Friday, April 23, 2010

LOVE & GENTLENESS

PRIMARY INTENT: Consider that our capacity for gentleness becomes evident in how we take care of ourselves through moments when we don't appear to care for anything.

VIBRATIONAL INTENT: Love. Consider that the caliber of love we feel for ourselves shows its face most clearly when we are experiencing any sort of pain, discomfort, and suffering. Can we love ourselves when we feel afraid, angry, and sad? Can we love ourselves when we feel ashamed, embarrassed, and humiliated? Can we love ourselves when we feel superior, arrogant, and righteous? Can we love ourselves when we feel hopeless, broken, and lost? Can we love ourselves when we feel bored, useless, and unproductive? Consider that if we can only love ourselves when we feel good, positive, and upbeat - then it is likely that our current perception of love is lacking in the elixir of gentleness.

HEART INTENT: Gentleness. Consider that there is no point in trying to not be upset when we are. Consider that there is no point in trying to not be afraid, angry, or sad, when we are. Consider that it is hard enough having to experience these emotional signatures without adding denial into the mix. Consider that the gentle heart always validates experience - yet also does not lose causal awareness by identifying with it. Consider that when we feel afraid, angry, or sad - or any felt emotional state which is uncomfortable - that this is an opportunity to cultivate gentleness toward ourselves, and to all currently exposed to our experience. Consider that when we feel sad we can still gently run ourselves a candlelit bubblebath. Consider that when we are angry we can still take ourselves for a gentle walk in nature. Consider that when we are afraid we can still gently prepare ourselves a tasty, nutritious meal. Consider that gentleness is the unconditional attribute of love which counteracts moments when everything feels hard - that gentleness is not manipulative - it does not arise to make anything better - it arises because it is gentle.