The events of September 11, 2001 have certainly shaken up a significant portion of North America. Concerns about our safety, who to trust and who not to trust, who to blame and how to respond have been pretty compelling for many. The extreme Male response that many public personages have chosen, illustrates much of the dilemma that the man who seeks a spiritual approach to life faces both within himself and in the world at large.

One of the fears that makes being "In the Zone" nearly impossible is the fear of being and/or looking like a wimp. If we don't espouse the desire for violent revenge, we must be a weeny. If we don't turn our attention to the misery of others or put our backs to the wheel of our culture, our country or even our families, we cannot be "Real Men." Suddenly, we find that our lives, our internal issues and our search for meaning and happiness must take a back seat to the events which fill the lives of other people. If we don't conform to that public, mainstream standard, we are subject to judgement from outside and from inside. Our own internal slave driver is, after all, the one with true power over us.

I would offer the idea that being "sensitive" does not mean letting ourselves be paralyzed by what the world outside ourselves places before us. Indeed, to stay true to ourselves in the face of the pain of others is a considerable challenge. To be centered in the universe of our own lives, in spite of what others might think of us or what we have been told is the right and "moral" thing to do takes tremendous courage. Whether the issue is the tragedy in New York City, or a loved one's migraine, the challenge is to decide whether or not we have the right to be happy. Is our life enough?

Last month's discussion of being "In the Zone" is pretty meaningless if we don't have the courage to face our own lives first and foremost. Getting caught up in someone else's life is so much easier. Weeping for someone else's pain is so much less traumatic than facing our own. That is why we create so much drama aorund us. Drama is pretty wonderful sometimes and compelling most all of the time. It is a choice though, and one we have complete control over in spite of the events we observe, often from considerable distance.

In order to live out of the center of our being, to be "In the Zone," we do need to be brave enough to tend to our own lives, to choose to be who we are and experience the pure joy of that state of being. True compassion comes from seeing the pain of others, in fact all experience of others, as expressions of perfection in action, just like our experiences have always proven to be. Those events may appear dire and tragic but, in the long run, they prove to be just what was needed in the development of the whole person. True compassion comes out of unconditional love. It sees the wholeness of a manifestation, looking beyond just the surface to reveal the meaning and purpose which is always there.

Putting this vision into action is the work of courageous people. Inspiring peace is not for wimps it seems. Standing up to be counted in the face of the Rush Limbaughs of the world and proclaiming an ethic of forgiveness and love is no mean feat. For me, the act of a "real man" is to choose to be happy even though there is suffering in the world. Should my turn come around once again, and I face painful events in my life, I hope you make this same choice and inspire me again to be happy, when I finally choose to once more.

Self-Awareness Through Astrology - Astrological services

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