Your wise post is full of beautiful paradox. So many ideas to consider and chew on. I love the quote that you are “only interested in the really intimate.” I’ve been thinking something very similar- I am only interested in the sincere. Which this post ABSOLUTELY was! Thank you so much for being so vulnerable with your readers. May we all be so bold and brave as you!
thank you Sebene, for expanding shamelessness so eloquently & intimately. More courage more pride more intimacy, less push more flow! Last night I saw Kae Tempest do a 120min set with no music, soeaking their poetry like water quenching our thirst in a hot Barcelona. It was an experience of real intimacy.
After reading this - I heard this song in my mind: The Gap Band singing "outstanding - girl you knock me out . . . you make me want to shout . . . you blow my mind". Yes - this piece has given me much to think about and appreciate. Deep bows🌚.
Labeling sexuality can be so complicated, but it’s a lot easier to figure it out for yourself when other people aren’t trying to force one on to you. I wish we could view labels as helpful tools sometimes while acknowledging that they aren’t fixed. We should give people more space to explore and try on labels to figure out what fits for them.
Thanks for sharing Starbie. Yes, for me this goes for many things - not just sexuality. And I think I am actually moving more towards shedding labels/identities rather than adding more. LOL
Thank you for such a raw and thoughtful reflection on shame, pride, and the journey towards intimacy. I love how you explore the paradox of belonging, showing that pride is about connection and wholeness, while shame isolates us. Your insights around spiritual bypassing and the importance of realness and intimacy resonate deeply. It's a reminder that embracing our vulnerabilities allows us to live more authentically, even in a world that often encourages separation. Here's to living without shame and embracing the beauty of difference.
Ok, catching up to all you offer. Yes, and honoring the true meaning of Pride. 🙏. I love your exploration of shame, Pride, and self-identifying and the all that humans impose on one another, on how we move in the world, the labels we claim, the ones imposed on us, all the intersections we discover if we can uncover the layers. And for your friend who said, “You may not be queer, but you’re definitely not straight.” Fabulous!!! That'd be a good t-shirt too!! 💖
I love all you write here Mal. Esp this: "all that humans impose on one another, on how we move in the world, the labels we claim, the ones imposed on us, all the intersections we discover if we can uncover the layers" THANK YOU!!
Hi Sebene!! fellow habesha weirdo here! My sister and I loved your book and I'm due for a re-read. Thank you for this post and for your insights! I really appreciated Brene for breaking down the difference between guilt and shame. It's been such a helpful distinction. Happy pride!
Thank you Jessi. I just listened to your episode in ritual. So many powerful insights! Thank you! 🙏🏾 I’m going to use it as a resource in my rituals course. 💛✨💛
Sebene -- I always love your writing and your thinking/sense-making, but this essay is another level of magic. Just cracks so much open. And happy for your accidental poly-ness, too. xo
Also, thank you for talking about the subject of dating. Presently I am finding that dating gives me a near-constant opportunity to sacredly pause and then NOT pick up others' conscious or unconscious shame scripts. It's a self-loving practice. Hard at times.
Thank you for always bringing so much thoughtfulness to complex topics. I am so drawn to your work and writing and appreciate you! Thanks!
I just read this quote from Francis Weller from a recent training I did with him. “ the opposite of emptiness is embodiment, embeddedness, participation, connection and intimacy.” This feels resonant and connected especially to the idea of enlightenment as intimacy with all things.
Very powerful, so much to reflect on, thank you! I am struck deeply by: “ the dynamic between self concepts of a person as the nexus of social relations versus as an autonomous individual “ Plus always keeping present: “ Not either/or but both/and.” ❤️🙏🏻
Your wise post is full of beautiful paradox. So many ideas to consider and chew on. I love the quote that you are “only interested in the really intimate.” I’ve been thinking something very similar- I am only interested in the sincere. Which this post ABSOLUTELY was! Thank you so much for being so vulnerable with your readers. May we all be so bold and brave as you!
Awww. Thanks April. sincere is a beautiful compliment. 💓💛💓.
"Enlightenment is intimacy with all things." Wow. Thank you for sharing that with us.
✨💛✨
Thank you for this amazing essay, it so truly and thoroughly spoke to my heart.
