Shelter from the Storm

Seeking shelter from the storm and feeling lost and alone continues to be powerful themes for a great many souls as we try to navigate the winds of change and find relief from the feelings of disconnection and isolation as we venture ever deeper within and open up to the beauty and wisdom that resides there.

As we consciously open up to connecting more deeply with the Whole, feelings of disconnection and discombobulation increase as we let go of the familiar and step into unchartered terrain. Despite opening up our hearts, minds and souls to the vast and magnificent universe, it can be hard when we still feel hollow and empty inside. When we turn from left to right, right to left seeking guidance, support and companionship on our spiritual quests, it can feel overwhelming when we find no one standing there; watching and waiting with hand outstretched and a warm smile illuminating the grey skies. Although intuitively we know that we are never truly alone, we still seek comfort and reassurance as we walk forwards, and we want to know that there are others who walk the same path. 

Yet the storm from which we seek shelter is not battering down our defences, the storm is a reflection of the turmoil within as we begin to willingly dismantle our own defences and stand naked, bare and vulnerable underneath the spectacular panorama of the billion stars above us and the infinity of life, both within and around us. When we let go and open up to Truth, we realise that the defences that have long kept us safe and sheltered have been the very things that have prevented us from fully awakening. Therefore, although we intuitively want to seek shelter from the storm, in order to advance, we need to face the storm head-on and become One with it. We need to let go of fear and become allies with the raging winds, howling rain and blackened skies as these represent us stepping from living conditionally and unconsciously towards living unconditionally and consciously.

How do we ‘let go’ when the storm is raging and we feel so isolated and alone? How can we feel reassured that despite knowing that we are moving in the right direction, the winds are still creating havoc and the cloaks we are wearing do little to keep out the cold and rain? Such questions twist and turn in the recesses within and yet, intuitively it still feels right to carry on, to keep on facing the storm and to let those inner defences and turrets down.

Many of us have, over time, built castles and fortresses within to stay safe, but now we have to choose whether or not to stay hidden in those castles or to remove the walls, brick by brick until we have fully let go. We are in a kind of ‘in between’ stage, where the storm is still raging and the castles are still present, and yet, we no longer find shelter from the storms within in our carefully built castles and fortresses as they no longer make sense to our deeper need to stand free.

During the still moments, when we inhale a full breath of air, we see beyond the storm and those inner defences. In the distance we can see a light coming on, then off, on, then off and realise that this is the lighthouse of the soul leading us home. In many ways, the lighthouse is another form of defence, but we do not find ourselves hidden within its walls but standing on the shoreline with waves pounding the rocks and the light shining brightly illuminating the way. The light shines brighter when we are beyond the fortified walls, as it is our soul’s way of guiding us home.

It can be hard to open up to the full equilibrium of life; day and night, pain and love are but two examples of the pendulum that continually swings back and forth with each passing moment. Life is not static, it was never meant to be, but when the storm rages with such ferocity it takes our breath away, it can be hard not to seek out retreat. For those of us moving through the layers of consciousness, it is hard not to touch spiritual depression as it represents an awareness that so much of what we once held dear no longer brings us the comfort that it once did.

Of course, it is only natural to want to find shelter, but intuitively we know that we have not come this far only to retreat once again. The going is tough but the light is breaking through like the rays of the sun creeping over the hills in a new dawn; the process feels slow and arduous at times, but when we re-centre, we realise that we are making progress; we can then bathe in the light of the new dawn with a sense of inner satisfaction that we are nearing home.

Home in this context is unique to the individual; after all, we all have our own Truth and our own spiritual awareness. Even though we may still feel isolated and alone as shift upon shift seeps into our psyches, intuitively we know that the only way to seek solace is to ride the waves until we reach that point of stillness where everything slots into perfect alignment once again. No one said that spiritual awakening would be easy, but, as human beings, the relentless pounding of the energetic and spiritual storm has taken its toll. We need respite, reassurance and reconnection.

The more we open up to the light within and to realising that we are the ones dismantling those castles and fortresses, then we shift from disempowered and confused to re-empowered and a little less confused. Okay, so we might want crystal-clear clarity, but we have to have faith and trust that this will come in time, for now, we need to reclaim equilibrium as best as we can and give ourselves a break from constantly trying to push ahead to get to where we think we need to be.

The storm might feel chaotic and full of turmoil but it is also cleansing, healing and renewing; feel the vibration change and this will begin the shift from isolation to re-connection as we no longer seek shelter from the storm but we find joy by opening up to its power and energy in order to be cleansed and set free...

