Growing Shadows & Flying Sparks

The shadows grow. The light grows dim. Within the darkness a single flame flickers. Follow it through the angst, the uncertainty. What is this light? It is you.

It is inevitable that the world darkens as we edge into the final weeks of the year. The days grow shorter. The shadows grow longer. (Okay inevitable in the northern hemisphere!) The shadows are not a creepy, dismal place no matter what you have been taught. No, they are a place of curious exploration. 

I can almost hear you say, “the shadows are a place of illusions cast.” Well, yeah. Illusions have a purpose, too! Within them are opportunities to find your truth, walk your path, to say to yourself, “Hey! Look at me.” In the looking become the you that you have been all along. 

Why do you journey into this place of illusions? To stretch those muscles of curiosity and courage. To learn a bit of what you thought was unknowable. In doing so, to gain clarity about what is hidden within the illusions. 

How do you journey into this place of illusions? Now that is the question! Begin by recognizing that the dark’s only illumination is your internal light. Let me say that a bit differently: your light is the only light that matters in the dark. Stop looking for an external beacon — that is part of the illusion that leads you, me, us astray.

Let’s return to the journey. Become quiet in whatever way works best for you. Settle in to the edge of the shadow. Turn within. Seek your flickering flame with all of your senses. Do not doubt that the flame is there. No matter how tiny a flicker, your guidepost is deep within your core. 

Having difficulties? Breathe in. Breathe out. Find your breath rhythm. Ask your breath to guide you. Ride your breath trusting that it will bring you to your internal flame. When you find your flame, because you will, blow gently upon it. Feel the flying sparks of courage, of curiosity, of mystery ignite your daring. With daring, walk into the shadow with your body/mind/spirit/heart. Explore the wondrous mystery. 

As you walk among the shadows, just notice. You don’t need a macro view. Whatever wishes to gain your attention will speak to you through any of your senses. Do not take what you sense at face value. Just notice. The shadows speak in symbols and signs — of mystery and magic. Allow your inner vision to reveal what you need. Tuck these gems of wisdom into your heart. Know that you can reflect upon them when the time is right.

When you feel that you have enough treasure to reflect upon, retreat from the shadows. Spend time journaling, arting, giving voice to the treasures. As you write, draw, create, you will instinctually separate the illusion from your truth. 

Once you hold the wisdom, ask yourself, what shall I do with my truth? Know that this “do” might be to hold it gently in the palm of your hand until it becomes a welcome, wondrous part of you. 

Wishing you a grand adventure within the shadows of your soul. 

Van Hurst, ms, is an intuitive-coach-catalyst. As a contemplative coach, she uses mindfulness practices and intuition tools to create strategies for navigating the mundane and extraordinary. The result of time with Van? Being the change you want to see in the world by creating a blueprint for your life through a deeper connection to your intuition and contemplative nature. 

Van is a professional speaker & author who weaves inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are available @ www.wildefyrpress.com. Her most recent book, As Natural As Breathing: Being Intuitive, is available on Amazon. Contact Vanessa for life coaching, intuitive consultations, keynotes, and programs.

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2022

Friction Burns On Your Soul

The more you hold on to what was, the slippery it becomes. In a surprising moment it will slide free of your clinging grasp. Detached, you plunge into change.

How many times have you held on to something long past the time it brought you peace and balance? This could be a job that no longer suited, a relationship grinding to a slow halt, or a situation that just doesn’t fit anymore. Instead of letting whatever go, you gripped more and more tightly. 

You might have found that the situation, the relationship, the job, whatever you clinged to got slipperier and slipperier until it eventually slid from your grip. As it slipped out of your life, perhaps you got a friction burn on your soul. I bet that it hurt more than you ever thought letting go would. 

Letting go is one of the toughest things that I have ever done. Perhaps you can say the same. I remember a relationship that I continued to contort myself to fit. Intuitively I knew that no matter how much of a pretzel I made myself into, my contortions would never be enough. My clinging behavior wasn’t healthy, but I couldn’t stop holding so tight. 

Eventually the relationship slipped from my grasp. And, yeah, I had friction burns along my soul. Those took a long time to heal. This experience is not one I’d like to have again any time soon.

In retrospect there were many signs that I had convinced myself that the frayed rope of that relationship was repairable. I was wrong. Only later did I realize that it wasn’t the relationship that I couldn’t let go of — it was the fantasy, the illusion that I had created about this “perfect” man I was lucky to spend the rest of my life with. 

I wonder how many things, people, or situations we cling to not because of what they are authentically but because of the fantasy or illusion we create about them. How many friction burns on our soul could we avoid if we were just honest with our self? Probably a lot.

So, what do you do? 

• Ask the tough question — “What am I clinging to?” 
• Listen to the answer. Name it. The naming can be a general statement or provide greater clarity about the situation. 
• Dig deeper into your clinging with the question “Why am I holding on?” Answering that why gets you closer to identifying the underlying fantasy, the illusion that wraps so tightly around you that your reasons for holding on are obscured. 
• Then ask, “What will my life look like when I let go and free fall into peace and balance?” Paint a picture with images, words — put your thoughts and emotions into it! 

This practice helps you gain perspective. Maybe you find a way to let go of what is fed by the fantasy, the illusion, while still being in the situation. With new perspective your grip loosens. Instead of being attached or detached, you become nonattached. Within the non-attachment, you find balance and peace.

Or, you realize it is time, without drama, without angst, to let go. You free fall into a new way of being. With the decision to be nonattached you create the path to a soft landing in a place of peace and balance. 

I’ve discovered that when I don’t let go, the plunge into change can be a slippery ride down the slope of illusion and fantasy. When I let go my free fall becomes a controlled glide into the new, a place of balance and peace. 

Life is about letting go of the fantasy, the illusion. It is about trusting that your free fall into change will be peaceful.  It is about your letting go, your choice.

 

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is an intuitive-coach-catalyst. As a contemplative coach, she uses mindfulness practices and intuition tools to create strategies for navigating those scary places. The result? Creating a blue print for your life through a deeper connection to your intuition. She is a professional speaker & author who weaves inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are available @ www.wildefyrpress.com. Her most recent book, As Natural As Breathing: Being Intuitive, is available on Amazon. Contact Vanessa for life coaching, intuitive consultations, keynotes, and programs.

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2021 /