Apathy may be something that we have been creeping towards for some time. However at this time of year with the holidays in full swing it not only becomes more apparent but more painful.
As mentioned in our last post, apathy has two very important sources. It may be a sign that our stress has reached the level of burn out or that it may have a deeper spiritual cause at its root. The former relationship of apathy and stress was explored in the previous post. Here we will look at the relationship of apathy and spirituality.
Apathy and the True Self
Spiritually apathy can be a sign that we’ve fallen into living separated from our true selves, our souls and our creative potential. In an effort to live by the rules, be successful, and meet the material goals of one’s life there often can be an abandonment of SELF. This abandonment is a profound disconnect with that which is soulful, nourishing, and life enhancing. To truly live our dreams in a healthy way—one that provides real satisfaction and wholeness—we need to be aligned with our SELF, heart and soul and have the means to integrate it with our human selves.
Integration Versus Separation
We do not have to eschew rules, success or material gain in order to honor our spiritual nature. That is black and white thinking that will only lead to more of the same polarized living that is the problem.
Our answer lies in taking the necessary steps to live from the inside out. Start small and build on things that bring some lightness, joy and ease into your life. Living from your core, true or essential self means to identify and allow yourself your dreams. It means not getting caught up in the “have tos” so much that you do not bring in enough beauty, relaxation and fun. It means taking the time for the quiet construction of communication with your interior.
When moving away from apathy, just take it a step at a time. It is unrealistic to expect to move from a state of not caring to suddenly caring without experiencing anything in between. Realize that whatever you experience is OK. It is more important to accept how you are feeling and work with it vs. ignoring your feelings and suppressing them. When you suppress your feelings, you’re pushing them deeper inside. Doing so can manifest as health problems or imbalances.
Steps to Moving Beyond Apathy
Meditation/Mindfulness Techniques that help develop a sense of presence as well as the ability to be totally present in the moment regardless of what is happening. By doing so energy rises and we feel better thereby increasing the capacity for being present!
Healing work that brings about self acceptance and a release from internal conflict. Releasing states of internal struggle allows energy to flow more freely. The result is we can move toward our human goals with more fluidity. We can also be more graceful and accommodating with change, with ourselves and each other.
Use methods that build and strengthen energy.
Keeping energy abundant, free flowing and of higher frequency improves health, happiness, deal with conflict and enhances our ability to relate and be with others.
Focus on approaches that help develop higher consciousness.
This can be some of the things already mentioned but can also include contemplative prayer, reading inspirational or philosophical literature, or engaging in individual or group “therapies” that focus on expansion of higher level human functions of insight, intuition and creativity.
Embracing just one of the suggestions here can help open you to others that lead to a life well lived, satisfaction and fulfillment regardless of what is occurring in the outer world. That being said, it can also lead you to be involved in that world in a whole new way that benefits you and humanity.
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