I remember when I first heard this concept: Chaos precedes and follows all real change.
It made sense to me, on a certain level. I thought about the big changes I had made in my life. Selling a home and moving. Entering a new relationship or ending one. Changing careers. Each time there was a period of tumult to arrive at a decision to make change, and then a chaotic period of adjustment. And though my logical mind can understand why chaos is necessary, it still feels scary. Depending on the size of the change, the chaos can range from mild feelings of doubt and uncertainty to the quaking terror of a complete loss of identity.
The world is now in the process of fundamental change. We see evidence of the chaos that must accompany the powerful evolutionary shift of consciousness happening on our planet. There is widespread uncertainty, as old structures crumble and old strategies fail. The seduction to fear is strong, leading many into states of powerlessness.
We cannot begin to comprehend the magnitude of this change. On an individual level, it requires us to set down old images, habits and patterns of the past. It calls us to dream and vision a future that is filled with light and love, a future of conscious, loving humanity that has never been experienced before. We must stretch our imaginations to dream it, and yet be open to the possibility that it will far surpass anything we can currently imagine. And then we must hope. We must allow ourselves to trust the process of our evolution and believe that the future can be beautiful, and then genuinely expect that it will be.
It seems radical to step away from fear and engage hope and trust as the world appears to crumble. You might call it a leap of faith, but it does not have to be blind faith. The more we understand the metaphysical underpinnings of the change process, the better we are able to face this challenge with genuine courage. It will still be scary, but we can rise to meet it.
As directors of Lucid Living, Jeanine and I are constantly exploring the mechanics of change. We are finding our way through the changes in our own lives and developing maps we can use for ourselves and offer to our students. We feel like pioneers in an uncharted landscape. Some days we are awed by our discoveries. Other days we plop down in the middle of our trail and just laugh, or stand as a supportive witness for each other when we cry.
It brings us back to the foundation of Lucid Living: Spiritual awakening is an emotional process. As we allow an uninhibited flow of emotion, the journey can be an adventure and we can find our way. We can honor our fear by fully experiencing it, but then choose to stand in hope. To consciously generate states of happiness, trust, gratitude and excitement about a virgin future of luminous possibilities. We can be the visionaries of a new age.
One-Day Workshop
Last month, in response to the growing chaos, we decided to craft a new workshop to offer new perspectives and practical tools for monumental change. It is the first time in our ten year history that we are offering a one-day workshop, and it is available to anyone.
Chaos, Courage and Change will be offered in Northern California on February 18th, 2010. The room will be filled with people who are new to Lucid Living as well as long-time graduates of our programs. It will be an opportunity to explore the big picture of global change, to engage new perspectives and take a very personal look at the force of change in your life. It will also be a time to connect to the presence of your Soul and lean in to its wisdom and power, to let it show you a way through the chaos far more effective than your ego’s attempts to control.
At the time of this posting, there are just a few spaces left in the February 18 workshop. We plan to offer it again in Atlanta and Minneapolis later this year. We look forward to a potent and magical day with all of you who will be there.
For those who cannot, we encourage you to move through your resistance, encounter your fear and experience it. Separate the experience of the fear from your stories about it. Find the wellspring of peace on the other side of fear, where you are one with all that is Divine and you are safe. Then consciously turn up the light of hope and trust. Be courageous and confident. Connect to your positive future and let yourself dream. Invite your Soul to guide you and practice surrender.
Chaos is just one component of this powerful year ahead. Learning to navigate chaos and engage your courage can open up extraordinary possibilities of positive change. Enjoy the adventure!