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 Joy
Lynn Freeman, D.C., Ph.D.(cand)
These are crazy times we
live in—people expressing their rage with no constraint, suicide
rate among teens has tripled, and we are moving at a faster and
faster pace but seemingly going no where, like a dog chasing it’s
tail. We have more modern conveniences than we could have ever
imagined a few years back, and more quality products available in
every category under the sun, but still mental and physical illness
is more rampant than ever. What is wrong with this picture?
I believe one huge part of
the problem lies in the fact that our modern westernized culture,
with it’s fast pace and sometimes questionable values, is moving
farther away from a life that nurtures and feeds our soul despite all
the apparent improvements. In addition we live in a day and age where
judgment and blame run rampant—where unrealistic standards set
by media and the culture make it impossible to ever feel completely
satisfied with who we are, what we have, or do. This constant barrage
of internal and external criticism results in a culture that values
what somebody else decides we "should" do or be, rather
than listening to the truth of our soul. Consequently, on one
extreme, a few express this repression in violent acts, while most
experience it by never living a life of soul— where life
expresses who you are, including giving your natural gifts to the world.
We need to find a way to
reconcile the way we are forced to live in these times, because it is
just what is available, with what is true to our heart and soul. With
all the complex superhighways taking us where we think we want to go
in life, the question to ask ourselves is, what is the simple path
that leads back to soul? It starts with learning ways and tools to
reconnect with the essence of ourselves such that we are able to
counterbalance the effects of modern living.
I believe that we can in
fact take advantage of all the good things our times have to offer
with out getting sucked into the whirlwind. The path to this involves
two main things. First, by engaging in as many "soul
feeding" activities as possible—those things that nurture
our soul and that we do for the sheer enjoyment of rather than for
achieving a goal. Second, by learning to hear and know the inner
messages of our soul, acting on them and ultimately expressing them.
Thus we begin to live in accordance with our natural rhythms and be
who we really are rather than what has been dictated to us from
without. Living in this kind of balance along with regular
participation in soul feeding activities ultimately leads to greater
health, inner peace and feelings of fulfillment.
Examples of soul feeding
activities are: walking, hiking or connecting with nature; playing an
instrument; creating art; writing poetry, stories or thoughts;
participating in ritual; meditation practices; singing, dancing, or
drumming; creative cooking or baking; certain sports depending on the
attitude or motivation; and the list is endless. Though there is
great variation in what one can do, there is a common theme. It is
about being fully present in the moment and letting go of judgments
and goals. Any of these activities lose some of their soul feeding
quality as soon as we add rigid demands, unrealistic expectations or
any other internal pressure to perform, which sorry to say, is all
too common in our culture. The more we can allow the pure expression
of what is showing up in the moment, the more these type of
activities have the ability to feed and nurture our soul.
Engaging in many of these
soul feeding activities in the manner I have described has been an
inherent part of indigenous cultures for centuries. It has only been
in more recent years and in westernized cultures that expression of
this nature has become a low priority or designated for only the
"talented few." Older cultures recognized the value of
these creative and in-the-moment activities for channeling the stress
of day to day living, expressing ones deeper nature and often for
bonding people together—in essence for connecting to the
"soul" of life.
The second route to a life
of soul involves having life be an expression of ones natural soul
qualities and inner urgings rather than following a pre-determined
formula. There are six foundational steps to experiencing life in
this way.
1) Becoming Emotionally Literate
This involves being able to
identify what you are feeling, know how it feels in your body, and
refrain from discounting, ignoring or otherwise denying any of these
physical or emotional sensations. Part of becoming emotionally
literate is learning the fine art of surrender and letting
go of control. This open way of being is essential for inviting
more soul into your life as it softens defenses, creates more ease,
and allows for more authenticity and intimacy.
2) Knowing Your Personal Truth
As you learn to know what
you are feeling and allow those feelings without judgment, the
communication between your daily self and your deeper feelings,
senses and intuitions beings to improve. You begin to become more
clear about what works for you or what doesn’t, who and what
feels right to you ,or what you need to steer clear of. In general
you become in touch with your needs and desires and learn not to
judge or negate them..
3) Accepting and Love of Self
This step is about being
able to accept all aspects of yourself, even that which you may have
previously judged as unacceptable. It is about letting go of
idealistic standards picked up from upbringing or society and
forgiving yourself and others for things you have judged as wrong.
Learning to tame the inner critic and engaging in self love practices
are essential to this step.
4) Developing
Relationship of Trust with Self
The three steps listed
above lead to this. Once your inner being and deeper self feels safe
that you will honor its feelings, pay attention to it’s needs
and wants and make it a priority in your life, it begins to trust
that you, the daily self, will be there for it, where perhaps no one
else may ever have. This builds a foundation of strength within
yourself, which gives you the courage to take the risks to express
yourself or make appropriate changes in your life.
5) Expression of Truth
to External World
The previous steps have
been about coming to know your own truth, and gaining a positive and
solid relationship with yourself. This step is about expressing it to
the world around you. This might mean expressing a truth to someone
else regardless of how they may feel about it, setting boundaries
with others, or taking risks to do something new or scary, that feels
right to you.
6) Life Reflects Back
Truth of Who You Are—Living a Life of Soul
As you engage in all the
other steps listed above, eventually you find that you attract people
into your life who appreciate you for being you rather than an image
you have to uphold; relationships are more open, honest and intimate;
you are doing work that is more fulfilling; and you are making more
time for soul feeding activities. In addition the desire to
creatively express arises and you begin to engage in a creatively
activity that you may have dropped or never dared attempt before. All
this creates more passion, energy, and enthusiasm for life.
To live a life of soul is
to live a life of balance; where we have the time to slow down; to
pay attention to the simple things; things of nature, of the moment,
of the heart, of the emotions. Where every place we think we must go,
are but places we choose to go, or choose not to go. Where the
process becomes more important than the goal. Where time stands still
because in the moment time does not exist.
To live a life of soul is
to dance and sing in joyous revere or to weep and moan in heartful
grief. It is to feel all of life with a great passion and fullness,
whether on the light side or the dark, and to bear it all with a
sense of equanimity, compassion and honesty (heart). It is about
living a life that expresses who you truly are rather than who you
think you should be.
This life of soul is
available to all whether rich or poor, white, red, yellow or black,
wise or simple. Yes, even in this day and age of "having it
all," it is possible to let go of some of all that we have and
go for the more sacred, the simple, or that which embodies the heart
and the soul of life. It is possible to express our truths and live
life as an expression of our soul promptings. It is only for us to
decide it is important and take the necessary steps.
Joy Lynn Freeman, D.C., Ph.D.
(cand.), has been a pioneer in the healing arts for over twenty
years as a natural physician,
speaker-facilitator, therapist, and life transition coach. She has
lectured and offered workshops and retreats nationwide and is a
frequent guest on radio shows. Joy is the author of the Book Express
Yourself: Discover Your Inner Truth, Creative Self and The
Courage To Let It Out, a companion music CD, Let It Shine,
a series of five yoga videos and Women as Leaders and Healers
- transformational retreats and workshops incorporating
expressive arts, ritual & nature.
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