CATALYST NEWS

Eva Dahm, CPCC, MA

May, 2004

Dedicated to your growth and exploration

DO-BE-DO or Is It BE-DO-BE?

As I work with the ancient chakra system, I discuss the importance of being authentic-speaking your truth and living who you are. The vibrations of your words attract people to you who are interested in your energy. They either are already living as you are or they want to be.

In "The I of the Storm," Gary Simmons explains doing and being as they relate to embracing conflict and creating peace. Simmons says that two opposite forces (yin and yang-the more feminine and masculine energies) are complementary forces. The power between these two is shifting constantly. This is balance or the right-side working with the left we practice in yoga. This push/pull is what we witness everywhere in life. The two forces balance, only to move out of balance and then back.

The push/pull shows up in our lives as we alternate between being and doing states. "What we do in our lives fundamentally arises out of who we are. And who we are is reinforced and made solid by what we do." In human terms, we are the energy of being and the energy of doing.

Simmons identifies being and doing as opposing forces for us. We all have felt the give and take when we consider what to "do" on a day off. Do I tackle the chores or sit and chill? Do I watch TV or simply enjoy the bird songs in the back yard?

SOME GUIDANCE

Simmons believes that life's challenges are at the circumference of our being and Spirit is in the Center. The harmony, peace, and wholeness of the Spirit center are balanced by the experiences of our lives, the conflicts that seem to happen to us.

When our awareness is in our Center, we focus on Spirit. This shift to Spirit has an impact on our body and on others around us. Clients say they feel calm, centered, and grounded. Simmons believes this generates possibilities for us and for others. (Different ways of seeing or acting are created simply by this change.)Moving our attention to our still, quiet core can change others and us (and, I believe, the world). This inner focus is what happens during meditation or yoga or other spiritual practices. Regular meditation reinforces this core's presence for the practitioner.

This explains why I felt both levels of awareness when I was asked to lead a seven-week book study project at my church. My ego screamed that I was too busy while my inner core said, "Yes." After months of daily meditations, my quiet center knew that I wanted to give back to my church community.

BEING REAL

All of this groundwork is to explain the impact of living authentic lives and acting consciously. When we live and speak authentically, we align mind, body and spirit. It's no surprise that coaches begin their work with a client's values and principles. Who the client is at their core is a crucial foundation for their goals.

When I was a recruiter, the somewhat shady methods of gaining names from or access to a company did not align with my sense of integrity. I had no choice but to leave the position.

Notice I did not say that being authentic is all there is. It is the foundation for acting consciously or acting from the Spirit Center. When actions and words reflect your being and both are founded in your core, all energies are moving in the direction of Spirit-toward wholeness. Stress and tension are at the circumference of your being in life's experiences. Calm and peace are at your core.

"Authentic being and conscious doing are the energy of individuality and the field within which we express our wholeness. When we are true to our principles and values and when we value others and ourselves, our energy field is dynamic and filled with potential. But when we have our being and doing mixed up-when we need to be right instead of doing the right thing, for instance-our energy field is discordant."

CONFLICT

Simmons redefines conflict as a place or situation where we are forced to be our best. Conflict is in the situations when we are at our edge-feeling unsafe, unsure about how to proceed.

These conflicts actually call us to be our best and to grow and change. Simmons believes the conflict actually originates IN US. Our competing intentions create it!

"Conflict arises from within as an effect of two competing intentions: a compelling desire to feel safe, okay and valued and the drive to fulfill the soul's purpose."

This desire to feel safe versus fulfill our soul's purpose explains a lot. It explains how we can want one thing and do another. We feel safer with what we know. At least this is comfortable while the alternative is scary and new.

"This inherent conflict between one's soul and one's human nature plays out in daily life, we see what appears as an adversary in life is really a mirror of one's own resistance. Our resistance and defensiveness, therefore, arise out of those parts of ourselves that are not connected to our wholeness."

NOT WEAKNESS BUT POTENTIAL

Simmons concluded that our conflicts actually bless our lives because they push us to align with the Truth of our Spirit. He says our doubts and insecurities are not weaknesses but areas of great potential. When faced with danger we do or die. How many people do you know who stepped up when the situation was a dire one? Internal promotions often succeed even when they are a stretch because the employee sees the faith expressed in them and rises to the challenges.

Many times we look back on our largest conflicts as lessons in retrospect. How different would it be if we could see the lessons in the situation. Then we face the issue head on and know it's designed to stretch and grow us-designed to help us know our wondrous self. How different life would be with lucky flat tires and blessed conflicts?

Ancient Chinese saying suggests we embrace the tigers we encounter (conflicts) and return our attention to the mountains (our Spirit center).

HOW?

Stay in the present moment not a past pattern.
Be your authentic self.
Don't take the other person's words personally.
Practice open and active listening.
Don't go for right/wrong finger pointing.
Know the resistance is a lesson, too. Ponder: What is it I need to accept?

The "I" of the Storm: Embracing Conflict/Creating Peace. Gary Simmons, Unity House, 2001.