I became aware of a heaviness within – a slowing up – upon hearing the news that came from our government yesterday that blocked the free vote on marriage equality. I recognized it as the feeling I get whenever I become conscious of a choice made from fear and fuelled with the dynamics of power and control and the resulting feeling of powerlessness.
Ultimately I am aware also that this too must be seen as an opportunity to remind myself, those around me and whom I work with, that there is a bigger picture playing itself out and not to get lost in the emotions of disappointment and anger towards Tony Abbott and his allies. We are part of a flawed system and as such it makes no sense to give it so much energy. What appears to be happening is always what happens when ego goes into battle with ego- it’s why wars happen and why so many of the choices that our current government are making, seem crazy and downright dangerous. Ego always wants to be right and so there’s never a winner.
It’s a tough call to make here, but essential if we are to rise in our consciousness and not fall prey to adding to this war. At times like this we must dig deep and do the work that’s required to find the space of love within. To realize that to hate and blame and judge Tony Abbott will only increase the stalemate situations we find ourselves in. To see beyond the external and personal wrapping he comes in and observe instead the role he is playing for us all. To stop looking for him and his supporters to change and to stop acting from fear and instead ruthlessly do that in each of our own lives and in our own ways. Tony Abbott (and others in our recent history such as George Bush, Francisco Franco and Benito Mussolini) and the way he is governing is a reflection of what we collectively are UNconsciously choosing.
If we were to each stop and ask ourselves some of the harder questions from a place of personal responsibility;
– For what purpose am I being served by having a leader in power who is behaving this way ?…Is it because I don’t believe I have the power myself and therefore must “outsource” it to others?
-How is it I am contributing to what is happening, even if I didn’t personally vote for the coalition government?…am I not speaking up about what is true for me?
and most importantly, if I can take my attention away from playing the blame game with the government, where can I focus my attention that will shift this current experience?
There is another theme I notice with these people in power, the time where they appear to be at their most powerful is simultaneously the time where they are most disapproved of publicly. In their outrageous display of censorship and misuse of power, unwittingly the lose their true power by ignoring the opportunity to dialogue, conciliate and negotiate and truly represent the collective. What is that all about?
Perhaps the emotions that are stirred up by people who push our buttons in this way are there as fuel. Fuel to step up and out of complacency. By them acting exactly the way they do, in fact creates an opening, a calling if you like for the new leader of love to stand out. In fact we can see it already in some of the reportage today, messages of love and support from people who are also in positions of power and influence politically. Taking action from love is imperative but also it’s critical to remember that everything which is occurring and has occurred up until now is contributing to the impending tipping point in our global political structure….and THAT’S the exciting part!
The passage from fear to love can feel incredibly arduous and long and often filled with seeming potholes and disappointments but along that pathway we expand and learn so much about ourselves and each other. But getting caught up in the story and allowing it to decide how you feel is not a road to peace of mind. When the stuff going on around you is crazy and desperately trying to rob you of your happiness, its a time to go to work! Relentless practice to focus your attention and bring yourself back into the here and now of your life, being present to what is in the moment and following the inspiration there because it’s that inspiration that gets lost when the thoughts get loud. It’s up to you to remember to choose how you are feeling and find that unshakeable place amongst the noise.
Picture Credit:(https://www.flickr.com/photos/qthomasbower/)