It seems to me that there is lots of magical thinking in spirituality - traditional or new age. Praying the "right" way, positive thinking, affirmations, visualizations, etc. all with the purpose of keeping us safe. I know that the longings within me are partly about calling on the Parent in whatever form that takes in my spiritual development. "I suffer - please help"
I do think that a positive attitude is a wonderful thing - and that the mind/body connection in healthcare is very important. However, I also believe that we really don't have a lot of control over what happens to us. While that seems discouraging at first glance - and I certainly fought that idea for many years - I now find it, if not comforting yet, a relief.
When I was a young whipper-snapper, I was certain that my life would be different - that I would be in charge of all aspects of my life. I charged headlong into my life, and over the years wore myself completely out. I couldn't accept that pain is a given in life. Instead of working on understanding my choice in not suffering, I worked on not experiencing pain.
When my 40th birthday hit - and I do mean hit - lots of life lessons began to tumble onto my head. Pebbles at first, then larger and larger until I was dodging boulders! Some of those boulders finally helped me stop, though - I was just too exhausted to continue dodging them. I decided to resign from keeping the world spinning on it's axis. What a relief!
What I can control, though, is my practice - acting consistently with my values and beliefs, even when I don't feel like it - and continuing to look deeply into myself to find the roots of my issues and problems. To uproot those things that are keeping me from opening my eyes. That moment that clicks to make the understandings of the mind fit with the feelings of the heart. To me, it seems like that's what the experience of waking up is about - getting in sych with all the aspects of myself, of the world.
Like struggling to ride a horse as a beginner - the body works too hard at it, the horse can't settle in, the mind is constantly working to control what the body is doing. Then one day, it fits - no thinking really, not mindless, but mindful - no effort. You're working, you're in action, but it all comes together in a natural flow.
No, the world really can't be safe - the flow is just as present in the wild river rapids as it is in the peaceful reflecting pool - but I can accept the world as it is, and I can accept where I am within it. Deeply within this moment is the safety of peace.
