I have always wondered, we have been taught various important subjects such as maths, sciences and languages at school, why is there not a subject taught on life empowerment or creating the life you desire?
Life perhaps is the biggest lesson of all in itself. Although I agree that it is not a formulae, and there may not be one fundamental that applies to all, there are some underlying themes which connect us and are universal. For example, the empathy for pain and the yearning for acceptance and love. And there are qualities that we all value such as honesty, integrity or bravery.
So, I wonder, would my life have been drastically different to now if I had been encouraged to discover myself at a young age? Would I have been able to prevent or avoid some of the pitfalls encountered if I had been exposed to these teachings from early on?
Maybe yes, maybe no.
Coincidentally, what I have become to realise is that the more conscious you become of yourself, the more awareness you gain towards the divine pattern in life.
This seems contradictory at a glance. What comes with knowledge and consciousness should be enlightenment and free will, the better ability to perceive choices which lead to greater discernment. But at the same time, it also opens up the cognisance and insight into the inevitable, the inescapable, the destiny, which we must follow. Does true separation exist between one and another? Although we remain as seemingly distinct individuals, yet our lives with others are intertwined. The most wonderful analogy I have come across is to imagine yourself as a strand in a knitted jumper, if we pull on any other strand, we are also affected. Hence, the inconclusive debate that has perplexed so many philosophers, fate vs. free will.
What has inspired (caused) me to write this is the unforgettable experience as a volunteer today at the Reach program, Heroes Day http://www.reach.org.au/. The whole day workshops helped Year 9 students to break down facade, remove barriers, and allow a glimpse of their true inner selves to shine through to others as well as to themselves. The objective is to teach the students not to be identified with just the exteriors or the ego self, but to find out who they truly are.
The journey of a hero (or heroine), as the name suggests, is never an easy one. There must be obstacles and challenges along the way to help him or her to reveal the courage, faith and strength inside themselves to finally overcome the impossibles. This is perhaps why we love to champion the underdogs and prefer a come back story than an effortless victory.
In his book The Magic Thread, astrologer Richard Idemon differentiates the Hero from all the rest as one who girds the sword and goes out and says, "I challenge my life." He or she must journey through the underground, slay the dragon, in order to rise back up. And often, what we meet to confront is the inner 'demons', our preconceptions which no longer serve our higher purpose.
This person who is able to acknowledge and integrate different parts within themselves, Richard calls him or her the twice born. If I may, I'd like to take this further. It is a constant and ongoing process of 'tearing down' and rebuild. Continuing adjustments and alignments is required for procreation and balance as life itself is cyclical.
Coming back to my earlier question, is it therefore possible to access only pleasure and bypass pain if we had acquired this understanding?
Light cannot exist without darkness. Similarly, true joy may never be uncovered if pain has not been accepted or released. These are all assets given to the Hero on the journey of becoming.
