I was driving on the highway with my family when we came upon a farming combine in a field nearby that was on fire. It was in the midst of a windstorm and there was no one helping. We called 911 to report it.
I noticed how my kids where very distraught seeing this. I was also concerned for the people involved and I reflected how I have somehow developed the skill of separating from what is impacting others to protect my own experience. I noticed how this habit of protecting keeps me from being aware of my connection beyond myself to something greater.
There are many polarities around us. Light and dark, right and wrong, us and them, our humanity is divided. Although technology has made our connections global, the opportunities to learn of our common ground as human beings appear to be receding.
Polarities have an exclusive quality; they maintain separation between ourselves and others. The need to separate seems to come from the natural human instinct to protect and maintain safety from what is unknown… And, to protect from what we might know far too much about.
I am familiar with the experience of separation and exclusivity in my own life. How I wished to be a certain way and that things have not always lined up as I planned. If only I could just dissect parts of myself that I didn’t like, things could be better. This effort to separate myself proved to be one of my most painful experiences I have had. In my life polarities hurt and they likely hurt all of us as a society.
With no other option but to turn towards the things I did not always want to see and protect from in myself, I discovered the power of awareness. That bringing curiosity and awareness to what is arising, be it feelings, emotions or sensations, moving through this and allowing the experience. I could learn of the wisdom behind and connect with something greater. Here new choice was possible.
As a young logic minded Engineer, I was idealistic and had a sense that things needed to be one-way, clear cut. Overtime I have learned that there is so much grey and many sides to what is understood, many things my privilege has protected me from seeing and knowing, and plenty that I don’t understand nor have experienced.
Although it feels safe to protect from what I don’t want to experience or know more about, I realize we here in a time where collaboration towards what really matters is becoming very important, calling us to turn towards what is uncomfortable for the sake of a life beyond.
What calls you forward?
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Photo credit Madonna Young Photgraphy https://instagram.com/madonnayoungphotography?igshid=5eucb46ptsxn
