Restoring the heart of Te Fiti
Can you recall a time when you felt attacked? Maybe it was a physical attack if you were so unfortunate but I'm primarily thinking of an attack of a more emotional variety. Recall the visceral response of defense that was triggered in your body. Your desire to find safety through either running away and hiding or striking back with equal or greater force than what was originally thrust upon you. Were you able then to identify the limits of your humanity as you sought or at least fantasized about retribution? Are you able to recall those extremes today?
When we are hurt, backed up against a wall, scared; we have a defense strategy that typically lies dormant underneath layers of personality and humanity that, when surfaced, is capable of remarkably terrible behaviour. Our fear can incite and invoke our fiercest monsters. The monsters of some lie closer to the surface that those of others but rest assured we all have them and they when they arise they are looking for conflict because it is in a fight that a monster proves its value, its raison d'etre.
An aside for a moment. How good is Moana! Disney really knocked it out of the park again with this one. The visuals are enchanting, the music is catchy, the characters are charming,the story is rich with meaning, morals, and endearing humanity. I see it multiple times a week and I haven't regretted watching it yet.
I'm going to need to spoil the ending a bit for those who haven't yet had the pleasure of watching it. The final monster that Moana and Maui have to face in order to restore life and abundance to her people is the insurmountable lava monster Te Ka, who has already previously defeated Maui, our traditional hero. Maui, seeing no other option and despite realizing the limits of his physical ability to stop Te Ka, decides to make one last, self-sacrificing attempt to defeat her with his might.
Then Moana makes a discovery. She learns Te Ka's history. Her origin. The traumatic past events that have led her to defend the island of Te Fiti with fear and violence. Moana, while singing like an angel mind you, bravely and calmly walks towards Te Ka, inviting her to come closer, seemingly sealing her (Moana's) fate. Moana knows however, that in her hand she holds the heart of Te Fiti and by offering it to Te Ka she is betting that she will bring peace to this thousand year conflict. Moana knows that Te Ka is in fact, the goddess Te Fiti, who, having been stripped of her heart, has now lost her benevolence. She is vindictive. Destructive.
Until Moana sees her for who she really is. She calls to her goodness that is still somewhere within her. Moana shows Te Ka her heart that has been missing for a millenium and offers to restore it. Te
Ka's fire is cooled as she accepts the offering. Her heart is restored as is the peace and abundance that was lost in her absence.
Crisis averted.
Imagine if we were able to respond to our enemies with the empathy and insight that Moana exemplifies.
Imagine we could respond to those who promote hate and violence by acknowledging their hurt, recognizing their loss, and seeing their humanity.
Maybe we could say to them something like what Moana says this terrible lava monster...
I have crossed the horizon to find you
I know your name
They have stolen the heart from inside you
But this does not define you
This is not who you are
You know who you are
Who you truly are
When we are hurt, backed up against a wall, scared; we have a defense strategy that typically lies dormant underneath layers of personality and humanity that, when surfaced, is capable of remarkably terrible behaviour. Our fear can incite and invoke our fiercest monsters. The monsters of some lie closer to the surface that those of others but rest assured we all have them and they when they arise they are looking for conflict because it is in a fight that a monster proves its value, its raison d'etre.
An aside for a moment. How good is Moana! Disney really knocked it out of the park again with this one. The visuals are enchanting, the music is catchy, the characters are charming,the story is rich with meaning, morals, and endearing humanity. I see it multiple times a week and I haven't regretted watching it yet.
I'm going to need to spoil the ending a bit for those who haven't yet had the pleasure of watching it. The final monster that Moana and Maui have to face in order to restore life and abundance to her people is the insurmountable lava monster Te Ka, who has already previously defeated Maui, our traditional hero. Maui, seeing no other option and despite realizing the limits of his physical ability to stop Te Ka, decides to make one last, self-sacrificing attempt to defeat her with his might.
Then Moana makes a discovery. She learns Te Ka's history. Her origin. The traumatic past events that have led her to defend the island of Te Fiti with fear and violence. Moana, while singing like an angel mind you, bravely and calmly walks towards Te Ka, inviting her to come closer, seemingly sealing her (Moana's) fate. Moana knows however, that in her hand she holds the heart of Te Fiti and by offering it to Te Ka she is betting that she will bring peace to this thousand year conflict. Moana knows that Te Ka is in fact, the goddess Te Fiti, who, having been stripped of her heart, has now lost her benevolence. She is vindictive. Destructive.
Until Moana sees her for who she really is. She calls to her goodness that is still somewhere within her. Moana shows Te Ka her heart that has been missing for a millenium and offers to restore it. Te
Ka's fire is cooled as she accepts the offering. Her heart is restored as is the peace and abundance that was lost in her absence.
Crisis averted.
Imagine if we were able to respond to our enemies with the empathy and insight that Moana exemplifies.
Imagine we could respond to those who promote hate and violence by acknowledging their hurt, recognizing their loss, and seeing their humanity.
Maybe we could say to them something like what Moana says this terrible lava monster...
I have crossed the horizon to find you
I know your name
They have stolen the heart from inside you
But this does not define you
This is not who you are
You know who you are
Who you truly are
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