Opting into the reality of contrast

In the realm of spiritual exploration, there exists a prevalent expectation that enlightened people or spiritual teachers embody a state of unwavering positivity, untouched by the contrasts of life. Many believe that mastery over the self is match to a life free from challenges, pain, or adversity. This idealized perception can create a sense of dissonance when we witness these very teachers navigating profound struggles, personal losses, or moments of vulnerability.

But what if these contrasts are not contradictions to their enlightenment but rather  integral to it? What if the challenges they face are reflective of their mastery an opportunity to alchemize energy, embody wisdom, and demonstrate the delicate dance between light and shadow?

What we often miss is the understanding that vibration is not a simple equation. It is made up of the conscious mind, the subconscious mind, thoughts, actions, and choices. Every choice we make comes with contrast. For example, when we choose to come to Earth, we agree to certain vibrations such as being bound by gravity simply because of that choice.

Consider someone who chooses to become a public speaker by making that choice they are also opting into the vibration of visibility and the experience of potential embarrassment or anxiety. The depth of confidence and empowerment in speaking one’s truth is enhanced because the possibility of failure or vulnerability exists.

 We may wonder why anyone would opt into emotional distress. Yet, within these experiences lies a hidden gem: we cannot fully understand one state without having known its opposite. We can experience connection so much more deeply if we’ve once known disconnection.

The idea that you need to experience extreme lows to know extreme highs is not the way this game of life was meant to be played. Humans, due to intense socialization, often resist their desires, creating a vast gap between where they are and what they want. This resistance magnifies their experiences, making the contrast unnecessarily extreme. Unlike other species, humans sometimes get lost in resistance, stretching the gap so wide that closing it seems impossible.

The key is to allow small moments of contrast to spark desire and then move towards that desire quickly and fluidly. In this way, we expand and grow without the need for overwhelming extremes. 

So the goal isn’t to create more pain or challenges. It’s to acknowledge that we live in a universe full of contrast and pain that we cannot fully control. Instead, we can encourage ourselves to use these experiences to powerfully define what brings us passion and joy. 

Just as a parent might lovingly guide a child, encouraging them to discover their own path, the universe take on the role of both guide and advocate saying:

"Child of mine, go out into this world full of pain. Use that to discover what makes you come alive, and pour all of your energy into that. I will stand by you as an advocate for your desires, supporting you as you line up with what you truly want."

'Enlightened' people don’t seek to create suffering, they recognize that the world already provides enough contrast for growth. The expansion we seek doesn’t require us to descend into the depths of despair. While the journey may sometimes lead to dark places, it is not a necessity. The beauty of the experience is in knowing we have the power to close the gap and align with our desires, transforming contrast into clarity, pain into passion, and resistance into flow.