Saturday 11 May 2013

BOUNDARIES
A representation of our personal thresh-hold.
These are dependent on our past experiences and conditioning.
We need to be aware of present boundaries and their strength or weakness.  This usually becomes apparent when we feel discomfort around a situation that we allowed and then later felt was not ok.
As the awareness is respected we can then create an intention.  I will be more..... I will respect my needs... and commit to staying with this intention until discomfort moves to a different place.
Some people experience a delay in response, which can be days or even weeks to an event.  This is a form of shock or trauma.  This pattern can relate directly to experiences of a traumatic nature in the past.
If we feel this numbness or inability to connect to a situation or make any decision, it is best to step away. Create space and nourish yourself until the trauma lifts and you can be clearer about your needs.
The strengthening of boundaries is necessary until we can be fully supportive of ourselves and know what is serving our highest needs.
Eventually we can simply be with this knowing and at the same time appreciate everyone is on their own exploration and it is a choice for us to join them or be else-where.
The rigidity of the boundary then becomes the circle of acceptance, understanding and compassion.
COMMITMENT
As Goethe said "Until one is committed there is a hesitancy, a chance to hold back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans, the moment one commits oneself then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to assist one that never would otherwise have occurred.  A whole stream of events, issues from this decision, raising in ones favour, all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no person could have dreamed would ever come their way.  Whatever you can do or believe you can do, begin it, for boldness has Genius magic and power in it. Begin it Now.
Meaning and Purpose
What is Spirituality. What brings your Spirit to the All. What connects you to Life, gives you meaning?
Is it your Beliefs, your Values, your deepest Needs.
Only you know what makes you feel whole.
Not as you rush and Do, not as you think and talk
But in the Stillness of this moment, when their is no distraction, no diversion.  For only here everything reveals itself, the pain, the discomfort, the longings, the emptiness.
Beyond the superficial expressions of the ego is peace and pure trust in the essence of life.  The perfection of this moment and how we are here, all the time.  There is no coming to or being in or working towards this moment, Now. It is present in every breath, every sound, every action as we become more aware of what we do to stay out of this state.
We contemplate, complain, blame, discuss, argue, fight with the superficial layers of consciousness to bounce around in the muck.  Instead we could rest, listen, humble, simplify with the discipline of mindfulness and practice loving kindness to firstly ourselves and eventually others.
Practice listening, practice stillness, practice caring for your true nature.
To move forward, we must be still.
Forward is an illusion created by the ego to keep us from feeling a true sense of self.  We have been trained from an early age to move away from our true nature.
Our Culture is one of Fear.  Firstly we need to contact the fear that inhibits us so we can take care of it and transform it.  Like a small child lost in the dark, we need to find them and take their hand to guide them to the light. Assure them that they are safe and Life is supportive.
To find them we need to be still and listen with all our senses.
Physical - sound, sight, touch smell taste
Emotional - vibrations, contraction, intensity
Mental - patterns and formations of thought, intensity
Spiritual - deep feelings, knowing, trust in Life
As Tich Nhat Hahn says "Be still and Know"
Practice stillness day to day through mindful movements and action
Meditation.  Ask yourself what you need
Listen and nurture the aspects of you that need support.