You are not defined by your pain. It is the tendency of earthly life to become attached to whatever is happening around us. This is how the ego lives. When we experience pain and suffering, it is easy to become attached to it as a way of defining ourselves. We feel our well being rests in changing the external situation, and thus our pain continues as a never ending struggle to become other than what we are....a never ending search to experience something different than what is....and a never ending cycle of birth and incarnation.

When we awaken to the truth of ourselves, we can see that any struggle, any search, any attempt to get away from pain and conflict only resulted in perpetuating this cycle. Pain and conflict are the result of struggling against what is. When we become attached to something external (earthly things) for our sense of well being, security and sense of Self, we have limited and defined ourselves. Pain and conflict are the resulting experience as the soul strives to grow, expand and free us from our perceived limitations.

The next time you are experiencing emotional pain or conflict, take a good look at what you are holding onto in that situation. Is it a loved one who is going their own way? Is it because someone around you is behaving in a way that no longer meets your needs? Is it because you feel ill-a-ease in a relationship or job that no longer fits who you are? Is it because someone is expecting or asking more of you than you can give? Is it because you have gone against what you feel is right within you? Is it because fear has taken the place of love within your life? Whatever the external situation, the root will always be that you are holding yourself back in some way by attempting to keep things the way they are or by continuing to fulfill yours or another's expectations of who and what you are. The ego will conjure up some fear about what will happen if you "let go and let God", but this fear is not reality and it is what holds you attached to the past. This is the root of suffering.

Let go of these attachments. Let go of these limitations. You are losing nothing. You are emerging from the cocoon and are ready to fly. Everyone around you is already free and will do whatever their soul needs to do to clear karma and bring them into balance. This is a law of the universe. This will happen, regardless of what you do or do not do for them. Free yourself of this bondage. Know that when you allow yourself to grow and free yourself from the earthly attachments, new clarity will come. Yes, there is pain in letting go, sometimes excruciating pain. Fear will rise within you at the thought of leaving behind what is familiar. But, you will soon see that you are losing nothing. You will not miss whatever it is that you were attached to. Like a child who doesn't get their way, you too will forget these struggles very quickly as you leave them behind.

A new you is emerging. Everything that came before was a stepping stone, there for the moment because it was needed, but meant to be passed over as you continue on your journey. This is not something that brings sadness. This is the continuing expansion of the soul. This is how we are meant to evolve, deeper into self awareness, self knowledge, richer experiences and unconditional love. Pain comes from holding onto external (earthly) attachments. Freedom and truth are revealed when all attachments are released. Your life may not change at all....or it may change drastically. It doesn't matter. What will change is how you experience life and how you feel about your experiences. You will no longer be bound within the limitations of thought, conditioning or past karma. You will be free.

So many times we are stuck in a pattern of behavior or experience because we want so desperately to do the right thing. We don't want to hurt anyone, we want to be fair, we don't want to be selfish. The spiritual path naturally makes us conscious and aware of our actions and we struggle with this new responsibility and awareness. We struggle too much. Doing what is right is a relative term. What is right for one is not right for another. There is no such thing as good/bad, good/evil, right/wrong. Yes, from the earthly (ego) perspective you can name plenty of things that can be defined in this way. These are the limitations of duality. It is much more helpful and loving to view the world from a higher perspective. To understand that everything is Divine, everything happens for a reason and when pain and suffering does happen, it exists only at the dualistic level of awareness. The soul is not touched by anything negative. The soul knows only love. So, when you struggle with what is right and wrong in any situation and you are torn by guilt, responsibility, duty or obligation, remember that the only answer lies in rising above these choices and choosing love. The only way to inner peace is to transcend the need for these choices by letting go, thus ending their power over you.

Whatever brings you peace and joy is the right answer. If for a moment, you are filled with peace and joy about a decision, but the mind quickly brings in thoughts about why this is not "good", or "fair" or "right", you will know that is ego, struggling to keep you entrenched in the dualistic patterning. It knows once you have the courage to disregard the ego's fears and conflict and choose the higher road of love, it has lost the battle. Once you refuse to be stopped by the fears and doubts that come up, once you surrender to feel whatever pain ego can throw at you..it has lost the battle. You will have broken through the outer shell of the cocoon and then, it is only a matter of time before you fully emerge into the total awareness of Divine love.

About the Author

Solomae Sanada is an author, spiritual teacher and Shaktipat Master who has experienced the ascension and of her Kundalini energy, bringing the experience of self-realization. She shares the message of Divine Communion and the Oneness of all through non-profit Living Spirit Foundation.

Copyright © November 2001