Control Or Release?
This is so often the question, isn't it? Which is more powerful - to be in control of a situation or to release control of that situation? It seems obvious that the "right" answer is to release control. Most of us have or are dealing with our control issues, especially during this time of upheaval in our country and our world. At least it is easier to talk about with friends and loved ones than it was in the past.
In the path of enlightened awareness, the motivation comes from a deep place within. Intellectually, I am very clear that control simply doesn't work even though it may appear to in the short term. Self-control is most useful in creating a healthier flow of life, especially until I grow up in some specific area of my life. Once my awareness level catches up with the heart desire to change a behavior, there is little or no need to exercise self-control because I am able to flow with that desire in a very natural way.
As with many healing insights, I begin to have a breakthrough when I recognize that the nature of what I am looking at is yet another one of the paradoxes of this human life experience. Power appears to come through the ability to be in the position of control which often manifests in arrogance. In spite of this, I find the most powerful leaders are those who come from a place of humility and deep respect for themselves and others. They know they have the final say but they are willing to listen and learn. In return, those who interact with them trust their right to lead and their ultimate decisions.
How does this manifest in one's personal life? I don't have time to write a book this morning so I'll simply offer a few thoughts. Control manifests in so many ways it boggles the mind. It can be outright, arrogant, and demanding or it can be subtle, deceptive, and manipulative. None of these things lead to true and lasting relationships. None of these things nurture a person's soul or result in a loving and compassionate expression of self. These things can create a false sense of security in this wild and wooly world. I get it. However, I do not resonate with it. It took me a long while but I have come to see that trying to control myself or other people or circumstances stops the flow of creative energy in my life. For me, release has proved to be more powerful than any other approach.
Yoga and meditation are my primary tools to develop the ability to release into the flow of my life. How do you respond when you have shared a struggle you are having with someone and they say, "You just have to let that go." Really? Like I can do that when the pain is up and my emotions are screaming to be heard. Yeah, I'll just let that go and move on. Isn't that called stuffing your emotions? When I tried that behavior on, it affected my physical health on a frightening level. In yoga I have learned to release into my body by feeling it resist, breathing into those muscles or joints and inviting them to release into my breath. It works. Then I learned the same techniques work with emotions and mental gymnastics. I must make a space for those emotions and those meandering thoughts. I must be with them long enough to breathe into them and then invite them to release into my breath. In allowing them to exist with awareness, I allow them to fulfill their purpose and dissipate.
This is not always a comfortable process but my yoga practice isn't always comfortable either. I still do it because I have learned that the end result is well worth the discomfort. My emotional practice isn't always comfortable but the end result is so freeing, so comforting and self-nurturing that I embrace it fully. The more faithful I am with this practice, the more quickly and easily I move through to its rewards.
Release brings me into the natural flow of life which is much more fun and relaxing.
Are you ready to learn how to surrender control to Divine Love?
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