Month: March 2025

Just returned from a walk into town. Samantha, Barbara and I visited the Tuesday market where I had to buy my final jalapeño asiago bagel from Mort’s. After the market we went to Sugar and Spice for breakfast and then strolled through Library Park.

I was happy that we finally got some decent weather for Samantha. She got caught in a downpour yesterday.

As we were having breakfast, Samantha surprised me with this necklace that I was admiring at the market. I thought, maybe next year. It’s made of a Brazilian stone. I can’t remember what the vendor called it in Portugues, but he said it is commonly known as Brazilian ivory.

I also received another nice little gem from my friend, Myra, who does clay art. I asked her if she would cover my dinky dip holder. It took some experimenting, but she did a lovely job.

We saw these hibiscus during our walk today. I’m going to redo my yellow one from yesterday. I also like the lavender.

Again yesterday, I resolved to leave social media and limit my intake of the news. I thought I could stay and just fact-check posts about the current administration that angered me, but apparently I can’t do it.

I got a wake-up call yesterday from someone whose opinion I value and was told that my comments were a direct contradiction to other things that I post. It was hard to hear, and I’ve been struggling with it, but I realize that I just do not have the nervous system to handle this. I was operating with the intention of resisting, not being passive and rolling over, but taking responsibility for what is happening in our country. It’s not working for me. I’m not sleeping, and I know that is not good for me. So… here we go.

Again, today was rough, hearing about the “little glitch” of the administration “inadvertently” putting our national security at risk. I just have to hope that somewhere, somehow, people more powerful than I will be able to take control.

In the meantime, to anyone who is reading this, whom I may have abused, angered or insulted, just know it’s not you, it’s the policies that I’m responding to, but…I’m done.

So, this is the last time I will be posting the link to my blog on Facebook. If you want to see it, it will be at christinekunert.com. It’s still my journal. I don’t want to delete my FB account because I have trip journals there. Soon, I’ll figure out how to download my posts, then I’ll be off. Bye-bye.

Samantha is here and all settled in.

I met Samantha while walking El Portugues (Camino) last year. She was going through a tough time, and we talked for hours during the hike. She called me her “angel of the Camino.” Everyone meets one, you know. She gave me this little gem. I think it’s onyx. It’s very sparkly. I learned this from AI: Mica glitter mixed with black onyx can create a deep, shimmering effect for various crafts, including bath bombs, resin art, and cosmetics.

And the lovely asymmetry leads me to believe it’s handmade. I love it.

Yesterday, we walked into town, and I showed Samantha around a bit. We encountered a car show in el Centro, mostly Volkswagen Beetles. She is now comfortable venturing off on her own. Not that she needed me to do that, but I was able to point out a few things.

Samantha expressed an interest in birding, so last night we took a bottle of wine next door to Doug and Cindy’s, who invited her to go birding with them this morning on the Pipeline Trail. Doug is an ornithologist, and he and Cindy go out every day. So, they were off at the ass crack this morning. I was happy to remain behind and did some cooking.

This evening we took a vegetable curry over to Kathy’s and watched Part 2 of Samadhi. I’m really enjoying it. It’s nice to have this sort of refresher course in centering and serenity during this tough time. I am also grateful that there are so many movies, YouTube videos and books now available to help people understand more clearly who they really are.

I also watched an excellent YouTube video Zoom conversation today that was recommended by my friend, Elaine Vogelstein, in California. It was an insightful discussion from the intellectual Christian/Catholic and Indigenous perspectives on how to respond to the time we are living through. It’s a good one. I especially resonanted with Andrew Harvey who talked about our global challenge as a “dark night of the soul,” similar to that experienced by an individual who goes through a dark period, only to come out the other side “new and improved” so to speak – more peaceful, happy, calm, aware.. all that. I have faith that this is what is happening. It’s physics. As above so below; as below so above.

And here is today’s flower. I was inspired by a hyacinth I saw while walking yesterday. Next time I’m out, I’m going to take a photo and see if I can capture it better. Kathy told me that I need to color the bee. So, I’ll do that.