Thanks for reading Katrin. 💛
thank you Sebene, for expanding shamelessness so eloquently & intimately. More courage more pride more intimacy, less push more flow! Last night I saw Kae Tempest do a 120min set with no music, soeaking their poetry like water quenching our thirst in a hot Barcelona. It was an experience of real intimacy.
Thank you Kirsti. And what an amazing opportunity to see that show. Flow flow flow! 💓💓💓
After reading this - I heard this song in my mind: The Gap Band singing "outstanding - girl you knock me out . . . you make me want to shout . . . you blow my mind". Yes - this piece has given me much to think about and appreciate. Deep bows🌚.
I love that song!! Thank you Althea! That’s sweet. 💓🥰💓
Labeling sexuality can be so complicated, but it’s a lot easier to figure it out for yourself when other people aren’t trying to force one on to you. I wish we could view labels as helpful tools sometimes while acknowledging that they aren’t fixed. We should give people more space to explore and try on labels to figure out what fits for them.
Thanks for sharing Starbie. Yes, for me this goes for many things - not just sexuality. And I think I am actually moving more towards shedding labels/identities rather than adding more. LOL
Thank you for such a raw and thoughtful reflection on shame, pride, and the journey towards intimacy. I love how you explore the paradox of belonging, showing that pride is about connection and wholeness, while shame isolates us. Your insights around spiritual bypassing and the importance of realness and intimacy resonate deeply. It's a reminder that embracing our vulnerabilities allows us to live more authentically, even in a world that often encourages separation. Here's to living without shame and embracing the beauty of difference.
Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection. And for reading! Blessings to you.
Ok, catching up to all you offer. Yes, and honoring the true meaning of Pride. 🙏. I love your exploration of shame, Pride, and self-identifying and the all that humans impose on one another, on how we move in the world, the labels we claim, the ones imposed on us, all the intersections we discover if we can uncover the layers. And for your friend who said, “You may not be queer, but you’re definitely not straight.” Fabulous!!! That'd be a good t-shirt too!! 💖
I love all you write here Mal. Esp this: "all that humans impose on one another, on how we move in the world, the labels we claim, the ones imposed on us, all the intersections we discover if we can uncover the layers" THANK YOU!!
🫶🏻
Hi Sebene!! fellow habesha weirdo here! My sister and I loved your book and I'm due for a re-read. Thank you for this post and for your insights! I really appreciated Brene for breaking down the difference between guilt and shame. It's been such a helpful distinction. Happy pride!
Selam Bethel! And thank you to you and your sister for support. Much love to you both! 💓✨💓
This is an essay I will read many times. This line stays with me: "The opposite of bypassing is intimacy."
Thank you Jessi. I just listened to your episode in ritual. So many powerful insights! Thank you! 🙏🏾 I’m going to use it as a resource in my rituals course. 💛✨💛
Yesss to realness as intimacy. Exactly this.
💓✨💓
Sebene -- I always love your writing and your thinking/sense-making, but this essay is another level of magic. Just cracks so much open. And happy for your accidental poly-ness, too. xo
Awwww. Thank you friend. That means a lot. 💛🥰💛
Also, thank you for talking about the subject of dating. Presently I am finding that dating gives me a near-constant opportunity to sacredly pause and then NOT pick up others' conscious or unconscious shame scripts. It's a self-loving practice. Hard at times.
Very well put Andrew!! 💓🙏🏾💓
Thank you for always bringing so much thoughtfulness to complex topics. I am so drawn to your work and writing and appreciate you! Thanks!
I just read this quote from Francis Weller from a recent training I did with him. “ the opposite of emptiness is embodiment, embeddedness, participation, connection and intimacy.” This feels resonant and connected especially to the idea of enlightenment as intimacy with all things.
Thank you for the kind words Shandra. 💓And I love that quote/idea. Yes, very resonant! Thanks for being here! 💛
A deeply resonant post, Sebene. I’m going to be sitting with this one for a while. Thank you. 🩵
Thank you Jax. 💓
Very powerful, so much to reflect on, thank you! I am struck deeply by: “ the dynamic between self concepts of a person as the nexus of social relations versus as an autonomous individual “ Plus always keeping present: “ Not either/or but both/and.” ❤️🙏🏻
Thank you Valerie. 💓💓💓