Being a Complete River
Often when we think of a river, we only remember the water, that flows endlessly with strength and grace. But what about the mighty riverbanks that support it? Without it, the liquid nature of water would have no direction and would spread randomly in all directions. The two have an interesting relationship - the banks are carved out by water itself yet it is also crucial in maintaining that particular form of the water. It’s similar to how God creates forms and then uses forms to sustain itself.
Keeping the above analogy in mind can be very useful as we progress along our inner journey. As life force energy/prana/chi/kundalini/shakti begins to awaken within us and make us more aware of ourselves, we may sometimes be wrecked by her powerful force. Though there are beautiful moments of expansion and oneness, there can also be an exaggerated awareness of the shadow that can overwhelm us if we don’t slow down. Providing ourselves with a sense of presence, safety and security is crucial to directing the flow.
In case you haven’t guessed, that very presence and connectedness with the stability within is akin to the riverbanks while Shakti is the water, imbued with wholesome kinetic energy that allows it to flow.
Presence without Shakti feels dry and lifeless, with no capacity to nurture and promote expansion. On the other hand, Shakti without presence can either be powerless or can wreak havoc, depending on its magnitude. It can be as bad as a flash flood or a tsunami or as weak as a puddle on the ground.
The process of applying this analogy requires balance, just like the yin and yang principle. There are times of feeling “stuck”, not having a clue about what to do where more yin and flow-inducing activities may be necessary. On the flip side, when emotions of any kind – both “positive” and “negative” are generating a high potential, applying more of the yang principle through affirmations and grounding may be crucial.
This process requires practice, and the mind might try to nail down a “technique” that will definitely work during any challenge or trouble. However, we need to gently remind ourselves that there is no formula to life and the spontaneity of it is what makes it beautiful. It may be a better idea to build faith in our ability to handle whatever arises in the present moment, knowing that the perceived threats of the “future moments” will also arrive in the present moment.
Rather than perceiving the awakening process as something with an endpoint or a goal to be achieved, this perspective can bring in a more rounded approach. Life is like a river. At times, we are wading peacefully through calm waters whereas sometimes we are in the middle of turbulent whitewater or even plunging down a waterfall. If even in the latter, we can remember that the banks are supporting us and we are taken care of, we will manage to find a sense of calm.
