pj temple
@pjtemple.bsky.social
The Chai Alchemist | Psychologist writing on cultural trauma
Pinned
pj temple
@pjtemple.bsky.social
· Apr 7
We live in a deeply ignorant and segregated country. Accurate history hasn’t been taught. Which means we have a lot of learning to catch up to. In the meantime, not dehumanizing people for being different is a good start.
This is inciting yet another wave of collective trauma added to every other ongoing act of systemic evil.
But our survival is calling us to cleave to each other for protection.
It’s not about one of us. It’s about all of us.
Division must be overcome.
But our survival is calling us to cleave to each other for protection.
It’s not about one of us. It’s about all of us.
Division must be overcome.
October 6, 2025 at 8:20 PM
This is inciting yet another wave of collective trauma added to every other ongoing act of systemic evil.
But our survival is calling us to cleave to each other for protection.
It’s not about one of us. It’s about all of us.
Division must be overcome.
But our survival is calling us to cleave to each other for protection.
It’s not about one of us. It’s about all of us.
Division must be overcome.
Boundaries are respect. They are care. They are the fullest depths, the co-existence of love.
#boundariesandprotection #boundariesarelove #generationaltraumahealing
#boundariesandprotection #boundariesarelove #generationaltraumahealing
August 4, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Boundaries are respect. They are care. They are the fullest depths, the co-existence of love.
#boundariesandprotection #boundariesarelove #generationaltraumahealing
#boundariesandprotection #boundariesarelove #generationaltraumahealing
Tradition or trauma?
Who’s asked themselves this question a thousand times growing up?
Who’s asked themselves this question a thousand times growing up?
August 3, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Tradition or trauma?
Who’s asked themselves this question a thousand times growing up?
Who’s asked themselves this question a thousand times growing up?
I’ve never met anyone who regretted following their desires for their lives over the pressures of abiding by customs.
July 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I’ve never met anyone who regretted following their desires for their lives over the pressures of abiding by customs.
I was 4 when I went to India and met the boy I was to marry one day. He was 14. I can’t say I was disoriented by it. I didn’t have context. I just knew it was what I’d have to do. Funny how children process things. It took time to begin to connect with the confusion & wisdom to undue the compliance.
July 19, 2025 at 11:08 PM
I was 4 when I went to India and met the boy I was to marry one day. He was 14. I can’t say I was disoriented by it. I didn’t have context. I just knew it was what I’d have to do. Funny how children process things. It took time to begin to connect with the confusion & wisdom to undue the compliance.
We didn’t talk about sex. Nor did we talk about when it shouldn’t happen.
Or what protection looks like.
This is when tradition is harmful.
Or what protection looks like.
This is when tradition is harmful.
July 19, 2025 at 2:54 AM
We didn’t talk about sex. Nor did we talk about when it shouldn’t happen.
Or what protection looks like.
This is when tradition is harmful.
Or what protection looks like.
This is when tradition is harmful.
I’ve been thinking about doing an anthology around generational trauma for a long time now.
I’m done thinking. I’m going to start planning.
When you have an idea that doesn’t leave you, I believe it’s something that’s demanding to be explored.
I’m done thinking. I’m going to start planning.
When you have an idea that doesn’t leave you, I believe it’s something that’s demanding to be explored.
July 18, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I’ve been thinking about doing an anthology around generational trauma for a long time now.
I’m done thinking. I’m going to start planning.
When you have an idea that doesn’t leave you, I believe it’s something that’s demanding to be explored.
I’m done thinking. I’m going to start planning.
When you have an idea that doesn’t leave you, I believe it’s something that’s demanding to be explored.
The trauma you endured is not your fault.
The trauma you endured is not your fault.
The trauma you endured is not your fault.
The trauma you endured is not your fault.
The trauma you endured is not your fault.
July 18, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The trauma you endured is not your fault.
The trauma you endured is not your fault.
The trauma you endured is not your fault.
The trauma you endured is not your fault.
The trauma you endured is not your fault.
Culture teaches us to conform while spiritual principles teach us that we’re uniquely made. Reconciling the two can take a lifetime.
July 17, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Culture teaches us to conform while spiritual principles teach us that we’re uniquely made. Reconciling the two can take a lifetime.
What is trauma but a curse we all carry waiting to be broken.
July 16, 2025 at 7:03 PM
What is trauma but a curse we all carry waiting to be broken.
It’s not that I’m giving them a pass.
I’m just past it.
Call it forgiveness or a way to protect your peace, it’s fair if you feel this way.
I’m just past it.
Call it forgiveness or a way to protect your peace, it’s fair if you feel this way.
July 15, 2025 at 10:46 PM
It’s not that I’m giving them a pass.
I’m just past it.