I got the re-proofed copy of the book back yesterday. I haven’t looked at it. I think I’ll wait until I get home. I don’t want to deal with any challenges during these final fun days.

I had such fun yesterday and today teaching Kathy, Holly and Cindy more about card making. They couldn’t all come together, so Kathy came yesterday and the other two this afternoon. They wanted one more class before I leave, which is the 29th. They especially wanted to learn how to assemble the cards and make envelopes. So, that’s what we did. I felt like I was back in school, preparing a project. I really enjoyed it, but was happy that I wasn’t actually back in school. I did think, however, while I was doing it that it would have been so much nicer in school if I had the attitude that I have now, just doing things for the joy of it, focusing on that feeling and not the feeling of judgment. Ah…too soon old, too late “smart.” There should be a saying that ends with “wise.” It’s not really about being smart.

Mickey Facetimed me this morning. She said that she was wondering how I would get the cards with the gems into envelopes. It took her a while to realize they were drawn on.

There was a nasty storm here the other night. Betty heard a crash at 3 a.m. and discovered this:

She said she called the landlord, brushed the plaster off Oscar, and went back to bed. The landlord was there the next day and cleaned things up. Not sure how the repair will be done.

Today, I was looking for my reservation at Las Lajas so that I could contact them and schedule appointments with Lisa for massage. I can’t find the reservation. Heart sinkage. I’m waiting to hear back from them. I will be disappointed for sure if we can’t go. I’ve been texting Samantha about how great it is. I think that perhaps I made the reservation while I was there over Christmas, and so I wouldn’t have an email. Fingers crossed.

I’m thinking of dinners and food in general to have while Samantha is here. Today, Debra dropped off fresh eggs, kale, basil and parsley from the farm. I’m making a double recipe of meatballs in marinara on the 19th. I’ll take it to Kathy’s that night for movie night, to Don and Lesley’s on the 20th for game night, and then have it ready on the 21st for Samantha’s arrival. So, that takes care of three dinner responsibilities.

I’ll walk into town late tomorrow afternoon, do my shopping and have Jerry pick me up from the grocery store to go to his house for dinner. Then I’ll have a ride home with all the groceries for Samantha’s stay, as well as all of the things on my “Replace” list.

The Ides of March. Kathy “got me” this morning by texting me that “the shops were open.” It’s a game we’ve been playing for 60 years. On March 15 ‘lo those many years ago, we were busted for skipping school. I called the attendance monitor at school that morning pretending to be my mom saying that Kathy and I couldn’t attend school because we were going out of town. So, when Kathy and I walked in the kitchen door later that afternoon (as expected), our mother said, “How’s was out of town?” Oops…

It’s been almost two weeks since I last posted. In that time I lost three friends: our neighbor, Carol, who was 93 and being tended by home hospice; Marilyn Wanda (78), a long-time golfing buddy; and Sandy Draelos (61), the wife of Tom, one of our Greek-friends group. Marilyn texted me about six months ago to tell me she had been diagnosed with a blood cancer but felt fine and was undergoing chemo. Sandy fell down a flight of stairs and hit her head. Dan also lost one of his high school classmates and learned of the death of Lisa Deiss Docter, a friend from his childhood (the sister of Ray Deiss). Lisa was diagnosed with liver cancer about 18 months ago. I guess we’d better get used to it.

We had a game night at Don and Lesley’s recently. We played Mexican Train. I was a bit discombobulated since I’ve only played it once before, and apparently there is this thing called “house rules,” which means the rules change depending on the host/hostess. I finally caught on (I think). We’re having another game night on the 20th. I offered to prepare the entree (spaghetti and meatballs), since Lesley has hosted so many times, and they missed my fish fry. I think I may have also been nominated to read the rules for the new Panamanian Monopoly game we will be playing. I need to make a point to get those before the 20th.

