Every one of us carries wounding. Part of our current turmoil comes from the discomfort that the dominant group feels as those they have historically oppressed continue to reclaim their humanity. The dominant group ‘s wound, created by being the oppressor, is being exposed. Lacking the coping and healing tools that the oppressed have developed over time, the dominant group is trying to retreat into denial. To complicate matters, many of us belong to multiple groups––embodying both the oppressed and the oppressor. I am a woman and I am white. I have both anglo and tribal Jewish ancestry.

Native Grandfather: Everyone has wounding. It is not possible to walk this Earth and not be wounded. It is our work here to see our wounds, understand them, and still be able to be the journey of Spirit walking the Earth. Everyone is in a different place on their path of wounding and healing. Everyone is carrying not only their own wounds, but also those of their ancestors. The purpose of healing is not just for oneself, it is also for all those we carry in our DNA threads.

Ancestor wounds may be obscured by time and generations, until they are not easily recognized. Some ancestor wounds are closer to the surface, and harder to separate from our own. We all have this wounding and this opportunity. Groups and cultures included. No one person has the authority to say that this is where we all need to be. The best we can do is to heal our own wounds and offer that as an example. If others accept that or not, it’s up to them. When enough people are doing their healing work, then a group or culture will also heal.

What is your own wound? How does it extend from your ancestors? What can you do for your own healing? It is important to do this work. It has to be personalized to you. 

Healing is not a linear path. It does not happen on a timeline. It is deep work that affects the Whole, the Everything, which includes you. 

——————————–

~ For more on oppression, trauma, and healing see Grandmother Dreams, p. 65-93.