I got enthused to go to Eckart Tolle recently for some spiritual present-moment fuel. He said something fascinating which I’d never put it into quantitative terms before.
He spoke of how individuals are inclined towards a certain amount of form (practical, material, action, doing) and a certain amount of spaciousness (being, sensing, noticing, observing, in present moment, in their bodies).
Most of the world is geared towards form – hard work being applauded, busyness and stress being badges of honour, action and doing as paths to success. Spiritual practices including prayer, meditation, being in nature, body-mind movement practices, some processes of writing or art are about being and some parts of the world honour these as much as form.
There is no right or wrong about how much time to spend in each, but it helps to know what you need. And BOTH are needed.
I have a greater need for spaciousness than the average person. As a result, some people assume I must have it easy in life to appear so calm and handle challenges as I do. It’s funny to me that they can’t see that I have a different operating system and it needs what it needs to experience the level of quality that is important to me. I don’t get it right all the time, but taking on someone else’s operating system would be hazardous to my health.
Are you operating on someone else’s definition of the amount of form or spaciousness you need?
This is a piece I refer to as the lifestyle or business model in my coaching work. It’s absolutely essential to define so that a client isn’t being pushed to go against their true nature. Instead they are shown to use their inner guide of balance to find what works best and creates fulfillment while expanding their ability to go beyond old patterns.
What percentage of form and spaciousness is ideal for you? Mr. Tolle prefers 80% spaciousness – a unique individual indeed, and what made him the genius he is in the field of spiritual teachings.
