The sense of separate personal identity is elusive. It is difficult to observe, find and bring to the surface of consciousness where, according to Buddhist beliefs, it dissipates naturally, like a bubble of foam popping. In the same way patriarchy is entrenched in so many different ways and on so many different levels in society that it is as difficult to reach out to it and weed it.
There is a Sutta in Theravadin Canon called “Khemaka Sutta” (About Khemaka). The main character in the Sutta, Buddhist monk Khemaka explains his understanding of the “lingering residual ‘I am’ conceit, an ‘I am’ desire, an ‘I am’ obsession.” Khemaka says that it is as difficult to capture and wash away as the remaining scents in clothes that have been washed over and over again.
In Western psychology, there is a notion of catharsis: allowing one self to experience previously repressed emotions. For instance, ancient Greek tragedies like Oedipus are seen as these psychological journeys for the audience. The spectators initially refuse to admit they have certain forbidden impulses. However, through empathising with the protagonist they unwittingly allow themselves to experience those. Healing happens as a result.
I often witness with surprise patriarchal actions performed by men who outwardly proclaim feminist values. Similarly, some women express feminist ideals and then in the same breath turn 180 degrees. For instance, men might say things like: “I’m all for feminism, but I want my wife to stay home and look after my children.” Women might say: “I aim for career growth. I hate my current job, thought – all my colleagues are female. And my female boss is a bitch.”
Like the “I am” scent, patriarchal values are entrenched into our being. Like the forbidden emotions, we hide patriarchal views. However, patriarchy will resurface unless a person notices her patriarchal inclinations. To do this, one needs firstly honesty, and also power of awareness and concentration.
The patriarchal side of our self hides, escaping from the attention of the conscious “I”, which tries its best to be feminist. Sometimes it helps, like in the case of cathartic dramas, to witness the patriarchal tendencies and actions in other people. This can lead to the sudden realisation that one is looking at the mirror.
Thus, in addition of honesty and awareness, certain bravery is also needed, especially for men. They need to admit that a patriarchal macho still lives beneath the surface of a modern feminist man.
One such man told me that he had an experience where he realised he had been patriarchal. A male friend of his shocked him by displaying angry behaviour and saying hurtful words. The reason behind this was the problems that this friend was experiencing and the tension he held. In a true patriarchal manner, the friend decided to upload this emotional garbage on a junior person.
In effect, this is what patriarchal men do the world over to the women. However, in this case the man who told me the story said he saw himself in this unsightly behaviour and he felt sorry for his own patriarchal attitudes.
Sadly, such instances of abuse directed at men, more often than not lead men to oppress women even more to regain their patriarchal status. Let’s hope that more and more men look into the mirror of patriarchal behaviour, recognise parts of their own selves and change their ways.
Oxana Poberejnaia is a frame drummer, writer and an artist at http://poeticoxana.wordpress.com. She was an Officer of the University of Manchester Buddhist Society while studying for a PhD in Government, and had been involved in organising the Manchester Buddhist Convention. Oxana is exploring the Sacred Feminine through frame drumming, working with her menstrual cycle, frame drumming and shamanic journeying, while keeping the practice of Buddhist meditation. Her frame drum band can be found here.
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Well said! Unfortunately of course there are also those who think patriarchal behavior is normal and just fine and are not even trying to weed it out. Our US President for one and most of his cabinet apparently and many of his supporters too. I know some of them.
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Just wondering Carol, We are all Nature, i.e., Essence. And what is Essence if not the Self-Brahmin in Hindu or in Hebrew, Yahweh, I AM. What is I AM if not OUR essence which ultimately is more than our egos, but wraps itself around this entire planet and universe which “shouts” “God” i.e., Nature, the Self. Mother and Father Self,, or Nature, are actually married as one.
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Would love to reply but not sure what the question is or how it relates to what I wrote.
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Thank you Oxana. Well said.
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Hi Oxana, this is an exceedingly well written article, thanks for sharing it. There are a number of interconnections you make with psychology and I found all of that very interesting too. I definitely agree where you say: “Let’s hope that more and more men look into the mirror of patriarchal behaviour, recognise parts of their own selves and change their ways.”
I notice in the credits you also mention your frame drumming — I long for an article by you on that topic too. There are books out there on the history of drums, including frame drumming, but I’d love to see an article here at FAR. I have a friend online who sent me a photo of herself as a young girl playing a frame drum, and I almost fainted with joy looking at that picture. Why is the frame drum so beautiful, so delightful — part of that mystery is maybe because it dates back so far, and in fact it is thought to be the first drum ever invented, and so there’s a long and fascinating journey it has made into the present.
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This excellent article addresses patriarchy in a direct way, uncovering the hidden female and male biases that pervade our culture. As a feminist I am always looking out for the patriarchal attitudes that are hidden in myself – and sometimes it is by examining my observations of patriarchal bias in others that I see them in myself. Sometimes this happens through dreaming…
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Thank you Oxana. I like the way you go beyond gender and recognize patriarchy as a way of thinking. Whenever people tell me that if women were in charge we would have a “kinder, gentler” society, I remind them of Margaret Thatcher. Matriarchy is as domineering and oppressive as patriarchy because both operate on a hierarchical basis of power over others. We need new ways of thinking that respect all life, including our Earth, other beings, and all of creation.
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