Recently I am noticing a lot about ‘shadow’s – most notably my own, but also those of society. Shadows of the past, which seem to be coming up to be redressed and, in many instances, healed.
Otto Scharmer, The Presencing Institute states: “What I have learned from various conversations and reflections on our blind spots over the past weeks, is, that seeing our own shadow is not a problem that we need ‘to fix’. Seeing our shadow is a source of transformation that allows us to step into a new space of possibility.
That is certainly what happened for me.
Two weeks back, following a rather tumultuous learning about not being ‘bullied’ into making a decision – I had an intense dream. In the dream I was continually saying “NO”, but this was not being heard or listened to. This led me to actually ‘kill’ the being (shadow) who broke into my home to steal my property. I woke with such clarity about the dream, and as I awoke, the details in how it unfolded and the shifts in my physical being and my emotional being were profound. The shadow taught me how important it is to have courage to speak my truth, to stand for what I want and not be swayed by uncertainty and “ fear of missing out”.
It takes courage to see our shadow, to see how it plays out in our life and to say – ‘enough’! It takes even greater courage to take action.
I sense that this may be happening for many of us as we explore what is really important during this ‘reset’, brought on by COVID-19 and the ongoing shifts. Changes we are being asked to reconsider and embody which are happening at both a personal and societal level. It is certainly asking us to look at what our Truth is and how this is essential in achieving lasting Transformation.
In some ways, it is like getting kicked out of the nest, which is really an elemental part of life. Are we ready to let go of some part of our past which no longer serves us and needs to be left behind in order to make way for a more mature expression of our identity?
“The GAIA journey really is about deepening our connection to ourselves, to each other, and to the place we are living in — our mother Earth.” Otto Scharmer
I participated in the GAIA journey with Otto, and approximately 7000 persons around the globe for a 14 week period. The journey was both challenging and affirming, as we explored the elements of deep change in the “Exhale and Inhale” processes. This provided me with an opportunity to engage and share in a profound learning experience with the over-riding purpose to reimagine our journey forward – both personally and collectively. It deepened my awareness of self, the shifting of ego to eco focused – towards a more integrated way of being. This more integrated way of being is only possible if one acknowledges one’s shadow, is willing to own and reshape it – or let it go altogether.
It was superbly guided by Otto and his team (which consisted of 100 volunteers co-hosting events in seven different languages) and periodically joined by a remarkable lineup of special guests:Recently I am noticing a lot about ‘shadow’s – most notably my own, but also those of society. Shadows of the past, which seem to be coming up to be redressed and, in many instances, healed.
Otto Scharmer, The Presencing Institute states: “What I have learned from various conversations and reflections on our blind spots over the past weeks, is, that seeing our own shadow is not a problem that we need ‘to fix’. Seeing our shadow is a source of transformation that allows us to step into a new space of possibility.”
That is certainly what happened for me.
Two weeks back, following a rather tumultuous learning about not being ‘bullied’ into making a decision – I had an intense dream. In the dream I was continually saying “NO”, but this was not being heard or listened to. This led me to actually ‘kill’ the being (shadow) who broke into my home to steal my property. I woke with such clarity about the dream, and as I awoke, the details in how it unfolded and the shifts in my physical being and my emotional being were profound. The shadow taught me how important it is to have courage to speak my truth, to stand for what I want and not be swayed by uncertainty and “ fear of missing out”.
It takes courage to see our shadow, to see how it plays out in our life and to say – ‘enough’! It takes even greater courage to take action.
I sense that this may be happening for many of us as we explore what is really important during this ‘reset’, brought on by COVID-19 and the ongoing shifts. Changes we are being asked to reconsider and embody which are happening at both a personal and societal level. It is certainly asking us to look at what our Truth is and how this is essential in achieving lasting Transformation.
In some ways, it is like getting kicked out of the nest, which is really an elemental part of life. Are we ready to let go of some part of our past which no longer serves us and needs to be left behind in order to make way for a more mature expression of our identity?
“The GAIA journey really is about deepening our connection to ourselves, to each other, and to the place we are living in — our mother Earth” Otto Scharmer
I participated in the GAIA journey with Otto, and approximately 7000 persons around the globe for a 14 week period. The journey was both challenging and affirming, as we explored the elements of deep change in the “Exhale and Inhale” processes. This provided me with an opportunity to engage and share in a profound learning experience with the over-riding purpose to reimagine our journey forward – both personally and collectively. It deepened my awareness of self, the shifting of ego to eco focused – towards a more integrated way of being. This more integrated way of being is only possible if one acknowledges one’s shadow, is willing to own and reshape it – or let it go altogether.
It was superbly guided by Otto and his team (which consisted of 100 volunteers co-hosting events in seven different languages) and periodically joined by a remarkable lineup of special guests:from indigenous leaders in Australia, Brazil, and North America to global thought leaders and pioneers in the fields of awareness-based systems change.Those involved are people who are working at the forefront of reinventing organisations, shifting our economic and agricultural paradigms, addressing systemic racism and healing collective trauma! Phew!And – Everyone volunteered their time!
Amazingly, this initiative was put together in 2 weeks before launch. A wonderful safe holding space was created as we explored possibilities and connected deeply to our collective moment – which was initially COVID and through to Black Lives Matter. We experienced a deep resonance with people globally as well as ourselves, and real potential for change.
What was evident is the collective alignment within the global movement rising up across all world regions. There is a collective possibility – if we choose to step into it – to stand up for a deeper truth. As Dr Noel Nannup, an Aboriginal Nyoongar Elder from Western Australia shared with us: “All we need to do is to have a piece of the path to the future. And that’s ours. And we polish that and we hone that. And we place that in the pathway that we are building. As as we build that pathway it changes us as the builders of that path and it also shapes the destination that we are going to.”
• How can you find and cultivate your own piece in the context of the larger whole?
• What is ours to do and what is mine to do?
• How can I contribute to the pathway we are building together?
Shadow work is not easy, but then real transformation never is.
Acknowledging the past is important in order to guide us to a more equitable future. Noticing where our shadow may still be influencing our journey to Standing Tall in our truth, holding us back from stepping out, from owning “my piece that I am here to do”.
Answering these questions, as a leader (irrespective of context), as someone who wants to have a piece of the path to the future, requires us to have the courage to look at things from a different perspective – through different filters.
Look in the mirror at our collective shadow and ask:
What am I not seeing? (Where is my view distorted by a frozen mind?)
What am I not feeling? ( Where is my sensing distorted by a frozen heart?)
What action, grounded in this deep seeing and sensing, am I not co-initiating yet? (Where are my actions distorted by a frozen will?)
These questions if contemplated well, reflected on deeply, will help in honing and placing our own pieces in the pathway to the future. They are conversations needed for us as individuals first if we are to stand tall in our truth.
I would like to help you start those conversations.
A first step may be just to “come out of the nest” even though it is easier to stay in that familiar place of safety.
Let’s be bold to Stand Tall.
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