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One very
important pair of contrasting energies within us is the active and
receptive, or dynamic and magnetic aspects. I often refer to
these as the fundamental masculine and feminine principles of the
universe.
Every one of
us, whether man or woman, has both of these aspects within us.
We need to develop both of these energies and allow them to work
together rather than in conflict with each other.
There are two
basic ways to have power or to get what you want in life:
The active
mode is to go after it, to make it happen.
The receptive
mode is to attract it, magnetize it, allow it to happen.
The active
mode requires focus, aggressiveness, confidence, persistence, the
ability to do, and the willingness to risk.
The receptive
mode requires openness, vulnerability, trust, the ability to be and
to wait, and the willingness to have and accept. . . .
At this point
in our evolution, we are challenged to develop both of these
polarities within ourselves, and to integrate them into our lives so
that we know how and when to use each of them appropriately and
effectively.
Most of us
are more identified with one or the other of these opposites.
We have spent time and energy developing one of these aspects, and
that's the one we feel most familiar and comfortable with.
It's the way we've succeeded thus far, so it's the way we know and
trust.
Yet staying
overly identified with only one side of this polarity will
eventually limit us and cause us increasing pain. If we
operate mainly in the active mode, we may accomplish a great deal
but are likely to find it a struggle and exhaust ourselves in the
process. If we operate mainly in the receptive mode, we may
attract many people and opportunities but have difficulty following
through with the action that's called for, and therefore feel
depressed or inadequate.
So we need to
become aware of which polarity we tend to rely on, and learn how to
develop its opposite as well. Most truly successful and
prosperous people have a balance of both.
Our culture
is very oriented toward the active masculine mode, so that way is
better understood, more honored, and more valued.
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