June 14, 2009: Our multiple authenticities - Part 1 (Coaching teleclass)
We discussed in our last teleclass how various expressions make us up. We are not always conscious of these "entities," such as body, mind, intellect, creativity, work, vocation, relationships. Yet, each such part or "personality" seeks its true self, seeks its authentic expression.
Toward the end of our last teleclass, we did an exercise in which we considered how we manage our many expressions. We asked the question, Are we running a democracy, an autocracy, a monarchy, a theocracy, or an anarchy in our head? How do we treat our constituents? Who is the ruler of the roost? The responses to the exercise were diverse, interesting, and surprising.
How do we relate, manage those various parts that constitute each one of us? This is a big question! Do we suppress most if not all parts, repress some, put a tight lid on just one? Do we let one, some, or all loose? Do we allow each constituent a free but regulated expression? Do liberals or conservatives usually win the election? Do we ALLOW?
Since this is a coaching teleclass write-up, I thought of a few more questions that we could ask ourself with respect to finding the right balance in the authentic expression of all our parts.
Do we treat our body with respect? Do we believe that healthy body is the gateway to having a fruitful, peaceful, content life? Do we subtly believe that body is unimportant? Because it is mortal, messy, evil?
Talking of the expression of our body, most of which are instinctual, how do we treat our animal instincts, fears, our sex-drive, our appetite for food--both physical and mental? Do we enjoy all these--yes, including the fears? Do we buy into the mindset of "One-God Religions" that our body--with its hormones, lust, wants, sickness, and orgasms--is a gateway to Hell?
How do we treat our intellect? Do we appreciate our capacity to think? How do we expand your thinking? Meditation, prayer, reading, travel? Do we perpetuate unexamined beliefs that were passed down to us by our parents or our ethnic group? Do we understand that beliefs are just thoughts that you keep repeating? Have we ever thought of letting ourself think beyond our beliefs? Do we disrespect our schooling with believing in Hell and Heaven? Do horned gremlins with hooves pick us up with hayforks and fry us in castor oil for past misdeeds? Who defines what these misdeeds are? Who keeps the list of our misdeeds? How many virgins will meet us in heaven—16, 32, 64 or some other power of 2? Or are they the powers of 3? Will our carnal needs be satisfied in heaven if we are gay?
Lest my spiritually evolved friends get too self-righteous over those religious dogmas, let me ask them the following: Do you belief that everything is possible or do you limit yourself with conceptualizations of what reality should be? Do you help the poor by developing guilt consciousness and poverty mentality yourself? Do you think it is the way to compassionate living? Are you financially at peace or do you justify your dysfunctional relationship to money with some spiritual notion you are attached to? For example, do you believe that money is evil or unspiritual for some reason? Do you really love yourself? Do you value your time, energy, life?
How do we treat our creativity? Do we stuff it under the rug for being spontaneous, unruly and irrational? Do we know the difference between irrational and transrational? When did we last dance, sing, paint a picture, write a poem? When did we last read a poem or a book of fiction? Emily Dickinson, any one?
When was the last time you communed with a creek, hugged a tree, said thank you to a blade of grass while walking in a pristine forest? How do you treat a fleeting intuitive thought that passes through you as you gaze at the Sun setting over the Pacific? Have you ever got up at 3 am to drive to the Atlantic to see the Sun rise above the calm sea?
Do you admire this amazing Creation? Do you appreciate the Most High for being such a good sport with your life? Did you ask yourself why your life is so full of richness, welfare, and how you were protected when you did something really stupid at 14? Do you love and appreciate being alive?
Oh, and the relationships… When have we really said thank you to a friend for just being there in the Universe with us and gave her a big hug?
Finally, among all these aspects of your life, which one are you most passionate about? Body, mind, emotions, creativity, relationships, God? What is your passion? Do you like your passion? Do you fight with it? Do you possess a scarcity mindset about your passion? Are you fully invested in pursuit of your passion? Do you follow your bliss?
Copyright (c) Dr. Anatole Ruslanov