Call it forgiveness or a way to protect your peace, it’s fair if you feel this way.
I’m just past it.
Call it forgiveness or a way to protect your peace, it’s fair if you feel this way.
Some parents tell their children how disappointed they are in them throughout their childhood.
Children get to express their disappointment too. Doesn’t have to be disrespectfully. But you get to say how you feel.
And maybe you weren’t even a disappointment. Maybe they were projecting.
Children get to express their disappointment too. Doesn’t have to be disrespectfully. But you get to say how you feel.
And maybe you weren’t even a disappointment. Maybe they were projecting.
July 15, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Some parents tell their children how disappointed they are in them throughout their childhood.
Children get to express their disappointment too. Doesn’t have to be disrespectfully. But you get to say how you feel.
And maybe you weren’t even a disappointment. Maybe they were projecting.
Children get to express their disappointment too. Doesn’t have to be disrespectfully. But you get to say how you feel.
And maybe you weren’t even a disappointment. Maybe they were projecting.
There’s the ever present torment in children of immigrant parents.
Obedience versus identity. Do I disappoint my parents or turn on myself? Someone has to win.
Obedience versus identity. Do I disappoint my parents or turn on myself? Someone has to win.
July 13, 2025 at 11:04 PM
There’s the ever present torment in children of immigrant parents.
Obedience versus identity. Do I disappoint my parents or turn on myself? Someone has to win.
Obedience versus identity. Do I disappoint my parents or turn on myself? Someone has to win.
It’s not surprising that OCD and generational trauma can overlap, especially in the context of immigration.
July 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
It’s not surprising that OCD and generational trauma can overlap, especially in the context of immigration.
To be able to watch Mississippi Masala with my boyfriend in the 90’s was something special. Man did we feel seen in that rare moment. Someone out there knew what we were facing at a time when he was a secret from my family and I knew how Black Americans were seen by the Indian community.
#miranair
#miranair
June 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
To be able to watch Mississippi Masala with my boyfriend in the 90’s was something special. Man did we feel seen in that rare moment. Someone out there knew what we were facing at a time when he was a secret from my family and I knew how Black Americans were seen by the Indian community.
#miranair
#miranair
Reposted by pj temple
“Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.” - Horace Mann
#BookSky #WritingCommunity
#BookSky #WritingCommunity
June 25, 2025 at 12:35 AM
“Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.” - Horace Mann
#BookSky #WritingCommunity
#BookSky #WritingCommunity
Some days when everything feels like far too much, the best thing we can do is to stay grounded. Today might be one of those days.
June 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Some days when everything feels like far too much, the best thing we can do is to stay grounded. Today might be one of those days.
Seeing comments on the vile racist things being spoken over the souls of the Air India crash is another layer of heartbreaking. I pray their loved ones are protected from seeing the hatred as they grieve.
June 12, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Seeing comments on the vile racist things being spoken over the souls of the Air India crash is another layer of heartbreaking. I pray their loved ones are protected from seeing the hatred as they grieve.
When was it that the dissonance began to rattle in your chest,
between who you were told to be
and who you were?
Which version won?
between who you were told to be
and who you were?
Which version won?
June 11, 2025 at 10:18 PM
When was it that the dissonance began to rattle in your chest,
between who you were told to be
and who you were?
Which version won?
between who you were told to be
and who you were?
Which version won?
Immigrants bring stories and carry them in language, food, nuanced ways of expressing love, holding heartbreak and sometimes passing the pain through generations. Read immigrant stories. They are necessary now and always.
www.pjtemple.com
June 10, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Immigrants bring stories and carry them in language, food, nuanced ways of expressing love, holding heartbreak and sometimes passing the pain through generations. Read immigrant stories. They are necessary now and always.
www.pjtemple.com
When I’d think of expressing myself, a quiet voice would whisper, “But you’re being selfish.”
Expression would take up too much. It wasn’t said. It was in the way adults talked over me, how others’ needs seemed urgent, in how females were spoken about. It was in the way life was lived out each day.
Expression would take up too much. It wasn’t said. It was in the way adults talked over me, how others’ needs seemed urgent, in how females were spoken about. It was in the way life was lived out each day.
June 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
When I’d think of expressing myself, a quiet voice would whisper, “But you’re being selfish.”
Expression would take up too much. It wasn’t said. It was in the way adults talked over me, how others’ needs seemed urgent, in how females were spoken about. It was in the way life was lived out each day.