Lost and Alone

Many of those walking the path towards self-awareness and self-knowing are feeling increasingly isolated and alone. It can sometimes be hard to gain a sense of Self or a sense of knowing when the world is spinning, shifting and changing so intensely, yet, at the same time, intuitively we know that through this chaos, clarity comes.

Depression is usually associated with the emotions: sometimes a chemical imbalance in the body and sometimes a reactive response to life challenges. Some feel so much that they feel like they have no filters and feel overwhelmed as a result, but others feel nothing at all; a kind of emptiness and hollowness inside. Yet, there is another kind of depression, and this is so frequently overlooked: it is connected to the spiritual and it comes in all shapes and sizes, tending to result from an overwhelming sense of disconnection from the Whole. It comes from the desire to find meaning or belonging, but simply feeling more lost or alone than ever. 

In our quest to find meaning, purpose and a sense of belonging in life, it seems inevitable that we will walk down some long, arduous and painful long dark nights of the soul. Of course, intuitively we understand this, but when we find ourselves in such a place it is hard not to feel alone, isolated and disconnected. We look around to others for understanding and compassion, but we often only find sleepwalkers and those content to amble through life without ever really lifting up their heads to even contemplate, let alone seek out, more meaning to life. 

As a result, it is easy to understand why so many seeking spiritual union find themselves feeling so alone; although we intrinsically know that the union we seek is with God, it is inherently human to want to walk such a path with others. When we struggle to find truly like-minded souls, we can feel isolated and begin to question ourselves and our lives on an even deeper level, leaving us feeling tied up in knots rather than bathing in the bliss that we know is possible. 

Perhaps spiritual depression is a part of the different ‘stages’ of faith, after all so many of us have walked varied paths in life to get to where we are now. Many of us have struggled with religion and tried to seek out meaning in the new age, and yet we have still not quite found ‘Utopia’ when it comes to spiritual enrichment. When we reach a point of realisation of the ‘bigger issues’ and know that ultimately we stand alone with God, we can falter and feel the pain of stepping free from the flock; we can suddenly feel quite vulnerable and exposed, and although we know that God is with us always, as human beings, we can struggle with this immensely. 

Maybe we should take heart to know that there are many feeling this way at the current time. Knowing that we are not alone warms the heart, and yet, in truth, this is not the kind of reassurance we need as to step from spiritual depression to a state of harmony and balance, we need to be free of the need for reassurance in the first place. It is therefore no wonder that so many of us are tied up in knots as on one hand the human side of our nature wants comfort, balance and a sense of belonging, but the continually expanding spiritual side of our natures wants to be free and at one with the Whole, not only taking us beyond the need for belonging but beyond the concept as well, for once in such a space, we intrinsically step into a space of knowing and wholeness, and the human frailties suddenly shift away from intensity and depression to balance. 

We can sometimes feel torn in two trying to find balance between the human and the spiritual, but it is only by ‘letting go’ that we can finally touch the peace that we seek. Standing in betwixt such a dichotomy isn’t easy, particularly when we know that we have to move through it in order to evolve. Many step back and walk away, preferring instead to hold on to the familiar, but there are those of us that have walked on, facing the winds, the rain, the cold and the unknown head-on, and although there seems to be little respite or shelter from the storm, when we pause and look back we realise just how far we have come. 

Of course, knowing we have made progress is reassuring but when we feel isolated, alone, disconnected and spiritually depressed, it can be hard to feel euphoric or elated at the same time. All we can do is our best to ride the waves and weather the storm as we carry on and allow the lighthouse in our souls to lead the way. Although there are times when the light is dim or out of view, we inherently know that we are walking the right path. Sometimes, we have to feel more alone and isolated in order to strip back the layers and reach down into our cores, for once we are stripped back and bare, we can then feel the true joy of divinity in ourselves and in our lives. 

Many dance in love and light, but in many ways, this is an avoidance strategy of facing Truth and the true neutrality and duality of the Universe. Like a day without a night, without dark or pain, there is no context to love, so we need to embrace the full spectrum in order to find equilibrium within. This is a challenging process as it takes us through spiritual depression, isolation and confusion, but when we reach the other side, we face a new dawn of incredible beauty and stillness; it is a dawn of self-realisation, balance, connection and joy as we no longer feel the pressure of disconnection but we feel a true sense of being fully awakened and an integral and vibrant part of the Whole...