Recently I’ve been dealing with change; much of which is significant. The end of an old relationship, the beginning of new ones, my living situation, changing significant aspects of my career, etc… Often in my past, I’ve become overwhelmed with this amount of change. The feeling of wanting “a safe place to stand” would arise. I would feel desperate to find that safe place where I could rest my head in order to calm my fears.
For some reason, although much uncertainty exists currently, I am finding that these said insecurities are not transforming into the paralyzing fear they once did. Somehow, instead, I am able to maintain a calm mind, allowing me to make new, proactive choices. This of course, is due to my ability to surrender to the nature of impermanence; something that even a year ago, I wasn’t nearly as skilled at doing.
There is essentially nothing that remains the same in life. The only thing we can always count on is change. And any time we “think” we have found stable ground, we find that sooner or later, the ground begins to fall beneath our feet. Our relationships are guaranteed to change or end, as do our jobs, and our physical bodies. So it makes sense, that
If change is the one constant in life, that we find a way to make peace with it.
Embrace it. Surrender. This of course, is easier said than done. I do my best to remind myself that it’s okay to feel whatever discomfort I’m feeling in these times. My meditation practice is imperative. The spaciousness that arises in this state, offers me calmness and clarity… and sometimes, that’s enough. I breathe in and breathe out.
In the end, I notice myself seeking a “safe place to stand” less and less. Knowing that all external security is fleeting, I prefer to seek peace by surrendering to the impermanence of things, rather than the so-called “solid ground”, which of course, it’s only solid for so long.
And once we no longer require the ground to create our false sense of security, it is then, that we begin to feel we can more effortlessly float through the challenges that arise in life…. And oh, how lovely a feeling that is.
Nice insight.. Playing it safe for me has never led to any growth.. Although I continue to be attracted to the idea.. As it’s comfortable.. But in the end doesn’t offer the feeling of ‘being’ alive.. So like an adrenalin junky I push towards goals in light of all the perceived risk.. A lovely feeling indeed..
Comment by Dave — March 4, 2010 @ 7:39 pm
Hello Mam. You have wonderfully expressed the changes you are going through. Coincidentally I was just listening to “7 Spiritual Laws of Success” by Deepak Chopra, there I learnt about “Law of Detachment”. Only by living in uncertainty we can open doors what even we haven’t ever imagined, in this mystical zone magic starts to unfold. Uncertainty means anything and everything can happen. And you are absolutely right, these are easier said than done. Year ago when I completed my college and decided not to take a job or higher study, and devoted myself to learning and teaching of Personal Growth, I felt uncertain about my life. Actually my Parents thought I ruined my career and their year long effort. But today I am rising to my best self from that uncertainty.
Comment by Sourav Ghosh — March 6, 2010 @ 10:50 pm
That was 2009 in a nutshell for me–but I finally turned it around and said, I’m gonna swan-dive into the Universe. I still feel the fear of rent not being paid, etc but staying in the literal moment eases the pressure. It’s only in the now where I’m safe.
Comment by Raven — March 7, 2010 @ 9:16 am
Congras on your inner progress. Our personal life experiences, especially the not-so-good ones, never fail to teach us something. The great thing is we always have a choice to decide whether we emerge stronger through them, or we become more angry, fearful or weaker than before. Thanks for the inspiration.
Comment by The Conscious Life — March 7, 2010 @ 6:52 pm
It is great that your meditation is helping you with these periods of change. I believe that if some people cannot spare the time to meditate then they definitely need some release in their lives. If they keep all of the emotions and anger and other feelings that we pick up on a daily basis inside then the only outcome can be turmoil. Release buy your some nice lingerie, dress up in a costume of sorts, pace the floors, stamp your feet, close your eyes and hum, shout in a toilet when no-one’s around anything to just release tension and then relax again until the tension builds up again. Whatever you do just believe you can be calm and collected.
Comment by Costume Fantasy — March 8, 2010 @ 8:58 am
Forgot try to get your partner if you have one involved too so that you can both share this easing of stress together, unless of course it is your other half that is causing this stress.
Comment by Costume Fantasy — March 8, 2010 @ 9:00 am
It was beautiful. I was really touched with what you have written. Hoping to read more and more from you.
Comment by Pradeep — March 8, 2010 @ 9:32 am
A sense of internal peace stems from the satisfaction and contentment means acceptance is not to succumb to the inevitable
Comment by ahmed — March 9, 2010 @ 10:52 am