From Discipline to Devotion

“This is a way of living you can embody, a devotional path lined with love, acceptance and surrender.”

 

 

This week on Soul Gathering, as we close out November and prepare for the end of the year, we explored a very potent theme coined ‘Discipline to Devotion’. This theme has become a lived experience for many of us; one part of us fighting to survive in this hard world, conquering our bodies so we can think, work and produce as fast and effectively as our counterparts. And, yet still there is a deep calling from within to honour our need for rest, for our bodies to be heard during the different phases of our menstrual cycle, letting us know when it’s time to hibernate and when it’s time to let all our of our bursting creative ideas loose. 

 

 

By honouring the cyclical nature of our bodies, rhythms, cycles, we are beginning to recognise our inherent connection to nature and the earth, which is a radical act of reclamation of our power and reverence to our bodies. It is our womb space, our heart and the wisdom of our body’s language that knows far more than external sources could ever offer. More often than not, the body knows far more about our highest path forward than even our minds.

Much to our dismay!

 

 

By no means am I degrading the qualities of  strength, resilience and perseverance, as  by utilising, acknowledging and honouring the qualities of the masculine, we can experience profound change, direction and accomplishment. Without those qualities, I wouldn’t be writing this, you wouldn’t have committed to that goal you so beautifully achieved, we wouldn’t have forward motion in society’s development. However, what I am alluding to is when our scales become lopsided and we venerate the traits that help us to build, grow and produce and forget to appreciate the counter need for gestation, nourishment, slowness and introspection. Without one, we cannot experience the other.

 

The feminine celebrates pleasure, simple joys, creativity, being in a state of receptivity and deep surrender to life. An aspect of the feminine often overlooked is the desire to just simply be. Be full, whole, complete, fulfilled and  in order for this ‘Being’ occur, we must be willing to listen to what is being asked of us. Sometimes we need to get good quality rest, not numbing but unwinding, a walk in nature, a new routine, a run or cold swim. Cutting out that toxic habit pattern, or shining a light on where you need to finally set a boundary. Only you know what your body is communicating to you but we must be willing to be radically honest and open to whatever arises. Without judgement. 

 

In this moment

Where am I not trusting my instincts?

Where am I disregarding the whispers from within?

 

 When I refer to discipline, I am pointing to what can be called the unhealthy masculine, that form of discipline that is fuelled from a place of lack and advocates disassociation from the body, fuelled with guilt and shame – “I should be/doing/having MORE. To be ‘disciplined’, many of us have had to learn to sever our heads from our bodies, to disregard our cycles and disregard our need for rejuvenation. We have been brought up in a society that values your willingness to go above and beyond, to push beyond normal means, to produce and perform in almost robotic ways.

For some, to need rest is to be weak and most dangerously, to stop for a moment means to feel.

 

 

 

The path of devotion I am pointing to is that of the healthy feminine and the path of surrender. Letting the compass of your heart guide you to follow your bliss and surrender to the greater plan meant for you. Devotion is honouring your needs and desires in each moment, rather than compulsively filling them or numbing them, the feminine asks we meet life intimately, devotionally, curiously. 

 

Devotion recognises all that you are now, as you are, full and complete. An embodiment of the divine, in a borrowed vessel, here to experience the fullness of your longing. Your longing is a gift from life, there is no shame there, just pure curiosity, openness and truth. You, gifted with the capacity to meet whatever arises with presence trusting in your capacity to have your own back, speak your truth and stand for what you believe in.

 

Devotion rises above the ego, which fights to keep you safe and small – in a space of familiarity but as we all well know, nothing grows in this space. It serves, until it doesn’t. Devotion nudges your forward, asking you to trust in your discernment, in the wisdom within your heart. To follow your golden thread.

 

“The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure ”
― Joseph Campbell

 

Moving into a form of devotional living can feel like a breath of fresh air in the stagnant heat of the stiff upper lip attitude of survival of the fittest. We begin to shift from I “have to”, to I “get to”, harnessing our craft through self love, routine and discipline in a way that honours our unique being. 

From surviving to living. (and mostly, thriving!)

 

 

How do we facilitate this shift?

Embodiment of the healthy masculine, venerating how it shows up in our life, celebrating and making space for those who make space for it. You may feel it before you see it, it feels safe, you feel that knot in your stomach soften when in his/hers presence. You feel comfortable to express how you truly feel without conflict or a desperate need to fix or solve your dilemma, no matter how big or small it is. This energy is that of patience, of non judgement, of ultimate space holding that is just in awe of your expression, no matter how big or small. Fuelled with respect, lined with remnants of the parts of himself he has faced, the safe masculine energy does not judge. This is a way of living you can embody, a devotional path lined with love, acceptance and surrender.

 

We all encompass both of these energies, it is not relevant to the genitals you have or gender you choose but rather which energy is more active and which more dormant. If you are curious to know more about your inner world, take a honest look at your outer world. Where can you offer more grace, as we walk each other home to harmony? Invite this balance of feminine and masculine into your own inner world and get curious.

 

“As within, so without.”

 

This devotional path has led me to becoming a safe space for myself, to unbecoming the judgemental critic, to protecting my heart but not withholding my love, to observing but not absorbing. By exploring and harmonising this inner harmony between both sides of my coin, I can do the best I can with what I have now. 

 

“Do all the good you can, to all the people you can, in all the ways you can as long as you can,” D. L. Moody.”

This is what we will continue to explore in the continuation of Soul Gathering, a space for women to gather, to share, explore, express and unravel. How to embody the truths we wish to live by, together. 

 

 You are invited. Bring a sister too. 

We resume soon.

 

Register here: https://www.rannaalsayyed.com/whats-coming-up/

Make sure to join the mailing list to be notified for December events too. 

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