Paradox reveals a kind of truth
which at first seems contradictory.
What if Paradox is ‘the seeming
contradiction’ of living potentiality?
What if it illustrates our true
nature beyond ‘this’ or ‘that’
into this AND that…
To begin our time together, place into heart
space a situation which is calling you into
spiritual, soulful, presencing growth.
It could be anything, especially an anything
that does not feel particularly present right
now, where you would like to experience
a greater sense of presence.
Now breathe into your heart space and even
if you haven't come up with a situation, trust
in a moment – that situation will have
surfaced and you may begin allowing the
transcendent energy here to craft upon it solidly.
Now, listen.
Paradoxes melt in my heart and soul almost the same
way chocolate melts in my mouth – rich, deeply invigorating
and often times filled with surprises.
What sounds impossible I know is absolutely true – that
being still in the midst of a maelstrom and pulsating with
energy while simply gazing at the stars – this is where
passion most truly lives.
Passion lives the vividly in the center of the paradox, in
the place where the truth dances – with life, with vigor,
with silence, with harmony and with cacophony.
I was raised in a large, busy family where noise was the
status quo. I learned early to work and focus no matter
how much of a hubbub surrounded me. I discovered that
sometimes the most sacred experiences of sanctuary actually
came from being immersed in the hubbub, completely – and
being in awe of the life force that quietly flowed even in
what seemed like chaos.
At Disneyland recently I stood, waiting patiently in a
crowd to get on board Rockin' Space Mountain. I quietly
sent love, sent kindness, sent peace to the others as they
waited. Ironic? Yes. Perfect? Yes – absolutely.
It was in a moment with my Muse when I felt the most
springy inside, the most vulnerable, the most perplexed
and bewildered. I reclined on a tarp spread across the
soil, looking up at the stars, quiet on the outside and
reflective yet pulsing wildly on the inside. The fire
warmed one side of my body and the other side
of my body was shivering against the cold, December
air. “You look so beautiful, lying there in repose” My
Muse said to me.
I wondered how I could possibly be expressing repose
when I felt as if my world was crumbling inside and
I was having a difficult time translating even
the radiant warmth from the fire and the coldness
of the air against my skin.
I was perplexed yet I was open.
I was still and screaming in that place of paradox.
You can practice your own version of this paradox,
as Indira Gandhi reminds us “You must learn to be
still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly
alive in repose.”
Yes – your passionate embrace of life is worth
exploring now.
Consider a time when you felt extra busy – what might
you have focused on to bring your heart to center
amidst the outer appearance of chaos?
Consider a time of deep relaxation – what might you do
to stay fully awake and alert amidst this sacred
time of quiet?
Today I want to make a request of you – I want
you to be on the lookout for moments to practice
passionate paradox, intentionally, perhaps when
you have a (historically) “negative” opinion
of something. What would happen if you held
an entirely different energy instead?
Hold that completely opposite energy in your
hands and place it into your heart.
Now, to close our time together, place into
the center a single word which is symbolic of
an area where you feel called into growth.
Next – be on the look out for times to practice this
passionate paradox – and let me know how it goes.
©2009 Being Bootcamp (Julie Jordan Scott)
Listen to the audio…
