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Expectations, Disappointments & Curiosity!

Exploring The Unknown with Curiosity and Wander, instead of Negativity and Fear

“The first and simplest emotion which we discover in the human mind, is curiosity.”

EDMUND BURKE
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Curiosity is a natural and spontaneous movement of consciousness. We see it through all forms of life. In a way, it is a celebration of all forms of experience, as well as an inherent ability to penetrate the nature of experience. With curiosity, we penetrate the unknown which propels evolution and transformation beyond the conceptual limitations of the Separate Self.

When we are seated in curiosity, expectation and disappointment dissolve into an experience that is here to be penetrated, studied and released, without definitive conclusion. Disappointment can be painful, but it’s a melody from their depth of need: the unfulfilled need that is intrinsic to disappointment can bring us to deeper layers of ourselves, to places where we have denied ourselves a resource. Expectation can deflect us from the present moment and generate stress and illusion, but what is the fire behind it? What is it that we’re not allowing in ourselves that propels us to grasp towards the future, even to attempt to control the future? Both expectation and disappointment are naturally arising emotions, but where do they begin to dictate our direction, distort our perception and weigh down our sense of well-being? How do they become background states of being?

Curiosity will ask these questions, but won’t dictate the answers. Beyond conclusions and contractions, the seat of curiosity is alive in the here and now, receiving information without filters through the Felt Sense. It will invite trapped experience to life, and as a seat of perception, will open a channel of transformation.

Expectation!

Expectation can cause a severe distortion in the perception, it causes the activation of imagination of form based on data stored in the memory. Rooted in the impulse to control experience, expectation projects outcomes and actively interferes with direct perception. To live in expectation is to live in a state of vigilance or stress. Stress hormones activate the part of the brain monitoring our survival activities which moves through duality – fundamentally, the duality of good and bad, right and wrong, it is the duality that is the source of separation.

When we expect the worst, we tend to create the experience of the worst – and live it fully even before anything ever happened. If we expect the best, we create the experience of the best, which can involve relying quite heavily on denial to upkeep the projection. The eyes of expectation look outward and in this way, it is always disempowered. any outside expectation one’s have affirm the inability to have it within, it is created from the energy of lack, and from undeniable avoidance to confront the self and processing the root cause of the created void, It is as if the contractions within the personality are dialoguing with the imagination in a manner which precludes surprise or shock. This tendency to live in expectation is generally based on pain and a refusal to experience or process that suffering which is already alive within. In denial of suffering, it restricts the vitality available in the resource of the present moment.

Disapointment!

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Whatever we expect, we will always be disappointed. When we expect our worst nightmare, and it doesn’t happen, we can experience a secret disappointment – as we will have to wait a little longer for the release of inner form through physical manifestation.

Often our positive expectations are based on bypassing the suffering of the heart into fulfilment, peace, love and freedom. Because these Non dual Qualities are expected to arrive from the outside, in the future, consciousness is blinded a priori to expanding into them in the here and now.

A feeling of disappointment can be the background atmosphere of a lifetime, which perpetually reaffirms itself each time an external object fails to bring satisfaction. It can be especially poignant when that object has previously awoken a sense of connection with our True Nature. Suffering around repeated disappointment can generate a background state of disappointment that constantly fulfils itself. For example, when parents have promised fulfilment to their children to distract them from the difficulty of the present moment – and later broken those promises – then the pattern of broken promises begins to be expected. It makes us feel ‘at home’. Disappointment begins to feel safer than an unexpected fulfilment.

When disappointment becomes an expectation, parts of the psyche that were alert with anticipation start to freeze in depression as consciousness is withdrawn from form. In this way, the stress of expectation solidifies into a freezing of vitality under the verdict that ‘life is disappointing’. The allocation of blame on outer authority further disempowers the psyche, adding to the feeling of impotence in form. Such a client needs a lot of encouragement. They will be reluctant to take time and space. In a way, they have dis-appointed themselves from their lives.

Curiosity! The Non Dual road

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Curiosity is ‘the impulse towards better cognition,’’ meaning that it is the desire to understand that which you do not (James, 1899). He noted that, in children, it drives them toward objects of novel, sensational qualities—that which is ‘‘bright, vivid, startling.’’

Philosopher and psychologist William James

The movement of exploration arising out of curiosity delivers its own reward in the form of impressions through the psyche. Curiosity is a quality that moves beyond the judgmental mind – exemplifying the dialogue, flow and evolution inherent to being here, now.

Curiosity liberates consciousness and brings authenticity to the sense of connection. As much as it is active through the penetration of form, it is equally receptive in the unconditional allowance of impressions. It has the power to dispel illusion and invite contractions into life, liberating the flow of learning and insight. In this way, curiosity awakens and can open the excitement of increased vitality that comes with the receptive side of the sense of truth.

Above all, curiosity is needed in the nature of expectation and disappointment and the living contractions in the here and now that lead us to displace our direct connection with the layers of who we are.

