Inspired by: Shakti Gawain, “Creating True Prosperity”
There are an infinite number of polarities. Dualities are essential contrasting energies, the equal and opposites. Often we identify with one over another and create imbalance in our lives, creating conflict (or “shadow”) in the other. Shakti Gawain discusses several dualities relating them specifically to our ability to be prosperous. This is not a book review in the traditional sense; it is a collection of my own thoughts rolling around relating to duality, and how it manifests in my work.
Those who have experienced my bath ceremony may recognize these concepts at play in my sessions. I have often stated my belief that misunderstanding and inability to understand, recognize and to honor our core dualistic nature (our lack of balance and harmony) is the root of all that we perceive to be atrocious, even evil, in our world.
Active and Receptive (dynamic & magnetic, masculine & feminine) - This duality is creation. It is the sun and the moon, the earth and the sea, consciousness and the cosmos, birth and death. Everything that is, is a manifestation of this energetic duality. In more practical terms, as it applies to our lives – active energy makes things happen and allows us to achieve goals, the receptive allowing creates space for the higher power of the universe to bring more than could be imagined, this is potential.
I often refer to the active/receptive to prevent confusion that can happen with the “masculine/feminine” principle, which has nothing to do with gender as we understand it in the western world. My Bath Ceremonies and Relaxation Spa create focus on the receptive in order to balance the dynamic-active of day-to-day life. Mutual Exchange Sensual Healing sessions bring the two together – exploring being able to balance active energy in receptive space. My companionship sessions are more playful, malleable to whichever direction the energy moves within our time.
Doing and Being – To me these are extensions, flavors, of the active/receptive duality. Both are vital for our sense of balance and well-being. We often lose our ability to BE when we are focused on doing; and without Being, our doing loses any meaning.
Giving and Receiving – Again, a flavor of active/receptive duality. I encourage consciousness about what is happening here. There is often confusion about which space we are in. We make offerings that are actually requests, we falsely receive (i.e., “tolerate”) in order to give. It takes a great deal of awareness, skill and sensitivity to perceive and navigate where we are, what we need, what we have to offer, and to be able to be honest and clear in our communication. Confusion here commonly creates issues with our loved ones and our relations with others.
Structure & Flow – Flow is the natural spontaneous movement of energy, structure is the principle that creates order and boundaries. Aaaah, a great balancing act indeed! My work is all about flow… yet it is the structure that allows the flow. Without banks to contain and direct the water, the river loses its momentum and power. Knowing our ‘NO’ and trusting that boundaries are recognized and honored empowers our ‘Yes!’ In balance with structure and flow we are safe to explore the unknown…
“We can only have a truly prosperous life to the extent that our world is prosperous. And our world can only be truly prosperous when we learn to honor and respect the earth we live on, and all the other beings – human or otherwise – who live here as well… Since we are all ultimately part of one consciousness, the most effective way to do that is to take responsibility for our own healing. The more conscious and balanced we become, the more we live in integrity and follow our truth, the more healing we bring to the world.
– Shakti Gawain”
