Natural Law #175 - May 2025

We are all self-governing

Let us call upon our ancestors, Elders and teachers - past and present,

To guide us in the way of the Heart

You are all my relations. All is One.

Namaste.

Autumn greetings in the southern hemisphere, Spring greetings in the northern hemisphere, and welcome all to the final edition of Natural Law, where the saying ‘just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should’ comes to mind. Creating space to reflect, reset and take stock, makes way for clarity and insight on next steps and new paths.

The universal values of dignity, freedom and equality for all, remain sound ideals in which to anchor our efforts to resist the systematic oppression of people and the environment. Similarly, love, honesty, fairness, tolerance, responsibility, justice and compassion, remain reliable guides toward the ideal of world peace, harmony and cooperation. 

In recent times, many of us have felt ‘world weary’. We have witnessed world leaders wage war and promote intolerance, and ongoing destruction of the environment. Personally, we have all grappled with major crisis, at times leading us to question ‘how safe are we in this world?’. 

In this perfect storm, it became easy to become disheartened, and to band together in ‘preferred groups’. The concern with this ‘segregation’ however, is the in-group/out-group phenomenon where individuals categorise themselves and others into identity groups, leading to preferential treatment of in-group members and negative perceptions or biases towards out-group members. For example, social identity theory suggests that individuals derive a sense of self from group affiliation and strive to make their group seem superior to out-groups, boosting their self-esteem and reinforcing group cohesion, which can lead to prejudice and discrimination. 

In his 2024 book The Identity Trap political scientist Yascha Mounk, a self-proclaimed leftist, describes how the in-group/out-group phenomenon has caused division within the ‘left camp’ leading to intragroup conflict, hostility and prejudice, where ‘out-group’ members are viewed more negatively, unfairly treated or targeted due to perceived differences, and ‘in-group’ members are viewed more positively and given preferential treatment. Of most concern, is Mounk’s claim that this division within the left camp, where many report being disillusioned and/or displaced, has become so dire they have jumped the political fence, enabling the right to flourish.

I am no political expert. I do have direct experience of being committed to a cause, and being subjected to the in-group/out-group phenomenon in a workplace. I wasn’t in the preferred group, and the experience has been devastating to say the least.

It must be acknowledged that we fall horribly and unacceptably short, of dignity, freedom and equality for all, particularly for marginalised and minority groups. The answer however, is not to divide into smaller identity groups, which psychology theory asserts promotes intolerance, discrimination and prejudice. Currently this is occurring not with those who are perpetrating oppressions, but on those who are walking alongside us in resistance!

Universal values and ethics are ideals that act as beacons of hope, lighthouses on the stormy waters, to guide our conduct at every level of life, and have historically been used to put pressure on systems and society to force social change. In troubled times, these are the values we must trust, as they move us toward empathy, peace, harmony and cooperation, which we need now, more than ever.

If you would like a balancing Reiki Treatment, I am in the Lismore studio weekly. I have Reiki Courses coming up, come and join me for a restorative weekend with this beautiful, ancient healing art. Contact me or visit the website for more information.

It has been my privilege to write Natural Law and I thank you sincerely for your interest and readership.

Big Love x

Be True,

Helene

Reiki Master Teacher

Laughter Yoga Leader

B.IndigSTrauma&Healing(Law&Justice)

M.Ed (Innovative Learning Design & Career Development & Counselling) - in progress

Weekly Services at Yemaya Centre Rooms:

Catherine Wilson: Clinical Psychology, https://hnc.org.au/directory/catherine-wilson/ 

Krsna Mayshack-Mendero: Women’s Counselling Services, https://connecttowellness.com.au/ 

Helene Collard: Reiki Treatments, Reiki Courses www.yemayacentre.com.au 

Miaka Barratt-Hassett: Intuitive Massage and KaHuna Lomi Lomi Massage, essentialselfhealing@gmail.com

Mirek Oprzedek: Shiatsu Practitioner, 0412 294917 or miz.oprzedek@gmail.com

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Available in the heart of Lismore for professional services. Beautiful, quiet, naturally lit spaces. contact me to discuss and arrange a room viewing. Flexible agreements available. Organisations and private practice welcome.

Come to us in the heart of the CBD, and visit our website for more information and bookings. Visit www.yemayacentre.com.au

COMING UP:

Reiki Treatments: weekly

Reiki First Degree: 17-18 May 2025

Reiki Second Degree: 21-22 June 2025 (Solstice)

Reiki Master Practitioner: 12-13 September, 2025