stories about Rūaumoko paint the same picture - the disgruntled unborn child of Rangi and Papa.  But just because it's the most common perception, doesn't make it true.   Just because your environment (internal and external) is telling you the universe is against you, you're useless, making dreams come true is for other people and not you, you're hot shit - maybe take an extra second, take a breath..

Is it really how it is? Or how you perceive it to be? And if it is your perception - it might be worth analysing to see if it's working in your favour and keep you in a positive mindset, or if it's making you miserable and encouraging your haterade...

Kia ora tātou,

Hana.

Previous
Previous

Can you be connected to someone, or something you've never met?

Next
Next

the level of thinking that has brought you this far in life has created some problems that this level of thinking cannot solve