Dear ones,
What’s one thing most humans have in common right now? We're so polarized about the content of who is good/bad, right/wrong about vaccines, covid, variants, climate, finances, media, politics. How do we find common ground?
My loves, all of us want to be safe. This is a driving force behind many, if not all positions on just about any inflammatory topic.
And many of us are riding high waves of fear, whether we are conscious of it, or unaware of it in the background.
Our fears are unique to each of our own selves - and they are shared in all of us in the strong pull of safety.
It’s pretty normal that we attach fear to an issue, to a person, to blaming someone. I do that on a regular basis with my husband. If I slow down to notice the process unfolding, first and unconsciously, a fear pricks at me, tickles and grows on my insides, parts of me look around for a reason, my husband is a target, and then I launch into the blame game. My husband is just a convenient and close excuse.
Most of the time, he's not really the reason or the cause for my discomfort. My own feelings and my fears are the source of my discomfort.
When you notice your fear, or its neighbor, blame, I invite you to try the You-turn. Instead of our very normal reaction of pointing fingers and shaming and blaming others, take a look inside yourself. Let’s get comfy and make some warm, loving space for the fears that you carry.
Your fears matter. And being with your fears brings about the most human of healing and transformation.
It is very seductive to believe that if [xyz] people would just [abc], then I won’t feel afraid or feel this bad. And sometimes there is some truth in that. We all know of real scenarios where bad things happened to us because another person did something to me.
There is no guarantee of safety in life. We cannot make people agree with us. I know you, dear human, are a wise person, with many great ideas on how to make this a world a better place. But alas, we will never have unanimous agreement about anything. And that actually isn't a problem. Diversity of thought and opinion are valuable and needed in every arena of life.
You have power and control to help yourself. This is real power, and you are more powerful than you might now know. Being with the parts of you that are sure you're right, and being with the parts of you that are afraid. Unblending from both will bring space and healing. There may be anger, grief, sadness, despair, memories, feelings, sensations too.
Being with fear, facing your fear, sounds simple. And it is a powerful, timeless practice that many spiritual teachings have pointed to over and over.
Finding loving space for our fears can bring healing inside ourselves that have ripple effects far beyond what we are facing in politics and in health. Being blended with fear often leaves us feeling the only options are good/bad, right/wrong, us versus them. Healing fear opens up space for creative problem solving and ways to cross lines and find common ground.
It may not be instantaneous. It will take regular practice. It might even take dedication. I personally am finding the results to be so worth it, for me and many people I know. I am discovering a bedrock of myself that far outweighs the safety of group agreement. I am in boundless joy at times, that defies logic or reason, even at this heightened time of pressure.
I am attracted to those people who have also found this bedrock of calm, deep, joyous knowing. People who do not blow with the tides of popularity or oppositionality or proselytizing, but are filled with the truth of themselves and the compassionate connection to all humanity. Yes, to ALL of humanity. These people inspire me, and are the people I hope will shine forth from this challenging time.
It is a choice you can make right now – turn outward with blame, or turn inward with courage to face your own fears and bring about a different kind of healing.
With great love and joy,
Marta
Resources
Here are some resources that are helping me navigate these intense times. I invite you to share with me any resources you’ve found especially helpful and uplighting.
Morning and evening grounding exercises
I do these grounding exercises every day, and they are very helpful in staying grounded and not swept away by the energies around you, whether that’s parenting, work culture, or polarizing topics.
Grounding for intensity
This is one if you’re feeling the intensity in the air these days.
If being with your fear calls to you, and you’d like some help and support in this endeavor, please respond to this email for a free call to see if we’re a good fit for one-on-one healing support.
I plan to start a weekly free meditation in the fall, incorporating practices from inner parts work, energy healing, and somatic exercises. Sign up here to be on the weekly invitation list.