The Dual Nature of Opening Up
When the beautiful force of Shakti/Chi flows through, it may seem like bliss and ecstasy for a while. However, it sometimes seems like it also paves the way for a very uniquely manufactured set of fears to latch on – if you’re not paying attention. This is probably why for those who have not sharpened the knife of their presence and attention enough, this force may just seem like just another duality game at play. They essentially just experience the opposites if they are not careful. Let’s explore some approaches to tackling this dilemma.
When the beautiful wave is flowing through and presenting new creative ideas and filling your heart up with joy, be extremely present to experience it and enjoy it completely. If you notice carefully, there are still some fear based thoughts floating around at that time as well. However, there doesn’t seem to be any fear for them to latch on to – so they basically don’t cause any harm. At some point, a tinge of fear-based emotion manages to creep back in and now the fear based thoughts can create a story and latch on. If you were staying present all this while, you can continue to remain present and allow the mind to present its story and feel the fear without getting completely identified. The tendency here is to wince away from the fear because the story it is now presenting is uniquely scary – hitting you at a brand new angle. Just show the new story that you are willing to look and listen to it. Also, notice the heart processing the fear. Relax and allow this show to occur and don’t get carried away.
Often, the mind will un-entangle itself if we just allow it to. Deliberate positive thinking may not even be necessary and if needed, should be used only once most of the fear has vibrated out. It should not be attempted as a means to try to push the fear away since the fear is as welcome there as any other beautiful emotion. As for the thoughts themselves, a suggestive conscious phrase could be “Ok, thanks for showing me that, let it be”. Then, you just have to sit with the discomfort of letting it be! Sometimes, you may not know a way out or what to really do about it, but that is ok – don’t try to change it, let it be.
I suppose until a person is fully crystallized (completely enlightened), this dualistic process can continue to occur indefinitely. There is plenty of unconsciousness in the human collective shadow for new types of fears to show itself. Every once in a while, you may get lost in the story and may have to find your way back through some effort and extra presence which may take longer than a few minutes or days. Perhaps the outside circumstances are such that they are pushing you in a new way. That is the beauty and the dance of life. You experience the duality until you collapse it completely. When it is completely collapsed, you would have realized everything there is to realize. But is that something that can be achieved in any given lifetime? Not sure, and it’s probably better not to expect and chase it and just enjoy the journey instead.
