Embracing the unknown - Cycles of evolution
- Olivia Power Ryan
- Apr 11, 2022
- 6 min read
Entering the full expanse of possibility
There are times in our lives where Life comes knocking on our door to shake things up. She does this when we have become complacent or forgotten to listen to follow our inner guidance. It all begins with an inkling, a sensing, a feeling that something is not quite right, the discomfort gently arises in the spaces we normally can relax. This feeling gets our attention and slowly starts to unravel at a pace manageable to the receiver, so it can speak its message in a whisper but when we do not know how to discern or trust this whisper we often find ourselves in states of ignorance, or denial. It doesn't take long for Life to shake things up even more to get us to look and realise, we have gone off track and need to find our path again.
As humans, and as any living thing on this planet we are innately woven with Nature. This means we naturally move through cycles and seasons, from aging to inner evolution. The more we resist this, the more we literally resist life, our evolution and growth,, and instead enter into a state of stagnation ultimately in a state of decline.
Life guides us through difficulty and at times discomfort to show us where we have veered off track, so that we stop trampling and forcing down the one we are on, and instead are brought to a state to pause and look around, to check in with ourselves, our direction and destination.
Oftentimes we have known this track was not the right path or simply not the right time, sometimes all we need is to learn a lesson to be able to return to it - these details are not for us to figure out, Life does that for us as soon as we release our grip for control to embrace and embark on our journey of the unknown. There may be a time where these two paths merge again in the future, but for now you must grieve and release to be able to enter the flow of where you know deep down Life is guiding you to go. We must enter a state of surrender and deep listening to receive the guidance of our next steps. All that we need to do is sink into the wisdom of the knowing body and follow the step to step subtle guidance of the gut and Heart.
At first we cannot see as we are now so attached to the path we have been walking for some time. Connecting to our instinctive senses, we at first feel blind, but in time as we learn to navigate and trust the process of the grey areas, the in-between, we allow space for the death running through us, the denials - we let go.
You are not dying, you are being rebirthed and reborn through the very essence of Life and Nature. All uplevels require a death of identity of the egoic self, the false layers we wore for acceptance and safety. Life offers us portals and rites of passage to shed the debris, so that we can evolve and reemerge a truer version of ourselves.
When we have eventually detoxed to a point to find our centre, shedding the layers of the false selves we've acquired through experience and time, we find ourselves again, where we have remained beneath the noise of intoxication of external sources, beneath it all you lay and wait for the seemingly impossible reconnection...
We find peace again and begin to re-emerge from the inside out this time, anchored to our instinct and intuition, deeply connected and in trust with ourselves and the wise cycle of Life. In this space Life offers us to reap the rewards, and we enter our state of flow once again.
Natures teachings on evolution and the seasons of our lives
Seasons being our transitional periods in life that can come about through slow change and aging, or at times through a sudden shock.
If you are in a time of discomfort and pain, please know the light and vital shoots of Spring will return within you with even more potency than you've experienced before once you lean into this process of death/rebirth. The sooner you allow for the decay and transformation of what has been to occur, the sooner you'll compost and allow for the fertile soil of your most true version of self to re-emerge. Trust is also a necessary marker to move through the cyclical (r)evoluntionary process, as is for any process of up-leveling, development or rising to meet one's path. It requires us to draw up our innate strength and bravery, akin to the roots of a tree. Know that the rewards when applied are limitless in expanse as when we enter the evolutionary cycle of life, we learn to find deep connection with the unchanging within as well as to enter a state of deep flow and abundance as opposed to the scarcity mindset of staying stagnant, staying the same.
the grieving
SAMHAIN state - the descent, the decay, the death, the labour.
Samhain, a word and time becoming increasingly known. Samhain is the time of death and release in Celtic wisdom where an Cailleach greets you and shakes things up so that you will finally listen! and reconnect with your true path. Samhain is also the Irish word for Winter.
Teachings: Trust, course correction, let go to the greater plan at work.
Know that the more we lie back into the flow Life has a way of guiding us to exactly where we wanted to go, only this time we are required to be completely passive not numbing but in a state of surrender, and deep connection.
This time is akin to a storm ravaging its way through you, stripping away the fragile, the already dead and hollow layers without life leaving only the core, the centre, the true. This can and probably will feel as though you are exposed and wounded at first, but as you gently settle you will feel the exuberance and rekindled vitality reemerge from yourself - see spring section.
Practices: Any self-soothing practice that will allow you to feel and release, think walks barefoot in Nature, baths with lots of salts, softness and gentleness to allow your body and heart surrender and release.
the healing
WINTER state - surrender, connection, digestion and integration.
A time to slow, be still and integrate what has been. To truly feel your feelings to the point that you are ready to distil and move on.
Teachings: Receptivity creates magic, the less we grasp the more we realise we already are.
Practices: Rest. Stillness. Silence. What is left when the noise is drowned out? You purest form and essence.
moving forward
SPRING state - curiosity, rising energy, rebirth and renewal.
Vitality begins to surge once again and you feel the layers that gave you comfort in the time of winter are now weighing you down. You take them off and re-emerge, with this deeper sense of self and awareness renewed you move forward curious and more aware.
Teachings:
Practices: Sacred sensuality, creative practice, socialising, trying new things.
embodiment and expansion
SUMMER state - full power, creativity, expansion and expression.
The time of expansion where your confidence has been rebuilt, you're ready to engage with life fully, open and expressive.
Teachings: Celebrate YOU, the full spectrum of you and let them be seen!
Practices: Celebration, festivities, outward, social,
Cyclical living allows us to breed balance, in our world that is often based on a linear reality and upholds summer states such as production, we lose the insight gained from times of introspection and necessary healing. We can see the result of this in our world that struggles with relating, deep listening and feedback. The more we allow for each of these phases as well as their in between times, the more we can get comfortable in the unknown while connecting wit the anchor within of the self. This means that when something detrimental happens in our lives we are able to deal with it, as we know, spring will return and so will we.
This space of evolution and working with instead of against the cycles allows for us to evolve to higher states and to ultimately live our potential.
Comment below on beautiful outcomes you have experienced from surrendering to the unknown, so that you can offer others support on their journey too <3
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