Transitions are most often thought of as external events: retirement, marriage, divorce, death etc. However the most powerful and profound transitions on the planet are currently occurring internally and universally in the form of a spiritual awakening.
With the advent of the information age it is becoming increasing apparent that we do indeed have too much information. Literally every book, thought, experience, song, and movie is available to us with very little effort. With the advent of the home personal computer and the Internet our access to information which seemed unlimited is expanding exponentially. The primary problem is that for any piece of information we find we can find its diametric opposite. How to choose our "truth" or discern reality can be very problematic.
Fortunately along with the information age there is an increasing awareness of an energy, a non-cognitive consciousness, spoken of in the Celestine Prophecy, that can guide us if we are able to sufficiently quiet our cognitive minds to feel what is right for us. This guidance is attributed to many different phenomenon. It is called intuition, God, higher self, higher power, right brain, guides, or universal consciousness among others. It is also experienced very differently. Some see auras, some hear energies or voices, other see visions or have thoughts come to them. Some simply feel and know.
There are many ways of getting in touch with this energy: prayer, meditation, support groups, massage, healing touch, psychotherapy, exercise such as quiet walks, yoga, dance or simply sitting on the beach. No one method works for all, but all can be effective.
Your method will no doubt change over time. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. Sample many ways, one will work for you. This is not learning in the traditional sense, there are no facts to remember, no written tests to take, no ability to measure our progress against another. This is not a competition, it is about seeking and finding your purpose. It is about seeking what brings you peace and joy; not about accumulating material objects and relationships that leave you feeling empty. It is about feeling safe, free of doubt and fear. It is about finding out who we really area.
It differs from rational decision making in that we follow it regardless of what logic dictates. It is following, more than planning. It is about trusting and having faith in that energy guidance.
For example: in choosing a career logically you look at the money it pays, the hours you work, the working conditions, opportunities for advancement, skills required, etc. etc. Energetically you have no decisions to make. You simply chose to follow the energy or not, or as Joseph Campbell says, "Follow your bliss". That is your decision, moment to moment to follow your energy/bliss or not.
Now, many of us are very out of touch with this energy and this transition from living one's life rationally to living energetically can initially be very fear producing. Often we need assistance, but choosing an assistant can be problematic. Remember we are learning to be guided by energy not logic. Our prospective assistant's licenses, certificates and education are of no assistance to us.
These are logical rational guidelines and many unlicensed, uncertified and uneducated (in the traditional sense) assistants can be very assistive. In case licensed practitioners think that this last statement is a self-serving statement and from an unlicensed person, let it be known that the author has three state licenses one each in psychotherapy, nursing and massage, but my connection with the energy is quite separate from any of that training.
Your guide to seeking an assistant will be how you feel with your chosen assistant. Do they point you to the energy inside you? When you work with them are you, if not in peace, moving towards peace?
Assistants are professional and lay people, groups and individuals, and all are striving for the same thing to increase their connection with that energy. Many of you will chose an assistant and quickly think you made a mistake, you did not. It was just a short lesson or you may be a very fast learner, now is the time for you to find another assistant, and another and another until the energy itself is the only assistant you need.
Getting in touch with this energy and guidance can ease all transitions. It is the grandest transition. It brings a peace that alleviates the fear so often experienced in our earthly transitions. I wish you well.
Dale McNitt, LCSW, RN, LMT is a body oriented psychotherapist, nurse, healer and massage therapist. He is director of Bhakti Academe, a school of intuitive massage and healing in Clearwater. 724-9727