I’m engaged in a frustrating backing-and-forthing with the publisher. They sent me their first proofread. I was overwhelmed by the literally thousands of comments in the margin. I realized that, not only did they comment on every single instance of two spaces after a period (where they only want one), they also apparently edited it using a British style guide. I’ve asked them twice now to edit it using the Chicago Style. So, I’m just taking a breath and waiting. I’m in no rush.

Can’t remember if I already posted this, but Trivia night has changed, and one can no longer walk in with a few people and join another group to form a team. All of the tables are reserved for established teams. So, last night, instead, I asked Jerry and Linda if they wanted to go to the full-moon party at Ngärdi. Jerry said yes, and he met Kathy Rutz and I for dinner. This restaurant is one of the few “up-scale” Panamanian restaurants. It was expensive by Boquete standards, but the food was very good – except for Jerry’s appetizer, which was something made with yucca. He didn’t eat it, and I didn’t even try it. I know I don’t like yucca. I remember having it once at a Cuban restaurant in downtown Milwaukee with Dianne. Can’t remember the name of it, but the yucca left a yukka impression.

On my walk into town last night I saw this man carving a tree trunk. These are numerous around town, but this is the first time I have seen one being created.

I spent part of my day today trying to see if I could get an absentee ballot for the WI Supreme Court election on April 1. I wasn’t paying attention and thought that I would be home on the 1st. I’m actually in transit all of the 1st. I don’t arrive in Chicago until 4/2. Dang. I was hoping I could get the ballot emailed to me here, but that is only done for active military abroad. Lesson learned.

And here are the latest gems. I’m looking forward to doing this at home where I have better tools. They are so much fun to make.

Happy Birthday Dianne!

Can’t believe we’re into March already. But…I still have a month here in paradise. I was going to hold off purchasing more ink and paper before I return home, but it seemed like a waste of practice to use the inferior materials that will not be part of the final project. Saturday morning I was happy that my order showed up at RedNBlue, so I was able to pick it up after breakfast with the gang at Sugar and Spice. Well, they weren’t all there, but it was still lovely.

And my breakfast was unique and delicious. I can’t remember what it was called, but it was two eggs over easy atop beans and hojaldre (the bread), topped with salsa and pickled onions. I would love to be able to replicate this.

This is today’s practice with new ink and paper.

A number of shaky spots, but I’m getting the feel of it.

On Wednesday, we had a gem day at Kathy’s. Everyone picked their favorite.

Kathy did the blue one, Cindy the emerald, Holly the “blueberry,” and Nancy just watched, since she had to leave early for an appointment with Dr. Shannon. I texted her yesterday and asked if she were up for a visit, but she’s just too tired. She has good days and not-so-good days, but she continues on with grace and a smile.

I just finished this one for Barbara. I was going to wrap it and have her save it for her birthday in May, but I changed my mind and gave it to her on Friday.

I’ve started experimenting with adding gems to flowers in my cards.

I’ve been doing relatively well with limiting my exposure and maintaining my composure regarding what’s going on in the U.S. As a sort of emotional release, I posted for the first time on Substack:

AWAKENING: MY TAKE ON THE DIVIDE BETWEEN “WOKE” AND MAGA

This essay is the product of a collaboration between Perplexity, an AI language model, and me. I developed the core ideas and arguments, and the AI assisted in articulating and refining them. I believe AI can be a valuable tool for enhancing human creativity and communication. 

I was motivated to write this essay to better understand the deep divisions in our society and to explore paths towards healing and reconciliation. I believe that by examining the spiritual underpinnings of these divisions, we can find common ground and move towards a more unified and compassionate world. Moreover, our world may be undergoing a collective “dark night of the soul.” Just as individuals often experience a period of intense challenge and emerge with increased awareness and insight, so too can this transformative process occur on a global scale, potentially leading to a more enlightened future for humanity.