Food for Thoughts!

When we experience tension or disagreement with another person, it can be helpful for conflict resolution and bias reduction to wonder how their experiences may be shaping their beliefs and behaviour. Curiosity is about continually pressing a stop button, and calling your “I am presence”, going within and asking questions. When those questions are open-ended and directed at our own thoughts and assumptions, we can gain insight and self-knowledge.

Here are some questions you can ask:

  • What factors in their past or present could be influencing their reaction?
  • How do my experiences differ from theirs?
  • Why are they reacting this specific way?
  • How are my experiences influencing my perception of the situation?
  • What Can I learn from this situation that could be beneficial for my future encounters?
  • How did I contribute to this conflict? how can I own the responsibility of my part? Am I feeling like a victim here? what does that make me (disempowered, weak, projecting on others….?)

When we’re able to understand how perspectives other than our own come to be, we are cultivating the skill of empathy a seed from which compassion can grow.

In fact, it’s in our nature to be compassionate. But it is often our own beliefs about our ability to change that hold us back. Grant yourself the same compassion that you would give to others by questioning those beliefs—once you do, you can increase the likelihood of forming a new habit.

Practice silent curiosity as you move about daily activities. Both allow the sense of curiosity towards what you perceive, and notice curiosity in other life-forms. When you’re resting or can close the eyes, be curious about any thoughts, feelings or sensations. It can be simple, like being curious about an area of stress in the body.

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, can assist in changing our neuroplasticity, which is the ability of our brain to change old beliefs and thought forms in response to our past experiences. it can help us cultivate curiosity about the potential distortions colouring our thoughts, and serves in recognising our patterns and how our thoughts and reactions are being influenced.

Curiosity may or may not have killed the cat, but it doesn’t have to kill you. Instead consider that curiosity is the birth of all possibilities…and it is the doorway to your limitlessness

Posted on by ikram0408@gmail.com

Earth Magic

From Old Shamanism to Modern Ecology

Evolution and Patriarchy

Did the modern society advance since the ancient times? Did this advancement or evolution include humans?

Looking at the situation of the world today, I do not agree that human were included in the evolution process, we find patriarchal led society driven by control and power, where few wealthy “elite” control the masses, we are witnessing a world where equality is still a distant wish, and prosperity is out of reach to many. Evolution created advanced societies where the human race is dangerously disconnected from the Natural and the Spiritual worlds.

Ancient Matriarch in Old Egypt, and the connection to EARTH:

let us look back into ancient times, and reflect on old prosperous matriarchal societies such as old Egypt. Ruling Pharos had no objection recognising the equality between the Sacred Feminine and the Sacred Masculine. The matriarchal consciousness was associated with eternity, cycles of time, ritual, magic, altered states, and arts. The patriarchal consciousness was associated with history, linear time, dogma, rationality, waking reality, and science. Both were of equal value.

Throughout history, strong patriarchal societies existed when the sun was worshiped while matriarchal societies submerged when the moon was worshiped. During much of Egyptian history, people worshiped both the moon and the sun, which gave rise to both . For the most part, both the sun, Ra, and the moon, Konsu, were a vital part of the religion of ancient Egypt.

ancient egyptian paintings
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It is very clear, that the connection to Earth, embodied and embraced by the Sacred Divine Feminine had a huge impact in the prosperity of the matriarch society. The question worth asking here is why and how does Earth play this vital role?

The Human Race Connection to Earth is a Spiritual Connection

Our relationship with the Earth is not merely physical. The Earth is alive; it is spiritual. All living entities of the Earth are an expression of the spirit. The soil of the Earth, for example, consists of minerals and organic matter, holding the roots of plants. There is a mysterious, spiritual and alive quality to it. This gives us an indication to the relationship we have with nature, which is of a communion, the life in us or our spirit, is constantly in communion with the spirit animals, plants, waters, mountains…etc , this is what we call Ecology

Ecology Explained

Ecology is the only conclusion of our high human potential: to find our wholeness , we need to love ourselves, and the context that keeps us alive. Just as the organic, logical relation between the cells of the human body, ecology is the rule that makes everything stay together, connected, working, functioning, surviving. Ecology as the rule of Interconnectedness is our default software as beings. When did we as humanity forget it?

“Shamanism represents spiritual ecology. Shamanism is not about the simple veneration of Nature, it is about a reciprocal spiritual communication that restores the lost connection that our human ancestors had with the amazing spiritual power and beauty of our garden called Earth.”

