Life is filled with the unknown. Whether it’s a presidential election, a storm prediction, a doctor’s appointment or the stock market.
In fact, life essentially is uncertainty in action.
Think about it.
Whenever you try something new – a dance class, a restaurant, lunch with a new friend, a job opportunity – there’s risk. Simply because it is new, unknown or uncertain.
So, how do we, as students of spirituality learn to embrace that which is unknown and not fall into fear?
Especially when that fear is palpable and permeates everything.
This is one of the major challenges we face, walking into uncertainty or fear without leaving us cold hearted, apathetic or checked out.
Here are 4 ways to help you.
1. Live In The World But Not of The World
My teacher, Ma Jaya used to say this all the time.
But what does it mean?
I define it as being an active participant in the world, showing up to make a difference, willingly and voluntarily. And working at not having any expectations.
It’s also the recognition that we are here in a body, in this time and space, but it isn’t all there is.
There is a vast reality far larger than we can even imagine – Source, God, One-Ness, Brahmin, Dreaming…
Remembering that this earthly plain is not all there is helps create energetic distance so you don’t get sucked into the drama, the chaos of this world that circles all the time.
Instead, be in the world as a speaker of truth, a messenger of love and choose not to get pulled into the craziness that is ever present.
I often think of the novelist Tom Robbins. In his book, Even Cowgirls Get The Blues, he wrote, “and the world situation is, desperate as usual.”
I read this when I was in my early 20s and it stopped my daily news addiction. Unfortunately, it seems even more appropriate today!
2. Choose Love
We always have a choice to stay in the vibration of love or come from a place of fear.
What will you choose?
I recently read about a church in Indiana that was defaced with graffiti that said, “Heil Trump” and another of a tilted swastika. Instead of immediately painting over it, the minister opted to leave it.
As she said, “we believe that symbols are what you make of them. And if we decide to look at these symbols as hate and be angry and frustrated, we’re focusing on the wrong issue. And so we’ve decided to leave them up as symbols of hope, whereas if anybody in the surrounding area — or even country — sees these and knows that we were targeted because we’re inclusive and they need a safe space, then they know that Saint David’s is a safe space.”
Clearly Rev. Kelsey Hutto is choosing love.
3. Nothing Real Can Be Threatened
This is a line from the Introduction to A Course In Miracles. The whole text reads, "Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God."
I find this line especially helpful when I have fallen into fear.
When we experience fear, it’s always coming from our ego selves, the place where we feel separate and alone.
In those instances, I will often repeat this line over and over to myself like a mantra. It brings me back to what I know, that I am safe, that the world is protected and everything else is unreal.
As ACIM reminds us, there is only love or a call for love.
When we are in fear, our soul/God/Source/One-ness is giving us a call for love, to remember who we truly are, that we are not our egos, not the fear, that we are a part of God and love.
4. Do Your Spiritual Work – Strengthen Your Inner Compass
The best way to stay in a higher vibration is to have a daily practice.
What is yours?
Prayer, meditation, yoga, ecstatic dance?
It is imperative to take some time each day to connect in to God/Source/Love. Fill yourself back up, recline in the infinite bliss that is your refuge and sanctuary.
Make time everyday.
This is THE most important time of your day. Do this for your inner growth, your sanity and your ability to show up exactly how you want to – with love, compassion and light.
It is always in times of darkness when the light is needed the most.
Be that beacon and shine bright.