Relieving Stress with Authenticity
“I know it’s a big, DUH!” said my friend. “There is almost no pain when I am being authentic to my own needs and feelings.” It was so well-put, I felt compelled to share it with a little commentary on why this is vital to living well when we are facing big challenges.
It always amazes me how hard it can be to anchor our attention in the now-moment, even when things are going well. When things go awry, it can seem a monumental task to behave and choose based on what is true right now, without the distortions of past interfering and causing us to fear the uncertainties we face about the future. It is such a powerful temptation to feel that others’ problems, wants and desires are more important than meeting our own needs.
Spotted Eagle tells us that the only basis we have to perceive things in an authentic way, to behave authentically and to make authentic choices, is to bring our attention back to the now-moment. When the now-moment contains things we wish were not there, our resistance robs us of our willingness to be present, to face whatever challenge is before us, and to put our own oxygen masks on first before helping others.
There is nowhere we can run and nowhere to hide from the issues and conditioning that rise up in the mind when we are triggered by what is in the present moment. We can certainly choose to stay stressed and freaked out. But if we are to take dominion over our lives, a confrontation with our distortions is inevitable. Seeing our pattern of distortion is fundamental because without owning our patterns, we will be unable to free ourselves to perceive things in an undistorted way, to behave in a manner consistent with basic self-care, and to choose what we would choose if our thinking were not distorted by fear or fantasy.
It’s a tall order, but then again, being a human is not spiritual kindergarten. It’s more like a PhD program in how to live your authentic life, in spite of the material plane’s uncertainties.
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Posted in Crisis, Emotions, Fear, Uncertainty, Willingness
February 21st, 2010 at 8:09 am
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