As Carl Jung said, there is self (small “s”) and Self (capital “S”).   It is our soul’s purpose to move from “s” to “S.”  The small “s” is seeing ourselves as human, limited, stuck in the ruts we create and that life brings to us through that very belief of ourselves.  The capital “S” is seeing the I AM of ourselves, the Divine within, the power of the spirit we are.  As Wayne Dyer states in his new book Wishes Fulfilled, there is an outer self-concept and an inner self-concept and how they can be changed to grow into the greatness we are.  But what if you are autistic?  What is the self-concept?  What is the self versus Self?  Temple Grandin knows, and this is the inspiration she gave to help me to move from “s” to “S.”

            I recently watched the “Temple Grandin” movie and was astonished at the learning I gained about my own self vs. Self.  There is a huge difference, and Temple showed me a way to move into Self from the smaller self.  Temple Grandin, for those who are not familiar with her, is an autistic woman born in Boston in1947, graduated from Franklin Pierce College in 1970 and got her master’s degree in animal science from Arizona State University in 1975.  She also got her doctoral degree in animal science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1989.  Quite a record for someone who did not speak until she was four.  She has also, and still does, conferences on autism and animal husbandry.

            This movie played a two-fold part for me.  I have always been interested in autism to the point of going to a conference on autism in 1993 or thereabouts, at Syracuse University.  I was fortunate enough to actually see Temple speak.  She blew me away.  This woman not only understands the various levels of autism, but also shows so much hope in what autism can bring to society and to help others understand this so called mental illness.  I never saw autism as a mental illness, but as a mystery that needed to be solved in the way autistic people think; that they are here to teach us something from a very unique perspective.  After hearing her then, I was convinced.  After watching the movie, I was even more convinced.

            For those interested in autism, or that know someone diagnosed as autistic, it would behoove you to watch anything by Temple, read her books, and also watch the DVD entitled “The Autistic Revolution: Children In the Time of Awakening,” by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which is a collection of talks by Abraham over a six week period in 2008.  Talk about a new way to see autism!  But it would also be worthwhile just to gain a bigger view of what they have come to teach us.

            What I took away from the movie about Temple Grandin was not only a deeper understanding of autism, but also a strong lesson for myself.  Temple had a difficult time socially, which I do not, but when it came from speaking her truth, from her heart and what she knew, she could be outrageous, fearless.  That is what I am not.  I have social skills, but to think about talking in front of people unnerves me.  Once I get started I’m fine, but the anticipation of it is fearsome.  Watching her, through all the ridicule she had to deal with, showed me that being outrageous and fearless is a lesson we all need to learn.

            Autistic people do not have the same kind of ego fears we do.  We are always concerned about being socially acceptable, especially within the groups we deem important to our lives.  Autistic people do not have this concern, which is one great lesson we can learn from them.  They feel hurt through ridicule at times, depending on the level of the autistic person, but will continue to try to befriend someone, bring forth a truth they hold, and continue to want to be heard regardless of being ridiculed.  But this blog is not so much about the various levels of autism as it is about seeing life from the perspective of autistic people that can help us to become more like them – without ego.

            It was so refreshing to see Temple speak her truth to those who thought they knew so much more about animal husbandry than she.  But they were wrong.  And because she spoke in a way that could convince them they were wrong, showing them her drawings, showing them her “proof” of what the cattle needed, they began to listen – and to learn.  She re-created the dip pools so cattle could enter them calmly and not drown.  She re-created the slaughterhouse, bringing cattle to the point of quickly dying without the built-up angst of walking through a place to that point before death that rendered them totally traumatized.  Her way brought them in their own natural way - circular and peacefully.

            Not only am I grateful for her understanding of animals in this way and her devout drive to create such slaughterhouses with more respect for the animal and their natural way of being, but also for her doing this with such passion, such fearlessness, such daring!  When she could not get into places she wanted because she looked different than the cattle people and drove a car that stood out, she went to town to buy cowboy clothes, an old pick up, and rolled in cattle dung.  She got in. 

            She was never stopped by thoughts of what others would think.  She followed her passion, no matter what, and has changed the face of animal husbandry, ranching and slaughterhouses throughout the country.  The drive, determination and just not caring about self, but caring about the greater good and coming from more of a Self, allowed her to create these changes.

            We are all capable of that if we can let go of the ego that constantly reminds us through fear of not fitting in, not being liked, not being acceptable… the list goes on.  Through Temple I was able to say to hell with the little ego issues and step into something more grand, more meaningful and with greater depth – like soul’s purpose.  She taught me that it is wonderful to be outrageous, to be on purpose without fear, to come from the heart of your beliefs, to be in the strength of your inner power when it is for the highest good.  Thank you, Temple.  The energy of Archangel Ariel has come with a few words.

            “I am called Ariel.  Most equate me with courage, and that is so.  Courage is the willingness to commit to a truth, whether or not it is everyone else’s.  Courage is the willingness to stand apart from the crowd to speak your own truth, no matter what.  Courage is the conviction that regardless of what others might think, you will live your truth.  All of this should always be for the highest good for your own soul, those of others, and for the betterment of the community of beings upon the earth and out into the Universe, for what you do here has an effect throughout.  And the community is made of all living things, as all is energy.  Never be afraid to be the different drummer, for your rhythm brings more harmony to the Universe, especially this earth planet.  And we need your rhythm more than ever to fill out the chorus of those raising the vibration of all.  Find your beat and play it out with conviction, determination, fearlessness, for it might be that it is your beat that carries the tune.”

Love and blessings,

Magdrael