In recent years, American culture has witnessed a growing divide between two groups often labeled as “Woke” and “MAGA.” This polarization has led to a clash of ideologies, with each side viewing the other as a threat to their vision of America. However, beneath this surface-level conflict lies a deeper spiritual awakening that has been misunderstood and misappropriated by both sides.

The Origin and Evolution of “Woke”

The term “woke” has undergone a significant transformation since its inception. Originally rooted in African-American vernacular, it emerged as a call for awareness of social injustices and racial inequalities. The phrase “stay woke” can be traced back to the 1930s, urging Black Americans to remain vigilant against racist violence. Over time, the term gained broader usage, particularly during the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2014.

However, the meaning of “woke” has since been co-opted and distorted. Today, it is often used as a pejorative by conservatives to describe progressive values and social justice initiatives. This shift in usage has obscured the term’s original intent and spiritual underpinnings.

The Spiritual Roots of Awakening

At its core, true awakening is a spiritual concept that transcends political labels. It represents an understanding of our fundamental interconnectedness – the realization that we are all expressions of a single Source or God. This awakening involves a shift from perceiving ourselves as separate entities to recognizing our inherent oneness with all of existence.

This spiritual awakening is not new. Throughout history, figures like Jesus, Buddha, Lao Tzu, and more recent teachers like Eckhart Tolle and Rupert Spira have attempted to convey this profound truth. Their teachings emphasize love as the ultimate expression of this understanding – not as a mere emotion, but as a state of being that recognizes the equality and inherent value of all.

Evolutionary Perspectives on Oneness

The concept of oneness has been explored through various evolutionary perspectives:

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin: This French Jesuit priest and paleontologist proposed that evolution leads to increasing complexity and consciousness, culminating in the “Omega Point.” He envisioned a “noosphere,” a thinking layer enveloping the earth, formed by interconnected human minds through knowledge and technology, leading to a state of collective consciousness. Modern followers of Teilhard’s philosophy see the internet as a manifestation of the noosphere, viewing it as a global network of human thought and information that aligns with his vision of increasing interconnectedness.

Ray Kurzweil: This futurist predicts a “Singularity,” where artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence, leading to rapid technological growth and a new form of collective consciousness as humans merge with their technological devices. 

Yuval Noah Harari: A historian and bestselling author of books including Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (2011) and Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI (2024), Harari approaches cosmic evolution from a secular, scientific standpoint. He views human consciousness and our ability to create shared beliefs as products of natural evolutionary processes. Harari argues that humans have always had a troubled relationship with truth, constructing elaborate stories and convincing others to believe in them. He emphasizes that individuals and societies cling to their personal narratives as ultimate truths, despite the fact that these stories are often fictional constructs. He states, “No human society has ever cornered the market on absolute truth. The truth is that everything changes, people are never satisfied, and identities are fictional.” This perspective highlights how our personal and collective stories shape our understanding of reality and influence our actions on both individual and societal levels.

David Brooks: A political and cultural commentator, Brooks has undergone a significant spiritual evolution, moving from agnosticism to a profound sense of faith. Brooks now views faith not as a set of beliefs, but as a “longing” – a continuous process of seeking and questioning. He emphasizes that this evolution wasn’t driven by intellectual arguments, but by what he calls “numinous experiences” – moments of awe and wonder that revealed “wider dimensions of existence.” Brooks sees this focus on morality and spirituality as addressing a hunger for meaning, especially among younger generations. He also speaks to the idea of evolution through suffering as “rupture and repair.”  

Viktor Frankl: A renowned psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor, and author of the influential book Man’s Search for Meaning(1946), Frankl’s perspective on longing echoes Brooks’ views. Frankl emphasized the importance of meaning in human life, arguing that our primary drive is not pleasure or power, but the pursuit of what we find meaningful. He believed that meaning can be discovered through creative work, experiences, or by adopting an attitude towards unavoidable suffering. Frankl’s concept of “logotherapy” is based on the idea that we are driven by a “will to meaning” or an inner desire to find purpose in life…. These diverse viewpoints highlight the ongoing debate about the nature of human consciousness and our potential for collective unity. They suggest that our evolution, whether viewed through a spiritual, technological, cultural, or psychological lens, is moving towards greater interconnectedness and a search for deeper meaning. 

