The world is taking a collective pause, a deep breath if you'd like, as we all process the dramatic changes we are confronted with on a daily basis. Many others have already written about the silver linings of cleaner air, the sounds of birds, the return of nature; and yet for some - who must carry on - such silver linings may feel distant at best.
It's worth remembering that we are living through a true 'once in a lifetime' event, and we're all in this together right now. At a global level, our systems and ways of living are being laid bare for what it was - completely unsustainable. Perhaps we are seeing for the first time that the emperor has no clothes, and what we thought we knew is being turned on its head?
From a personal perspective, I've been observing the pandemonium with curiosity, staying out of the drama, and taking the time to focus on how I can serve in a crisis like this. If there has been a universal change - it has been a shift towards more kindness in the world; and an outpouring of support to those in need.
This week I listened to a message from my brothers high in the Andes. The message was based on a simple concept - one of reciprocity, or in the quechua language ayni - where nothing ever goes one way.
What Puma sees from his vantage point is a deep heaviness around the world - a sign of our growing illness as a global community. We have been unwell with our excesses and our pursuit of imbalance; and this great event is part of our getting well. It's a unique opportunity for people to come together and remember that we are all in this together, and to re-consider what's most important in our lives. Most importantly though, we must remember that this too shall pass. For a new way of being to come into existence on our planet, the old way must be allowed to die.
How long did we, as a species, feel we could take everything from the Earth, our great mother before the Earth decided to force a change? Puma shared that this change has been relatively gentle as he reminds us that it could've been worse, and he's right. It could have been much worse. While it is causing a lot of pain and suffering around the world, it is also allowing us to reflect on our lives in the most magical of ways.
Where to begin with these reflections?
The easiest place to start is with ourselves, and like the concentric circles of a tree that radiate from the core of the trunk, we can move outwards to our immediate family, and so on and so forth as far as we wish to explore.
Self Inquiry
Three questions in any dimension of your life can help you kick off the self-inquiry process. The dimensions you can explore might be:
Relationships
Health
Finances and Money
Career and work
Personal development
Leisure and Past times
Physical environment /home
Three Questions*
1. What is decaying, or stagnant in your life right now? Each of us has a forest within our lives and within ourselves. Part of our job is to know what we need to let go so that it can provide space and sustenance for what is to come.
List out the things that aren't working, that feel blocked or stuck in your life - be honest and clear about what these things are. A useful way to explore this further when you've exhausted your list is to look at what you're avoiding.
2. What is working right now? What feels good and exciting and draws your attention each day. Where are you motivated in a positive and affirming way? In your forest, what are those emergent trees or the ones that are covered in beautiful flowers that get your attention so that they flourish? It's important to notice the distinction between the things you want to cultivate, and those things that get your attention (and flourish) that you don't want to cultivate in your life.
3. What is the one thing that you can change, that by doing that, everything else changes? There is often a key which unlocks everything else. Is it possible for you to see that key for yourself and open yourself up to the possibilities of a different reality if you were to make that change? This is perhaps the harder of the questions to answer for yourself, and where the help of a coach or mentor can sometimes be helpful.
In this time of pause, reset and self-isolation, we are being given a magical opportunity to make radical changes in our relationship to ourselves and those around us. In our homes and in our lives we can connect more deeply than ever before, to ourselves, our families and our loved ones.
Our junk food has been turned off, so turn off the other junk in your life - like junk news and junk TV. Use this time to rediscover the truth of who you are, the truth of your relationships and the truth of what you really want in life.
As Carl Jung reminded us: In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order. Disruption and upheaval leads to massive creativity and leaps of thought. How will you adapt, evolve and re-create your future.
You've been given this chance... don't waste it.
If at any time you'd like to have a conversation with me, book into my calendar or drop me a message.
During Covid-19, I am offering:
Group Online Breathwork Sessions + Breathful Transformations (membership community coming soon for transforming stress and fear immediately)
Alchemy of Potential Community (a new membership community launching soon)
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