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Modern Life or a Life of
Soul--
Can They
Co-exist?
by Joy Lynn Freeman D.C. Ph.D. (cand.) |
These are crazy times we live in—people expressing
their rage with no constraint, suicide rate among teens
has tripled, and we are moving at a faster and faster
pace but seemingly going no where, like a dog chasing it’s
tail. We have more modern conveniences than we could
have ever imagined a few years back, and more quality
products available in every category under the sun, but
still mental and physical illness is more rampant than
ever and inner peace seems to be far from a reality for
most. What is wrong with this picture?
One huge part of the problem lies in the fact that
our modern westernized culture, with it’s fast pace
and sometimes questionable values, is moving farther
away from a life that nurtures and feeds our soul
despite all the apparent improvements. In addition we
live in a day and age where unrealistic standards set by
media and the culture make it impossible to ever feel
completely satisfied with who we are, what we have, or
what we do. This constant barrage of internal and
external criticism results in a culture that values what
somebody else decides we "should" do or be,
rather than listening to the truth of our soul.
Consequently, on one extreme, a few express this
repression in violent acts, while most experience it
simply by never living a life of soul— where life
expresses who you are, including giving your natural
gifts to the world around you.
It is my contention that experiencing inner peace is
coincidental with a living a life of soul. Living a life
of soul is a combination of living in alliance with our
deepest values, which equates to the ability to speak
and act on our truth as well as integrating a good dose
of what feeds and nurtures our soul into our daily
lives.
We need to find a way to reconcile the way we so
often live due to cultural norms with what is true to
our heart and soul. With all the complex superhighways
taking us where we think we want to go in life, the
question to ask ourselves is, what is the simple path
that leads back to soul? It starts with learning ways
and tools to reconnect with the essence of ourselves
such that we are able to counterbalance the effects of
modern living.
I believe that we can in fact take advantage of all
the good things our times have to offer with out getting
sucked into the whirlwind. The path to this involves two
main things. First, by engaging in as many "soul
feeding" activities as possible—those things that
nurture our soul and that we do for the sheer enjoyment
of rather than for achieving a goal. Second, by learning
to hear and know the inner messages of our soul, acting
on them and ultimately expressing them. Thus we begin to
live in accordance with our natural rhythms and be who
we really are rather than what has been dictated to us
from without. Living in this kind of balance along with
regular participation in soul feeding activities
ultimately leads to greater health, inner peace and
feelings of fulfillment.
Examples of soul feeding activities are: walking,
hiking or connecting with nature; playing an instrument;
creating art; writing poetry, stories or thoughts;
participating in ritual; meditation practices; singing,
dancing, or drumming; creative cooking or baking;
certain sports depending on the attitude or motivation;
and the list is endless. Though there is great variation
in what one can do, there is a common theme. It is about
being fully present in the moment and letting go of
judgments and goals. Any of these activities lose some
of their soul feeding quality as soon as we add rigid
demands, unrealistic expectations or any other internal
pressure to perform, which sorry to say, is all too
common in our culture. The more we can allow the pure
expression of what is showing up in the moment, the more
these type of activities have the ability to feed and
nurture our soul.
Engaging in many of these soul feeding activities in
the manner I have described has been an inherent part of
indigenous cultures for centuries. It has only been in
more recent years and in westernized cultures that
expression of this nature has become a low priority or
designated for only the "talented few." Older
cultures recognized the value of these creative and
in-the-moment activities for channeling the stress of
day to day living, expressing ones deeper nature and for
bonding people together—in essence for connecting to
the "soul" of life.
The second aspect to creating a life of soul involves
having life be an expression of ones natural soul
qualities and inner urgings rather than following a
pre-determined formula. There are six foundational steps
to experiencing life in this way.
- Becoming Emotionally Literate
This involves being able to identify what you are
feeling, know how it feels in your body, and refrain
from discounting, ignoring or otherwise denying any of
these physical or emotional sensations. Part of becoming
emotionally literate is learning the fine art of surrender
and letting go of control. This open way of being
is essential for inviting more soul into your life as it
softens defenses, creates more ease, and allows for more
authenticity and intimacy.
