Last night I was at a knowledge share meetup regarding the inner world and consciousness. I was exploring some ideas and perspectives with the group and one man interrupted a sentence and exclaimed: "What do you think is the one thing we're all here for?" After a pause and a few people mumbling that that was quite a question or not an easy one to answer, I said, "well, I'd have to tune into each person here and inquire about that, perhaps for a minute or an hour each and afterwards I could name what the most dominant answer or theme is." Before I could even get that entire sentence out he said: "Well that's just too complicated!"
Essentially, generalizations are designed to help simplify things. Instead of being overwhelmed by variations, one can make broad statements to make it easier to understand or relate to oneself, others or the world at large. There comes a point though, when it's time to dismantle the generalizations. Instead of being helpful they become harmful, in that they prevent us from truly being with each other, embracing difference, acknowledging uniqueness and accounting for the dynamic, fluctuating, diverse nature of self, others and the world. So, what generalizations or assumptions have you internalized that now is the time to dismantle? The key generalizations that I feel are essentially necessary to dismantle are those such as: I'm too much, I'm not good enough, I'm not worthy, No one can...., Life is...., People are...., I am ...... It's those sweeping statements that can prevent us from truly knowing and being ourselves. They can also undermine our ability to make beneficial changes in our lives and relate in a space of love, trust and innocence. It's important to note that many of these generalizations were put in place at a young age and were able to take root due to having been accompanied by an immense feeling of invalidation, a shutting down of the heart, a sense of "I can't be as I am," and a desperate attempt to find a way to cope with that terrifying possibility. When we can find our way out from that heavy blanket of shame and underlying sense of doom, we can then begin dismantling those statements. I'm too much for who? Based on what? I'm not good enough for what? According to whom? How was that assessed? How could they know that? I'm not worthy of what? Who is the one to decide that? How could they know the truth of me? How do I know no one can ... How do I know for sure that life is ..... What is the benefit of deciding I know for sure who I am, how I am or what I am? Freedom is at hand, from the invalidating effects of sweeping assumptions and broad generalizations. We no longer have to fight them, defend against them or prove that they are true or false. Instead we can bring attention and awareness to them so as to see through them, dismantle them with presence and acknowledge their function and their limitations. It may be easier to hold onto them, than to see the world without them. That is a possibility. It may lead us to feel overwhelmed or like it's "too complicated," but if we're up for that phase of transition, we can find our way through to the truth, beauty and richness on the other side. This is where intimacy is; The capacity to see, hear, feel and understand each other. No longer will we be putting things on people and trying to get them to match up to it, nor will we be lost defending for or against assumptions that we have of other people or other people have of us. At some point generalizations don't keep us safe, they prevent us from truly relating, keep us from feeling, hearing, seeing and understanding everyone, including ourselves. That's when we know it's time to dismantle them. If it's time for you to do some dismantling and gain access to your capacity for intimacy and acceptance of the variations, uniqueness, flux and dynamic nature of all that is, you're welcome to get in touch for a session. I love to support the revealing of the true simplicity within the complexity and bring the relief that comes from seeing clearly and meeting what's here without force, fight or defense, yet with a potent capacity for change.
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8/21/2019 05:36:15 pm
In just a few more minutes I will be done going through my list of the things I need to do today. I just realised the day is not over yet but I am almost done. Sometimes it feels good to actually accomplish something. If I have a choice, I am going to be like this everyday. I am going to just focus on work and not worry about anything and everything else. Unfortunately, anxiety is never like that. There will be days when it will never allow you to finish even a small chunk of what you are supposed to do. It will keep yelling at you like a nagging mother.
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Christine helps people to approach life with greater care, love & wisdom. offering presence and a unique quality of attention she can assist people to play an active role in their mental, emotional and physical health no matter what is going on. With all of the different tools and methods she has access to, she inspires, encourages and supports people to really love and honour themselves, and thus be more able to love and honour others. Through her patience, kindness and astute awareness of the body, mind and heart she accelerates people's self-healing journeys and makes the inner and outer world a whole lot easier to navigate!Categories
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