Be the Change: Mind Your Thoughts

There is much talk about 'being the change' we wish to see in the world, as inspired by the sage counsel of Mahatma Gandhi. For most people, 'being the change' means taking action 'out there', which is actually 'doing' the change. And this 'doing' of the change may or may not be in alignment with higher values or spiritual tenets of Love, loving kindness, compassion, and so on.

'Being the change' is an inner process that reflects itself in aligned outward action.

And what change are we intent upon being? The wisdom of sages and ages tells us that 'being Love' is the ultimate of soul's purpose, and all that aligns us with the Love that we are, and releasing the 'not Love' that we are not but have learned that we are, is the wisest of practice. Release what you're not: fear; remember and embody what you are: Love.

One of the greatest 'dropping who you are not' practices is to realize that many of your thought patterns, your habitual reactions and beliefs, are part of the 'not you' -- not really you, not at heart and soul. How do you know what those 'not you' patterns, thought habits, and beliefs are? 

A primary tell-tale sign is through body wisdom - how you feel when you're thinking about, speaking about, or acting from those 'not you' patterns. If you feel anxious, fearful, constricted, harsh, separate tense or tight, it's one indication that there is a 'not you' patterns trying to get your attention so that you can see and release it.

If, on the other hand, you feel expansive, joyful, calm, kind, compassionate, 'inner smiling', connected, and grounded, it may be a good indication that a 'that which you are' pattern or thought response is trying to get your attention ("Pick me!").

Many of us long ago became disconnected with our Feminine nature and natural body wisdom, because we slowly migrated much of our 'doing in the world' away from our 'whole body' and into our heads -- something that is understandable in a culture that values only the intellect, so-called 'logic', and rational, analytical thinking. I know, because I locked away my innately compassionate, visionary, intuitive nature in favor of developing and living from my analytical nature because it's what was celebrated and valued in my American, 20th Century culture. While those are handy traits available to us, living only from them creates horrible imbalances that we see in our own lives and in the world.

By noticing when you're in judgment, nonconstructive criticism, scarcity based 'win-lose' (I gotta get mine or I'll get none) thinking, or fear (If I don't do this, something horrible will happen), you can notice the unbalanced Voice of Culture getting your attention so that you can choose differently.

Choose. It's a choice. And in order to make the choice, day by day, moment by moment, we have to be aware that there is a pattern that does not serve us, and does not serve the wellbeing of humanity or the planet.

Change your thoughts and you change the world. Notice, moment by moment, and choose, choice by choice, Love rather than fear, and you will be the change you wish to see in the world.