Between the paradoxes

Last week I discussed the provisional interpretation and this week I want to expand on how these provisional interpretations are created. They are negative in one sense that they do not have a holistic view with the best view for the individual, in their personal growth, happiness and healthy relationships. But when we understand these erroneous conceptions, then we can transform them from a seemingly negative event or aspect in our beings, into a great sense of self, compassion and understanding.

We live between seeming paradoxes; this is the nature of the dualistic world. We live in the midst of ideas and reality that at one time seem to true and in the next instant seem to be a lie.These mysterious paradoxes present puzzling circumstances to navigate through. Perhaps the greatest paradox that we live between life and death. Life is the positive and death we see as the negative, as the not-being, the illusion. But one cannot be without the other. Life does not negate death, nor does death negate life. Somehow we have to accept both and live suspended fully in life as if death does not exist. It is a complicated matter and one which language can hardly describe.

Another paradox which I encounter in my counselling the duality of love and betrayal. These seem like two poles or opposites, but in fact they exist together. When we remember love, sometimes we fall immediately into memories of how that love whether in small ways, or great ways was betrayed. Love will always be betrayed in some way, and betrayal cannot be without love first. We have a choice of holding the memories of the betrayal as true and become embittered, hateful, spiteful people who will not allow anyone close to us again in case we get hurt again. Or we can turn away from the hurt of betrayal and forgive, understand and release. In releasing the negative provisional interpretation, then we release all sense of reality that the betrayal can have over us and see the larger view. The hurt can always be healed and it can always be used towards self-growth, compassion for others and to become closer to the god self within and without.

Other paradoxes will be explored next week.

Try This!

11.       Think of a time that you really, really loved someone. Probably in the same breath you can think of a time that person betrayed your love and trust in some way. Perhaps it was small enough that the relationship was repaired. Or perhaps it was too great and the relationship was broken.

2.       In either case, with the next breath return to the first memory, the one of love, happiness, fulfillment, rightness of being. Try to remember this memory with as much sensory detail as possible-scents, sounds, feel.

3.       Now let that love spread throughout your body, especially into any places that you hold stress and anxiety. Visualize this as a soft light that burns out any dark areas or stress you are holding in your mind or body. Feel yourself as a loved being, dear to all and held gently with care and infinite affection.

4.       Now for the space of one breath, go to a negative memory, when this or other love was betrayed. Feel it, sense it, see it, as if your were there back in that moment, but only for an instant.

5.       Now step back from the paradox which you have identified in your life. Can you hold both simultaneously? Each was necessary, for growth, greater love and to enhance the god self within and in the world. Can you see that, if only for an instant? This is the bold and courageous work of integration.