Share the Spiritual

How many of us have found ourselves riding a tumultuous roller-coaster of emotions this past year? I know that I have, and here’s what many of us believe is happening.

More and more, we are being made to acknowledge the truth of our issues and let them go. This is so that we can move forward in our spiritual evolution. And so, we are rapidly facing pain that has been lurking in the shadows. We are having to release this pain with love.

Pain is created by false beliefs, and we are here to shift them. In order to do so, we must be completely honest with ourselves. We must realize that our issues are reflected in the people around us. And it is time for us to own them. It is time to stop judging and blaming the reflections, and look at ourselves instead.

For example, if we list the emotions that have been ignited by another person, we might see a life pattern of our own that needs resolving. It’s not about being right or wrong, but rather acknowledging being human. It is about embracing the truth that duality lies behind everything.

Duality is a rapid teacher, and that is why we are here. And it’s so encouraging to know that when we clear our personal issues, we are also helping to clean up the world. Spiritual teacher Mary Lane shares, “We are going through a collective cleanse of negative energy, that will keep us from moving into the higher frequency, that is necessary for the transition into a more life-affirming existence in our world. We are being asked to embrace our true nature. We are being asked to let go of old wounding that keeps us hooked into our anger and victim mentality.”

The old is dying and the new is being born. As the truth comes out, we may be grappling with uncontrollable emotions, such as frustration, anger, and resentment. We may feel depression as well as exhaustion, due to this tremendous growth spurt. We are experiencing some emotions collectively too, such as pain around how women have historically been treated. It is all coming out so that we can process it, release it with love, and grow.

In this way, the difficult situations that we are being presented with are gifts in disguise. At last, our life long issues get to be resolved! And we can help each other through them by compassionately sharing, heart to heart, what we are going through, instead of pointing the finger. We must be easy on each other and ourselves.

I am learning how to do this. I have been struggling to resolve my relentless issues that leave me feeling very alone, but then I’m reminded that separation is just a left brain perception. I am trying to forgive myself and others, while asking for help from above. And I’m even thanking difficult situations for teaching me. What helps most is when I fully feel the emotions that are buried within me and then breathe them out of my body. I combine this with heart centered meditations that are tremendously renewing. When I feel love in my heart for everyone, including myself, then I am free.

In his passionate post “River of Love,” Father Richard Rohr writes, “all of us are much larger than the good or bad stories we tell about ourselves. Please don’t get caught in just “my” story, my hurts, my agenda. It’s too small. It’s not the whole You, the Great You. It’s not the great river. It is part of a much larger stream called God. The river of love is flowing; we are in it.”

This is what we are learning. We are learning to detach from unhealthy ties that bind – from expectations and judgment, from fears and ego identity, so that we can live with unconditional love. When we feel tremendous empathy for each other and compassion for the human experience, everything else melts away – all the arguments and negative dialogues. Love outshines all that came before, and we begin to see ourselves in every person. And yet, we also get to stand strong in who we uniquely are, free from old definitions. This readies us to help our world.

Be very kind and patient with yourself through all of this new growth. Nurture and love yourself, and listen to what your needs are – rest, healthy food, and a positive environment. Remember that you are not alone, and that we are all going through this. Best of all, we can work with the renewing energy of spring to let go, and to courageously grow.