Obama and the Palin Effect (Part 2)
My post a few weeks ago on Sarah Palin acting as Barack Obama's psychological shadow triggered a lot of people. I thought it would be worthwhile to talk about how one deals with the shadow once it breaks out and begins to disrupt things. But first a short recap: The emergence of Gov. Palin wasn't simply startling -- it was inexplicable. How could 20% of women voters suddenly turn toward her when Palin stands for erasing forty years of feminism? How could the mentality of a small-town mayor morph into a potential President making global decisions? To explain her meteoric rise, I offered the idea that each of us harbors a shadow, a place where our hidden impulses live. By appealing to fear, resentment, hostility to change, suspicion of "the other," and similar dark impulses, the Republicans have been the shadow's party for a long time. Sarah Palin put a smiling face on feelings that normally we feel ashamed of.
The shadow is irrational; it thrives on gut emotions. (A recent Fox News poll ran with the headline, "In their gut, independents choose McCain.") Bringing the 2008 campaign down to the gut level means bringing it down to the level of the shadow. Instead of listening to an intelligent, persuasive, charismatic man with one African-American parent, people get to say, "I just don't like blacks. They're scary; they're not like me. It's a gut thing." Only it's not. It's a shadow thing that each of us, not just the right wing, must deal with. Reacting to Palin with fear, confusion, panic, and lashing out also comes from the shadow.
People who were shocked and dismayed by the Palin effect generally don't know how to handle shadow energies. Here are a few salient points:
1. Don't panic -- The shadow is built into your psyche, and when it brings fear, hostility, and resentment to the surface, those feelings want to get out. They cause disruption, but your panic only makes them stick around longer.
2. Try not to be overwhelmed -- Eruptions from the shadow are transitory. If you don't encourage them, these energies dissipate naturally. If you are overwhelmed, however, the net result is exhaustion and loss of energy.
3. Remind yourself who you really are -- You are much more than your shadow, because your aspirations, hopes, and dreams keep advancing despite the shadow's apparent power. Pay the least attention to these disruptions as you need to calm down and no more.
4. Keep a clear focus -- The shadow creates disorder and runaway emotions. If you focus on your purpose and remain rational, you will anchor yourself to a more stable reality.
5. Don't fight fire with fire -- If you sink to the level of dark energies, you will be fighting on their terms, and the likelihood is that you will lose.
If we translate these points into current politics, they are clearly applicable. The Democrats were triggered by Palin because they fear losing and that fear runs deep. The bogeymen that frighten us the most come from a primitive level; they stir a sense of childish helplessness. But your mature self, like Obama's campaign organization, is coherent and knows how to carry out its purpose. Realize that American politics has been dominated by shadow issues for decades, so it's only natural they still have claws and teeth. But their game has gotten old and tired. If you are able to see past the appeal to fear and resentment, have trust that other people can, too.
The bottom line is that the 2008 election isn't about change versus experience or a noble candidate who may lose to one who plays dirty. This election is about consciousness. Since the Reagan revolution, consciousness has been sleepy and dull in politics; ideals have been tarnished by cynicism; inner decay has sapped the party in power of its original purpose, leaving only a pointless morass of defensiveness that expresses itself in negativity. If the majority of the electorate wakes up and feels inspired to turn the page, that will happen. Obama has sounded the call; few people missed the message. Now it's a matter of dealing with a phase of fear and resistance before we discover if stuck consciousness is ready to move ahead.
Visit www.intent.com to read more from Deepak Chopra and other prominent voices.
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I think you hit the nail on the head. Most voters will not get this whole shadow concept, never mind the consciousness part. What is going to jog them out of the gut thing and into getting this right? Clearly, the job of McCain and company is to keep the fear up and the shadow looming large. Keep the gut feel going. How does one counter that in a practical way? Why don't you let that be the subject of your next article - and write that article now please......
See Leah McElrath Renna's Profile
As a psychotherapist with some training in Jungian concepts, I greatly appreciate your insightful analysis about Palin as a manifestation of "the shadow."
One point that I would elaborate on, however, is that many people need to see an archetypal "warrior" capacity in Obama. Many of those who have encouraged him not to be afraid to "go negative" when necessary (as I did in a recent piece) recognize the need for him to be able to offer the power of the sword as well as the promise of the chalice in order to be most effective as a leader.
One can attack in a way that does not necessarily come from a place of dark energy (like using lies and fear stimulation) - but rather one of righteous ferocity (addressing the real fears and dangers and responding to the distortions created).
Again, great piece. Thank you.
I agree with your note about Obama being a warrior, but disagree with what that should look like.
I wish sometimes that Obama would address his supporters instead of responding to the negativity the other side spews. In his addresses to Americans, he could in essense say -- don't worry, they are lying and slamming me as we expected them to. We knew this fight would be tough, but you need to stay strong. Remember who we are, and we are hope, optimisim, and the future." In other words, instead of being stuck in defensive battle, I see him as a warrior who stands above the battle looking over the horizon, guiding his followers.
See Leah McElrath Renna's Profile
Thank you for saying that. I actually agree very much with you and am sorry that I didn't mention that in my original post.
The Obama campaign has done a better job of showing the sword recently - with the ad about the economy being the most effective of the bunch. But, HIS message - and even his energy - has become somewhat lost in the process. That is the part to which I refer as the chalice.
The key is the balance of both.
LEAH
You mean like the Righteous and stinging Indignation espoused by Dr. Martin Luther King.
"Instead of listening to an intelligent, persuasive, charismatic man with one African-American parent, people get to say, "I just don't like blacks. They're scary; they're not like me. It's a gut thing." Only it's not. It's a shadow thing that each of us, not just the right wing, must deal with."
