Blame drifts on the wind,
seeking faces, hands, and names—
never our own breath.We kneel, we reach out,
to gods, to laws, to healers,
forgetting our hands.Mind’s path bends inward,
each step shifting what we see,
power starts within.Still, the world remains,
woven threads of self and all—
balance holds the key.
Blame is an easy lens through which we view the world—a deeply ingrained habit reinforced by our social, political, and spiritual structures. Whether we attribute suffering to the rich or the poor, the selfish or the selfless, the “them” versus “us,” we externalize responsibility, seeking a cause outside ourselves. Even within spiritual communities, blame takes shape in the form of unseen forces—demons, evil spirits, or naïve idealism. Religious institutions wield guilt as a tool for control, while their critics blame the institutions themselves. This cycle of division serves those in power, perpetuating a world where we are encouraged to see ourselves as victims rather than as agents of change. Yet, beyond this binary of blame and victimhood lies a deeper truth: while we must take responsibility for our own thoughts and actions, we are also shaped by the collective forces around us.
There’s another aspect here that needs to be included—not only do we place blame on others, but we also project success, healing, and even salvation onto external forces. Whether it’s praying to a god, relying on healthcare and social structures, or looking to leaders for guidance, we often surrender our power to something outside of ourselves. This reliance is not inherently negative; communal support and belief systems can be essential for well-being. However, the challenge arises when we forget our own role in the process, assuming that external forces alone dictate our outcomes rather than seeing them as part of a dynamic interplay between self and society.
Recently, the concept of “re-wiring” the brain has gained traction, proposing that we shift our awareness inward to cultivate presence, agency, and a kind of superhuman potential. Yet, this requires an immense leap of faith—to reject the idea that something outside us dictates our reality. It is difficult to walk this path when the world reinforces the opposite belief. Even those who succeed in this practice are not immune to blame, as their teachings challenge deeply rooted narratives.
Perhaps the real shift begins when we stop searching for answers in others and take responsibility for our own existence. But taking responsibility does not mean dismissing the reality of collective structures. Systems shape our lives, and true transformation comes not just from personal growth but from conscious participation in reshaping the world around us. So, is there a middle way—one that honors both individual agency and collective accountability? If so, perhaps it is found in recognizing that while we cannot change everything, we can decide how we engage, where we place our energy, and how we contribute to the greater whole.
This is my journey,
— Nate Long “Owl”