Just a quick observation, (which will probably turn into a long one...) One of the themes of this week has been our relationship to giving. How do we give? How freely and unconditionally do we give?
I haven't formulated any of this - it's just a spontaneous first draft as it occurs to me...
We're working from the premise that as we give unconditionally in a spirit of abundance, so we receive unconditionally in a spirit of abundance. Yet one of the things that has been coming up this week is the report from several participants that they feel that they do give freely, but at the same time, they feel that they give too much. How can this be? How can we possibly give too much and yet still be giving freely and without condition. One of the things that emerged was that in giving 'freely' of one's time (in particular) there was actually a previously unacknowledged element of guilt associated to the giving, guilt that it would be bad or wrong not to help another person in need. This seemed to address a major part of the issue but it bugged me that there was something else here that was really important to do with what is natural about giving and receiving.
It really became clear in a coaching session earlier today that in giving too much we may be forgetting to connect to the breath of abundance that supports us. As we breathe in, we receive - we take into ourselves that which sustains and nurtures us. As we breathe out, we give, as we express ourselves through the outbreath, we give away that which we have drawn to us and been blessed with by the simple virtue of us being alive. But, obviously we can't be breathing out all the time! There is a point that our body knows is the time to take a breath in, and when that signal is adhered to, all is well. We breathe, taking in abundant life giving oxygen from the source of our being, filling us up with energy that we can then authentically give out. As we explored last week, we need to connect to our own authentic rhythm and that rhythm is guided by the fundamental requirement to breathe. Learning to live in abundance is, in a very important sense, about learning to breathe properly. There is a clearly a consistent breathing rhythm to our individual in and out breath. There is also a breathing rhythm to the in and out breath in every energetic exchange with another, in each conversation we have. There is an in and out breathing rhythm of the sun as it lights the day and darkens the night. There is a breathing in and out rhythm to the seasons of the year. There is a breathing in and out rhythm to our life as a whole. If we are in harmony with those rhythms, we may live in abundance and all manner of miracles may be bestowed upon. If there is imbalance in our breathing rhythms, we fall sick, we become afflicted by fear and the belief in lack, whether it is lack of oxygen, lack of money, lack of love or whatever.
Let us be clear here, there is no more virtue in breathing out (giving) too much than there is in breathing in (taking) too much. Our perjorative culture suggests the former is good and the latter is bad, but this is twisted thinking. when there is balance in our breathing, when there is balance in our giving and receiving, we may live in abundant health and abundant wealth. So why don't we just drop this holier-than-thou attitude that giving is 'better' than receiving. Giving is receiving and receiving is giving. One cannot exist without the other, lest we fall sick, poor and ridden with guilt, resentment and fear. Give with joy. Receive with joy. Follow your bliss, as does the child. Surely there is no higher service to humanity.
I welcome your thoughts.
love John x
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