While the shadow is not who we really are, neither are many of the other things we think define us. What we lose on the journey is the identification with thoughts of who we are. In this way, we awaken to the divinity that connects us with all beings.
We are energy beings, energy slowed to a crawl. We are pure energy, and a tiny section of a great energy field, in fact of all energy. Our cells and atoms vibrate in tune with the universe and with every other thing, animate or inanimate. Animals vibrate; plants, rocks and trees vibrate, for they are all energy, and in no way separate from all that is around them and all that is. That is a powerful thing to contemplate, for it means there is no separation, either between us or everything around us. That means that even when we are standing apart from another person, we are part of them and they of us. We are joined intimately to each other, to the rest of the planet and in turn to all the stars and galaxies.
There is a greater life that is guiding you. The spiritual being that you are, is, in truth, connected to all that is. As you begin to experience your true being, or divine nature, you will find a connection to everything else that is. But, each of us must find our own path.
I couldn’t escape the conclusion that telling and retelling the story was making me feel worse – every time. I had to ask myself – what is the point of retelling the story?
The shadow holds the deep, unexplored and powerful energies of creation, destruction, and passion. Civil society doesn’t encourage, or in many situations, permit, expression of these deeper energies. However, when we develop intimacy with these aspects of our deeper self, we gain access to tremendous creativity.
My daughter and I were having a fun conversation exploring ways to approach some challenges. She threw out the question, “What would it look like if that challenge were easy?” I can’t stop thinking about that question.
Our unconscious mind takes us to a place of deeper meaning. Being afraid and confused will always be a way for us to find meaning in the world. But, we must be willing to deal with the deeper thoughts and feelings, and the pain that they carry, to realize a creative and fulfilling life. When you face it now, it changes your life now.
Our conscious mind is comfortable with what is predictable. However, we can get lost in and settle for roles in life that just work for us. However, this is most often unfulfilling. When we re-inhabit our emotional body, and awaken our unconscious minds we awaken to a richer and more fulfilling life.
Journeys into the unknown and rites of passage, understood as initiation, have been a part of most cultures. These are no longer an integral aspect of our modern lifestyle. We are more likely to dis-associate from our emotions and rites and initiations. As a result, we lose connection with the emotional aspect of our lives. This numbing or deadening is remedied when emotional eruption occurs and we give our attention to that something is not in balance.
Major life events often bring us to a deep place of uncertainty and challenge. Being willing to explore the emotions and questioning that these events often trigger can serve as a way for us to live beyond our roles and experience life more fully.