Expression would take up too much. It wasn’t said. It was in the way adults talked over me, how others’ needs seemed urgent, in how females were spoken about. It was in the way life was lived out each day.
the sun lingered a bit longer today
to see what type of tea
the earth’s beings concocted
a ray of civility?
a touch of reality?
a newly enlightened society?
what she saw made her weep and she had to rest
just for the night
all now midnight blue
for cruelty
does not end
with two warring humans
to see what type of tea
the earth’s beings concocted
a ray of civility?
a touch of reality?
a newly enlightened society?
what she saw made her weep and she had to rest
just for the night
all now midnight blue
for cruelty
does not end
with two warring humans
June 6, 2025 at 3:23 AM
the sun lingered a bit longer today
to see what type of tea
the earth’s beings concocted
a ray of civility?
a touch of reality?
a newly enlightened society?
what she saw made her weep and she had to rest
just for the night
all now midnight blue
for cruelty
does not end
with two warring humans
to see what type of tea
the earth’s beings concocted
a ray of civility?
a touch of reality?
a newly enlightened society?
what she saw made her weep and she had to rest
just for the night
all now midnight blue
for cruelty
does not end
with two warring humans
Reposted by pj temple
I’m not here to keep you comfortable.
I’m here to drag you into the deep end—
past the line breaks, where your voice cracks.
Let’s write what we never meant to say.
#WRITEITRAW starts now.
🖤 Bring a line you’d never read out loud.
I’ll be waiting.
I’m here to drag you into the deep end—
past the line breaks, where your voice cracks.
Let’s write what we never meant to say.
#WRITEITRAW starts now.
🖤 Bring a line you’d never read out loud.
I’ll be waiting.
Most poets edit the truth out.
This isn’t about polish.
This is about what you wouldn’t say in front of them.
✏️ write a line you’d never read out loud.
🖤 kill your inhibitions.
🧷 tag it #WRITEITRAW
🔥 let’s see what you’re really made of.
This isn’t about polish.
This is about what you wouldn’t say in front of them.
✏️ write a line you’d never read out loud.
🖤 kill your inhibitions.
🧷 tag it #WRITEITRAW
🔥 let’s see what you’re really made of.
June 1, 2025 at 12:30 AM
I’m not here to keep you comfortable.
I’m here to drag you into the deep end—
past the line breaks, where your voice cracks.
Let’s write what we never meant to say.
#WRITEITRAW starts now.
🖤 Bring a line you’d never read out loud.
I’ll be waiting.
I’m here to drag you into the deep end—
past the line breaks, where your voice cracks.
Let’s write what we never meant to say.
#WRITEITRAW starts now.
🖤 Bring a line you’d never read out loud.
I’ll be waiting.
Reposted by pj temple
This isn’t a Broken Spine project.
It’s bigger than us.
This is about you, the poets burning up the margins, the community that keeps the culture alive.
We’re building it. For you. With you.
Let’s sell some damn books and get your words in front of the world.
#PromoteIndieLit #PIL
It’s bigger than us.
This is about you, the poets burning up the margins, the community that keeps the culture alive.
We’re building it. For you. With you.
Let’s sell some damn books and get your words in front of the world.
#PromoteIndieLit #PIL
🚨 Poets, brace yourselves.
👀 Nearly 20 indie lit platforms are locked in: reviews, features, interviews, podcasts — all ready to amplify your voice.
💥 No fees. No gatekeepers. Just real visibility.
This is my brainchild. It’s almost here.
#PromoteIndieLit #PIL #PoetryCommunity #PoetsOfBluesky
👀 Nearly 20 indie lit platforms are locked in: reviews, features, interviews, podcasts — all ready to amplify your voice.
💥 No fees. No gatekeepers. Just real visibility.
This is my brainchild. It’s almost here.
#PromoteIndieLit #PIL #PoetryCommunity #PoetsOfBluesky
May 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
This isn’t a Broken Spine project.
It’s bigger than us.
This is about you, the poets burning up the margins, the community that keeps the culture alive.
We’re building it. For you. With you.
Let’s sell some damn books and get your words in front of the world.
#PromoteIndieLit #PIL
It’s bigger than us.
This is about you, the poets burning up the margins, the community that keeps the culture alive.
We’re building it. For you. With you.
Let’s sell some damn books and get your words in front of the world.
#PromoteIndieLit #PIL
We’re in a church divided by people of two ethnicities on each side, Indians seething that I was marrying someone Black. Church is an ironic place to be when people are divided. I held my head higher and kept walking.
The opening of my memoir. I wrote it bc love overcomes hate every single time.
The opening of my memoir. I wrote it bc love overcomes hate every single time.
May 23, 2025 at 10:27 PM
We’re in a church divided by people of two ethnicities on each side, Indians seething that I was marrying someone Black. Church is an ironic place to be when people are divided. I held my head higher and kept walking.
The opening of my memoir. I wrote it bc love overcomes hate every single time.
The opening of my memoir. I wrote it bc love overcomes hate every single time.