- Knowing Your Personal Truth
As you learn to know what you are feeling and allow
those feelings without judgment, the communication
between your daily self and your deeper feelings, senses
and intuitions beings to improve. You begin to become
more clear about what works for you or what doesn’t,
who and what feels right to you ,or what you need to
steer clear of. In general you become in touch with your
needs and desires and learn not to judge or negate
them..
- Accepting and Love of Self
This step is about being able to accept all aspects
of yourself, even that which you may have previously
judged as unacceptable. It is about letting go of
idealistic standards picked up from upbringing or
society and forgiving yourself and others for things you
have judged as wrong. Learning to tame the inner critic
and engaging in self love practices are essential to
this step.
- Developing a Relationship of Trust with Self
The three steps listed above lead to this. Once your
inner being and deeper self feels safe that you will
honor its feelings, pay attention to it’s needs and
wants and make it a priority in your life, it begins to
trust that you, the daily self, will be there for it,
where perhaps no one else may ever have. This builds a
foundation of strength within yourself, which gives you
the courage to take the risks to express yourself or
make appropriate changes in your life.
- Expression of Truth to External World—Taking Risks
The previous steps have been about coming to know
your own truth, and gaining a positive and solid
relationship of trust within yourself. This step is
about expressing it to the world around you, which most
often involves taking a risk of one form or another.
This might mean expressing your truth to someone
regardless of how they may feel about it, setting
boundaries with others, engaging in an unfamiliar
creative act, or taking risks to do something new or
scary in the world.
- Life Reflects Back Truth of Who You Are—Living a
Life of Soul
As you engage in all the other steps listed above,
eventually you find that you attract people into your
life who appreciate you for being you rather than an
image you have to uphold; relationships are more open,
honest and intimate; you are doing work that is more
fulfilling; and you are making more time for soul
feeding activities. In addition the desire to creatively
express arises and you begin to engage in a creatively
activity that you may have dropped or never dared
attempt before. All this creates more passion, energy,
and enthusiasm for life.
To live a life of soul is to live a life of balance
which fosters our inner peace—where we have the time
to slow down; to pay attention to the simple things;
things of nature, of the moment, of the heart, of the
emotions. Where every place we think we must go, are but
places we choose to go, or choose not to go. Where the
process becomes more important than the goal. Where time
stands still because in the moment time does not exist.
To live a life of soul is to dance and sing in joyous
revere or to weep and moan in heartful grief. It is to
feel all of life with a great passion and fullness,
whether on the light side or the dark, and to bear it
all with a sense of equanimity, compassion and heart. It
is about living a life that expresses who you truly are
rather than who you think you should be.
This life of soul is available to all whether rich or
poor, white, red, yellow or black, wise or simple. Yes,
even in this day and age of "having it all",
it is possible to let go of some of all that we have and
go for the more sacred, the simple, or that which
embodies the heart and the soul of life. It is possible
to express our truths and live life as an expression of
our soul promptings. It is only for us to decide it is
important and take the necessary steps.
© Joy Freeman. 2000.
To learn more about how to
actualize the steps spelled out in this article read Joy’s
book Express Yourself: Discover Your
Inner Truth, Creative Self and the Courage to Let It Out
and listen to her music CD Let It Shine.
For more info go to www.SoundStarProductions.com.
Joy Lynn Freeman, D.C., Ph.D. (cand.), has been a pioneer in the healing arts for over twenty two years, as a physician,
speaker-facilitator, expressive arts therapist, and life transition coach. She has lectured and offered workshops and retreats
nationwide and is a frequent guest on radio shows. Joy is the author of the book,
Express Yourself: Discover Your Inner Truth, Creative Self and The Courage To Let It
Out, a companion music CD Let It Shine, a series of five yoga videos and
a creator of Quantum Shift Retreats—transformational retreats incorporating expressive arts, psycho-therapeutic process,
ritual & nature. She also expresses her creativity as a singer, dancer, and musician.
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