Although I cannot say for certain, I do not think that plants and animals hold different versions of themselves, or different worlds within themselves, created intentionally or not. Their inner and outer worlds are the same. Not so with humans. This is one way that we are created in the image and likeness of God. Our job is to become the likeness, to become complete, to become whole. But becoming who we are by following the Inner Guides, developing into who and what we are to become, is one place where religion and society can fail us.
To know ourselves we must live into who we are. This requires discovering and knowing our shadows. Society often does not tolerate much difference within the closer circles. What the differences are determines how close we allow them to get to us. Our familial, religious, cultural, and political groups and leaders are our primary code makers. When what our soul needs for wholeness differs from what is acceptable to the various circles we inhabit, there is a dilemma.
The closest circle is the family, and this group is made of circles within circles and interconnected circles. We are born into a family as were our parents. We will possibly have a family of our own, as will our siblings. Some couples will separate and form other families. This basic social group can be quite complex, being homogeneous or integrating individuals of differing religious, social, economic, racial, or ethnic backgrounds. The family can mirror a local society or reflect a broader perspective. For good or ill, our family is where we get our earliest instructions on what is expected of us. Then follows the culture we are in, perhaps a religion, the education systems, and whatever other influences we are exposed to.
What do we do when who we are or are becoming is not acceptable to the social world in which we find ourselves? How far do we push the boundaries that define who a person is and what they can do? Does a person have to live in secret in order not to make their family uncomfortable? Do individuals in society have the right to punish, including eliminate, others who are crossing the boundaries of society? Understand that I am not talking about psychopaths or sociopaths, or harmful illegal activities such as manufacturing and distributing fentanyl, or terrorism.
Society, beginning with the family, has an obligation to protect the safety and well-being of those for whom it is responsible. But really, how dangerous are the differences that we fear? Do they actually threaten us? Or is it possible that what is threatened is our perception of the world, and maybe even of ourselves? Is protecting these perceptions, these ideas, worth destroying another human being?
What are the real threats? One threat is that by not knowing and integrating our shadows we tend to kill what we are not willing to see in ourselves by killing what we do not want to see in others.
The universe is magnificent, and the earth-organism, including us, is incredible. Yet the earth is such a minuscule speck that should it burn up, either by environmental decimation or nuclear war, it would not be noticed, except by the Creator, who is love and loves what it imagines.
Can we imagine loving that part of ourselves that we keep hidden in the dark pit of our soul? Can we imagine loving those who live contrary to the codes of the family and society? Can we imagine loving what the Creator imagines? What would our world be like if I stopped running with the herd and took the time to know and love myself—all of me? Could I then love my neighbor, especially if they are not like me? We each decide whether to live in half-darkness and fear or live in the Light and love as Christ loved.
Light's Ways With Daniel 