Michael Harner, The Way of the Shaman

In any shamanic tradition around the world the main factor is maintaining balance and harmony within and without!. the concept of balance starts by being in tune with our inner being, and extend it to the community and then to nature. a level of Respect for the ecosystem is also the foundation of the entire ritualistic behaviour of the shaman; the shaman only uses his routines to protect and give forth, from one generation to another, the rules used to live in Sync with nature, to honor it, respect it and express gratitude for it. Rituals of gratitude are part of the ceremonies led by Shamans and the indigenous towards the primordial elements (fire, water, sky, land, wood, metal etc.), animals giving humans food, towards the land, towards the spirits of nature (the wood spirits, spirits of the mountain, oceans etc.), towards ancestors who brought them in this existence and from whom they inherited centuries of wisdom… this profound respect is in fact a constant state of connection with the environment, with all that life is. All this was lost for modern humans, this daily routine of connection, this inner attitude of respect and connection with All There Is, as without our ancestors and without all the environment has to offer… we would not be alive.

Shamans are medicine men/women, healers, seers, (reading signs in the human body but also with the help of the natural elements in the environment). They perform all these activities for the greater good of the community calling for help from the spirit guides. The shamans keep the balance between sky and earth, they balance the body-heart-mind of people and keep the respectful balance between man and nature. They watch out for balance and reciprocity in giving and receiving, by respecting the cycles of nature, they know when to harvest a fruit, when to stop consuming and letting the tree rest and recuperate. Being great observers of life, they feel the subtle signs of change in nature from one season to the next. they know the movement of the main stars in the night sky and if this is going to be a good year for the crops or not. Shamans are the first to understand when ”unseen dimensions” change their harmony (sometimes referring to changes in the electromagnetic field of the Earth reversing its poles, causing the change of the sky routes that birds follow, or the surface water flow used by fish and wildlings to navigate.

a new era of Shamanism

Antony Steven, a psychologist and MD says this two million years old Self, the ordaining centre of the collective unconscious, this continuous chain of experiences called individual life, this Self is a collective character: as Jungians discovered, the particular experience of each and every one of us, counts and influences be it the pathology, or the healing process of everybody. The two million years human understands what it means to be sick and what’s necessary for healing because, as Stevens argues, “acceptance, empathy, attachment and affiliation with this indigenous Self residing in our psyche is the key to adaptation and health”.

(The Two Million-Year-Old Self, Anthony Stevens, 1993)

As per Anthony, there is a resurrection or an awakening of the archetype of the Shaman within each and everyone of us, calling us to reclaim our inner balance and inner union, which will lead us to the union and balance with our community and our nature. each one of us does the mirroring. What is it that psychologists actually do? They mirror and help us in the process of self- resignification. What is it that artists do? They mirror the interior and exterior universe and re-signify it in relation with the Self.

The shaman fulfils some of the transcendental artistic expression, some of the counselling and accompanying done by psychologists and philosophers. Acting as a mirror and also being the creator of the collective dream, he is the storyteller and keeper of the cultural memory, reminding us of the work of a Jungian analyst helping us read and rewrite the ‟circuitry” of our soul. We now live a time when this shaman is showing himself again to the world.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND KEEPING IT CLEAN AND BALANCED , WHICH IS IN FACT THE FUNDAMENTAL ACT OF RESPECTING THE CYCLE OF LIFE.

Embodying the sacred feminine energy

In shamanic culture there is no distinction being made between the natural world and human world, and this is the reason why the human beings community is constantly conscious of the fact that it always has unlimited access to resources by respecting the simple rule to not overly consume, destroy etc. This identification with the environment informs humans (gives them hope and belief) that they live in abundance, that humans are not alone, that life means continuity and cycles, that passing through various stages of evolution and various sufferings are a given Principle of life, of the great All That Is.

“Our interconnectedness with all that exists is an absolute truth: nothing and no one can exist outside of All There Is, the Universe, the Whole.”

Evelyn Rysdyk, The Norse Shaman 2016

All the characteristics listed above, are none but of the embodiment of the sacred feminine energy, the compassionate, inclusive, empathic part of us, the one that sees the world with an eye of togetherness not of separation, the intuitive one, which is always in tune, & communion with nature and with the Creator, the seeker of balance and peace.

By being conscious, living with Presence & awareness, we can co-create and prosper, we can elevate and inspire those around us to elevate too!

There is only one way! which is the way of LOVE! the way of Feminine.

Posted on by ikram0408@gmail.com

You Are Your Biggest Saboteur

how your limiting beliefs can block you from your dreams

A belief, is the attitude an individual cultivates towards what he perceives as truth. In epistemology, philosophers use the term “belief” to refer to personal attitudes associated with  ideas and concepts. However, a “belief” does not require active introspection and circumspection. 

The mind acceptance of the belief is usually underpinned by an emotional and spiritual certainty, this showcase the multi- dimensional nature of a belief, it engages who we are on a mental, emotional, spiritual and physical level, which explains the power of our belief system and the reason it has a strong grip on us.

“For some of our most important beliefs, we have no evidence at all, except that people we love and trust hold these beliefs. Considering how little we know, the confidence we have in our beliefs is preposterous—and it is also essential.”

—2002 Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman
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