Philosophy and Gender Statistics

[Bring4th_Austin]

And I would ask the men who feel as though the culture of this forum is not the reason for lesser female participation to please, earnestly and with compassion, try to put yourself in the shoes of a woman who reads some of the words that have been shared lately. When I do so, it doesn't exactly surprise me that there are fewer women here.

This would depend entirely upon why someone is here at all. Personally, I don't seek validation or even community, usually, though it can be nice to discover that in a thread here. I like the subjects canvassed, the level of depth in the Ra Material, and the opportunity to explore my self and potential by stretching beyond my own boundaries. I don't need, nor is it efficacious to always have, agreement.

There are different ways to take "words that have been shared lately" regarding feminism and the plight of women. One can resist reacting and act with purpose; leave in a huff; decide this forum is not the place to discuss this sensitive subject (and yet, where—with women only who all agree?); try and engage open-mindedly and learn about self by allowing the surfacing of triggered wounds; have compassion for self, other women, and men; and so on ad infinitum. None of it is "wrong," and all is a choice.

I feel a major problem with much of humanity is expectations. 

Many people who find the Law of One and wish to participate in a community really are seeking validation and community. There are also plenty of other motivations for participating on such a forum, but a home for wanderers is a primary goal of the forums. Seekers who resonate with the Law of One tend to be sensitive, alienated, lonely, and have a longing for connection with others.

It's true the Law of One can allow us to "rise above" issues and view them from an ultimate level of peace and unity despite any apparent distortions. In a perfect community, anyone could say whatever they wanted and it would be acknowledged as appropriate for that person in their time, coming from their unique perspective, and need not have any emotional affect on the reader. In imperfect third density, this just isn't realistic.

If there is a particular pattern that plays out in which a particular type of person - one who likes the Law of One, L/L Research, or just alternative spirituality; a person who wants to find a community of like-minded seekers; a person who is sensitive to the disharmony of the world; a person who happens to be a woman - finds this community and does not feel it offers those things, and even speaks against them, then I think it warrants some investigation as to why that pattern exists, otherwise it may just perpetuate itself until the only people left are ones who are uniquely able to detach from the emotional atmosphere of seemingly disharmonious social interaction. This level of detachment should not be a barrier for participation.

The ultimate responsibility is always on the individual in determining how they will react to any given catalyst. This is, indeed, the ultimate freedom, and perhaps the most beneficial thing I have gained from the Law of One. But I don't think that individual responsibility absolves a community from any responsibility in what distortions their culture may perpetuate.

I have to admit I am quite impressed by the rational side of women interested in the LOO. It's really not something I have crossed elsewhere in my life....maybe ever. - Speaking of culture. I know that this statement may be made as a compliment, but if I put myself in the shoes of a woman, I would take it as quite demeaning to women in general. I am not commenting on the intent of the statement, only on how it can be perceived. To me, it paints a thread like this in a negative light, influences how the rest of the discussion comes off. It seems as though you are saying that women in general are irrational, but the women attracted to the Law of One are special and they like the material despite the fact that they're women. I suspect women do not want to be a part of a culture where they are simply assumed to be irrational because of their gender.

Well some people can even turn a sentence such as ''I love you'' into a negative intent so I can just hope that you have read that as a compliment. I mean I just basically said earlier that the question itself brings distortions into the discussion because labelling people by their gender only goes so far. This was basically only a remark that I feel like the women on bring4th have deepen their rationality to a level I have not seen elsewhere. It was a focus on their specialty indeed, not their gender. Of course I am as well impressed by the rationality of men on this forum as well, and bring4th in general, it's just that the topic was fitting for this choice of words. It's just a content that requires a very rational approach in order to integrate fully. I know as well there are lots of rational women outside of bring4th I just think if I compare most active female of bring4th I would say they achieve a degree of rationality that I don't see in many of what we could call a stereotype of rational women like political women or something like that (again that's a generalization). It's actually really hard to talk about a subject that is filled with generalization without generalizing in return. I hope most of you can read that without any offense as there are no offense intended. Words have strong barriers sometimes.

I appreciate you explaining what you intended with your statement. I understand that any sentence may be interpreted in any way, but there are limits to interpretation. I was pointing out your statement because I do think that it can easily be interpreted as demeaning towards women, and how such a statement, despite intent, can contribute to a culture where such a community as this one may seem unwelcoming.

I think we all hope that we will be given the benefit of the doubt in our words when posting, but it always helps to give extra consideration to topics that have proven to be sensitive and seek to be as welcoming as possible.