From Chardin’s concept of the noosphere to Kurzweil’s technological singularity, from Harari’s emphasis on shared narratives to Brooks’ spiritual awakening, and Frankl’s focus on finding meaning in all circumstances, these perspectives offer a rich tapestry of ideas about human purpose and our collective future.

The MAGA Response and Misunderstanding

The MAGA movement, which emerged during Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, represents a different worldview. Rooted in nativism and a desire to return to a perceived past greatness, MAGA adherents often view the concept of “wokeness” as a threat to traditional American values.

This reaction stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of what true awakening entails. The MAGA perspective often reinforces an “us vs. them” mentality, believing in the superiority of an in-group over perceived out-groups. This mindset directly contradicts the principle of oneness that lies at the heart of spiritual awakening.

The Challenge of Love and Understanding

The current cultural divide presents a significant challenge. Those who are genuinely awakening to the reality of our interconnectedness may find themselves labeled as “woke” in a derogatory sense. Simultaneously, they may struggle to extend the same understanding and compassion to those who oppose their views.

True love, in the spiritual sense, involves recognizing that given the exact same circumstances of birth and conditioning, we would act just as those we might judge. This understanding extends even to figures like Trump or Musk, whose behaviors may be rooted in their own painful experiences and limited understanding of love. 

It’s crucial to recognize that we are all products of our conditioning, our personal stories. As Yuval Noah Harari highlights in his writings, we all have our narratives, and we tend to believe our story is the absolute truth. This perspective is further explored in Bruce Perry’s book “What Happened to You,” which emphasizes the impact of early experiences on shaping our behaviors and worldviews.

Consider Trump and Musk, for instance. Their upbringings, particularly their relationships with their fathers, have significantly influenced their adult behaviors and values. They apparently never learned what love feels like and instead seek it in externals, such as power and money.   Rather than simply judging their actions, we can choose to view each person as having a metaphorical book in front of them, explaining their conditioning. We have the option to move this book aside and see them in their essence, without the conditioning – an essence that is, in fact, a reflection of ourselves.

From this perspective, the difference between good and evil can be seen as the difference between love and ego. Consciousness can be viewed as gradations of concentric energy, with ego (the conditioned mind/story) at the dense center, and love as the outer, most expansive level.

The Path Forward

Bridging this divide requires a deeper understanding of love not as a fleeting romantic emotion, but as a powerful force for peace and prosperity. It involves recognizing that the journey to this realization may be long and challenging, but ultimately rewarding.

As we navigate these turbulent times, it’s crucial to remember that the labels of “woke” and “MAGA” are superficial distinctions that mask our shared humanity. By focusing on our fundamental interconnectedness and cultivating genuine understanding, we can work towards healing the divisions in our society.

Paradoxically, figures like Trump and Musk, despite representing ideologies that many find problematic, play an instrumental role in our collective evolution towards love. They embody the fear and hate that we must confront and understand to truly appreciate love. Just as personal growth often emerges from suffering, societal evolution can arise from confronting our deepest challenges. As the ancient wisdom states: “As above, so below” – this principle applies to all levels of creation.

The path to true awakening is not about political affiliations or cultural labels. It’s about recognizing the love and unity that exist beneath our apparent differences. As more individuals come to this realization, we may find that the current cultural divide gives way to a more harmonious and compassionate society – one that honors our shared essence while celebrating our diverse expressions.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while the divide between “woke” and MAGA ideologies may seem insurmountable, it presents an opportunity for profound spiritual growth and societal evolution. By embracing a perspective of universal love and understanding, we can transform this conflict into a catalyst for positive change, moving towards a more unified and compassionate world.

As Martin Luther King Jr. so eloquently stated, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

Tonight is dinner at Lesley and Don’s.