Positive Energy Guide

Indifference and independence are the two wings which enable the soul to fly. ~Inayat Khan

Indifference! My most intimate friend, I am sorry I have always to act against thee as thy opponent. ~Inayat Khan

Emptiness has a special kind of power that supports right use of other forms of power. Emptiness helps to develop sensitivity when power becomes too bold, and power when sensitivity makes us too delicate, by bringing us into the present without engrained and automatic agendas.

Emptiness increases freedom. Emptiness confers the inestimable freedom of being able to act without preconception. Simultaneously, emptiness confers the ability to relax the impulse to act when we feel compelled to do something.

This ability is especially important with respect to using power. Using power cleanly, without force, requires being able not only to restrain ego expression, but to empty oneself of it, so ones motivational force does not interfere. Suppressing that force is like pushing Jack down into the box—he will pop up later, at an unexpected moment.

Releasing claims and urges through true emptiness enables one to use the power of intention for the highest good. Expressions of power from this place of indifference toward lower expressions of self have a totally different flavor. True freedom is freedom from compulsion. Clean power is power that is not driven by compulsion.

A client delighted me by saying, “It is amazing that grace can come from somewhere or through someone unexpected. People can surprise you if you don’t hold them in your mind as being incapable of it.” Her insight shows one beautiful way that emptying oneself of prejudiced opinion also confers freedom on others.

Balancing the above: Those of us who make it a point to keep the door of possibility open for others need to remember to see and accept people AS THEY ARE NOW. Excessive hope becomes toxic. Contrary to the usual interpretation: acceptance does not necessarily mean approving of people’s choices and behaviors. Accepting means allowing that they ARE that way. We need to notice what happens when we hold open that door, so we can keep from compromising our well being.

Why does Inayat Khan say, in the quote at the top, that indifference is a friend, yet one he must act against? This is a useful inquiry for those of us who have been developing compassion. We can be eaten alive by users if we do not learn to employ indifference to counterbalance excessive attachment, involvement, identification with the suffering of others, and sensing of others’ needs and states. We need to be able to step back when excessive compassion creates burnout. Since Inayat Khan had a loving heart that embraced the Universe, indifference would have been a needed friend. At the same time, connecting as One requires great love, as does kindness, teaching, healing, and holding a sacred mission.

Allowing indifference to be a friend without identifying with it allows us to work against it in order to develop greater love and compassion. It walks beside us like a friend giving counsel, helping us to release unbalanced motives, to empty ourselves of the impulse to take side roads that distract from greater purpose.

Emptiness is protective. Emptiness keeps us from wasting energy on things that are not our spiritual job. It can protects our energy by freeing us from errors of over-investment and injudicious action.

Emptiness also provides transparency to influence. Other people and conditions cannot influence us without our permission when we are able to attend to emptiness. When empty, we are not susceptible to picking up unwanted energy. External energies require some type of sticky investment, motivation, identification, etc. to enter into our personal energy fields. Emptiness gives negative energies nothing on which to attach. As ever, faking it won’t work. That just pushes the energy somewhere else in our fields. Releasing investment and reaction protects our energy.

Are YOU more prone to excessive attachment or excessive indifference, or do you swing between them?

What do you do to bring yourself into balance between freedom and love?