Dismantle oppressive systems through forgiveness for our humanity

By Shiri Godasi

A couple of days ago I shared a livestream of what I felt was the most important presentation that I ever delivered. 

Since then, I have been the object of accusation/plat du jour for some folx. 

I’ve been accused of being a “white woman that wears dreads”

Of wearing a black hairstyle

My speech being un-nuanced and lacking complexity

Whiteness taking up space - not OK (wtf) 

Declared a “No pass” in a BIPOC psychedelic chat with the word “inclusive” in the description (I’m a full non-white, middle Eastern woman)

And a person that I have never heard of has made a video about my video, publicly shaming me. Posting my pictures from the internet with mockery. A blunt type of racial violence

These messages all came from what seemed to be younger people who have a lot on their hearts and are likely children to families who have endured a whole lot. 

I realize, there are generations of pain and trauma to transmute

Sick, colonizing, oppressive systems that have ruined communities and cultures, that need to be held accountable

And that it may take generations to dismantle, heal, and find a new way of being with one another

We are in the thick of picking deep into the wounds. And it ain’t pretty

The differences, expectations, misunderstandings, shortcomings, disappointments, will be smeared in our faces

There are deep raptures and no person of conscious awareness is immune from sitting in them. We need to sit there and be in dialogue. 

A fruitful dialogue is a negotiation. It must include elements of clarity in goals, authentic delivery, compassionate inquiry, and rejuvenation so we can keep going.

When the focus is solely on the raptures and disconnection, there will be no repair or integration. It is a perpetuation of the same pattern we are aiming to disrupt. 

As long as people - any people - keep using skin color to wage war and violence -

These systems of oppression will not be dismantled.

Read that part again.

I’m no expert in anyone else’s pain or culture but my own. and don’t aim to be. Yet I am aware & attempt to take fruitful action towards peace. Working towards the exact same mission of disrupting ill systems, social justice and healing. 

My expert zone is psychedelic integration and bridging ancient technologies with new-Earth patterns towards a new and harmonious reality.

Integration is 

1. Awareness,
2. acknowledgement/acceptance
3. fruitful action.

The second step may be the most difficult part. This is where we sit in the thick of the wound and clean it so it can heal.. 

The ancient technology for psycho spiritual cleaning and healing, is forgiveness. 

Cease from attachment to external, visual and superficial markers and feel into the intention of people. See their highest self at play and practice forgiveness for the shortcomings of their human experience. 

We understand different love languages but we all say love. 

*** Forgiveness as a means towards reconnection is the message of the medicine ***

Listen to this beautiful song downloaded in ceremony through my brother/former student Sergio Saenz .

Also friendly reminder -

Pain and inability to practice forgiveness doesn’t give anyone a free pass to be an a-hole. 

It’s a sick and violent planet. You want to end the violence - do your best to eliminate it from yourself. Turn to the community for holding.

A few days ago at MAPS Psychedelic Science conference, an indigenous elder in full regalia approached me and thanked me for speaking up on the socials - for the exact same words I shared in the livestream. 

With this blessing my intention is to continue learning to stand up for what I believe in - harmonious integration of spirit + human - while doing no harm. 

Peace

Shiri

PS - this year is the last run of our beloved certificate program. As part of my efforts towards creating accessibility I’m offering a massive tuition reduction for every registrant, new scholarship ops for BIPOC folx and a brand-new container for my psychedelic sisters - inspired by conversations/connections made in the conference.