Week 27. Courage.

Whereever there is fear, there is courage.

Contemplate it for a while, for it is a very powerful statement that this mandala is making.

Fear is not trying to keep us from what we are, what we love, it is guiding us there. It is showing us the way, directly and sometimes very ruthlessly, but once we see that fear always works together with it's twin - courage - we begin to understand that fear is on our side. It is a subordinate of the heart. A teacher that gives straight answers once we learn the language it speaks.

Fear will show you the way to yourself, courage will help you walk it. And as twins, fear and courage always show up in equal measure. Trying to avoid one, you'll avoid the other as well. Look the other directly in the eye, and the other is there as well.

 Week 27. Bite your own apple, befriend the snake. 

Learn to know yourself as a woman, as a man, as a child. 

Come to love yourself as a woman, as a man, as a child. 

That is the most courageous act a human being can ever do.

Week 10. Power.

"Fight not, and you can not lose."

Paradoxically, all power struggles originate from fear of power. "Power over", an often desired state by a human (whether connected to other beings, nature, one's own feelings, thoughts or desires), is ultimately equal to "fear of". Fear of what? Abandonment, rejection, shame, worthlessness - separation from others.

These few weeks I've become quite aware of the many battle fields (both internal and external) on which I've fought for ages, and all over my body I have heard the call from the heart to move on from the wearing need to win or fear of losing. To stop fighting these battles that lead nowhere and take up way too much energy. To try a different approach - an open heart.

The power in love is amazing. When the heart gets a crack or even breaks completely, don't hurry to fix it or armor the pain. Because slowly, through the cracks true love starts flowing. It flows through abandonment, rejection, feelings of shame, anger and worthlessness and fills everything, washing away the idea of power, replacing it with power.

Love doesn't fight, battle, struggle. Instead, given the chance, it softly penetrates everything far more effectively than any sword of truth ever could. Not by force, but with respect, patiently waiting to be let through. Through you, not others. That's true power.

 

  In love is respect for oneself and others, 

the choices we all make on our individual 

paths.

Choosing love is stepping out of 

the battle. Gone is the fear of separation.