Recent polls indicate that 6% of the population are reluctant to vote for a black candidate but nearly 25% are reluctant to vote for a candidate who is 72 years old. Clearly McCain has more "shadow" to overcome than Obama does.
Secondly, "The bottom line is that the 2008 election isn't about change versus experience or a noble candidate who may lose to one who plays dirty. This election is about consiousness." Uh huh, right. Why is it that the so called noble candidate has twice blitzed radio stations with calls, emails and faxes to try to prevent journalists from being interviewed only because they had identified issues related to Obama's past with William Ayers. Further, the campaign attempted to have the Department of Justice bring charges against an issue advocacy organization for ads that were found to be truthful. The DOJ denied their request.
And finally, why is your candidate not out renouncing the fraudulent activities of his prior employer ACORN for charges brought up in Michigan for fraudulent voter registration? Does he need to cheat in this election in order to win it? Is this the consciousness that this election is about?
Those are sidebar issues trumpeted by extreme rightwingers like Limbaugh and hannity. Senator Obama is not perfect and neither is anyone else, and to continue to harp on these issues shows a callous disregard for what we all should be concerned with and that is:
1. The economy
2. The environment
3. Unnecessary wars with unending loss of young lives
4. The spiralling cost of basic foodstuf, utilities and fuel.
5. Cost of education
6. lack of proper health insurance for millions, and rising
Don't tell me that worrying about ACORN, Rev. Wright, etc. are more important. But then again you Republicans believe Palin is a better VP candidate than the hitherto before well-liked Romney, Huckaby, Lieberman, et al. What happened to these guys; they don't cut it anymore, and Palin does??
Well they were somewhat central to the points about Obama being a spiritual revelation due to his enlightened consciousness or some such rubbish. Your side talks about politicizing the justice department under Bush. This guy is trying to criminalize political speech before he even gets his hands on the reins of power. But according to you, the ends apparently justify whatever means are necessary to obtain them. I think not.
1. Economy - Obama - I don't trust his instincts to help the economy whatsoever and certainly raising taxes on capital gains and on social security will be devastating to small business.
2. Environment. Unimportant right now.
3. Wars: I think once you're in one, you're better off winning it. Obama would be happy to lose. (I have a daughter in the army.)
4. Foodstuff and Fuel Cost is a direct response to the government subsidizing corn production into ethanol which McCain opposed and Obama supported. Obama is beholden to the environuts and is fine with high gas prices.
5. Education: You will not bring down the high cost of education by throwing more money at the teachers unions or by subsidizing school loans, you will only eliminate any incentives to cut costs by the producers of education.
6. Health: McCain has a much better plan to delink insurance from employers and allow people to retain it from job to job. Further, he would allow you to buy policies from out of state providers and introduce competition across state lines.
Obama and Biden are fighting against the policies of McCain-Palin, while M-P are fighting against the personalites (personas) of O-B. In that sense, this election is about consciousness. The question remains whether America's electoral system is capable of responding to a clash of consciousness -- or not. It is not enough to hope that the right person will emerge as if by magi. We must all bear our share of the burden to help in tangible and practical ways to bring about the new era in American consciousness that is now entering the realm of possibility. We must register to vote and urge all of our friends and family to register and vote. We can analyze this election till doomsday, and there are those who will happily do that. But, we are facing a government of, by and for the shadows of our selves -- and for pointing that out, we should be very grateful to Deepak Chopra. The danger is palpable, and we must respond with clarity, confidence and compassion for others.
Thank you very much Deepak for this post. So many of my friends and family (and a lot of bloggers) have been spiralling into a descent of despair during these past two weeks. I believe her appeal is transitory and that independent voters are now starting to reassess her candidacy. I will email this link to them to help them gain the perspective you graciously offer.
This speaks to a lot of the stuff I've been experiencing, stuff that's been very confusing -- like the extreme volatility of political discussions this time around. Clearly something other than "Just the facts" is in play. Also, I am shocked when I hear people who I consider to be extraordinarily intelligent people who say the stupidest things regarding this election. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in the Twilight Zone! But your essay helps to contextualize that stuff.
I am really glad this is put into the open.
Let all the Obama flowers bloom this November
and plant the seeds of change in the desert that the Republicans have brought to this great country!
Go Obama/Biden, the Force is with you always!
We, the people, walks this life again in all its glory.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Yes, I have felt that fear creep up and the childish helplessness description is apt. I remind myself to hold the vision. Keep seeing BO taking the oath of office in Jan '09, send money, volunteer and we will prevail. It is time for this old patriarchy to dissolve and the horror it has created for this country and the wolrd. Keep the eyes on the prize and hope in your heart.
PART 1
I am one of a growing group of people across the nation preparing to hold
national rallies for Obama on Saturday, Oct. 4th at 1pm EST and adjusted accordingly
across the time zones. We'd like the rallies to continue from that point on to every Saturday until
the election. A focus on issues affecting women and families. Home made signs that reflect the
individual's concerns.
We need someone who can create a web page that would note dates and times and where
people can meet in each town or city. The page would also allow us to coordinate with people
across the country regarding permits and press releases.
If you are interested in getting involved please reply to: birthsearcher.comer.com
IF i had the energy and expertise i would volunteer. THANKS for offering this. THE right person will volunteer. ENOUGH! let's get this done...
PART 2
It's time for the middle class to stand up and be heard. National rallies will garner
national press coverage. Here's a link for a rally against Palin in Anchorage that came together within a few short days by simply sending press releases to their local media:
http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/alaska-women-reject-palin-rally-is-huge/
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