Leaping Forward By Stepping Back - by James Arthur Ray

Leaping Forward By Stepping Back

Quantum theory asserts all matter is energy. Let's go a step further and explore this idea: Energy is all that matters.

The great spiritualists all knew what scientists have only recently proven. The force that moves through us, enlivening our successes, exciting our passions, soothing our souls... the same sub-microscopic force powering photons and atoms... it's all energy in one form or another.

How We Experience and Expend Energy

In gross terms, energy exists on two levels for us: the conceptual and the practical. It's collected on the conceptual plane and expended on the practical one. Eastern tradition might call the practical aspect yang, where we focus on physical and mental activity, and the conceptual aspect yin, where we experience our deeply emotional and spiritual selves. In psychological terms, we can call the practical ego and the conceptual superconscious.

So many of us are laser focused on doing (the practical/yang/ego) that we don't regularly focus on stepping back and being (the conceptual/yin/superconscious). When we become too focused on exertion and neglect receptiveness and reflection, we can deplete our energy sources. We can become so hell-bent on yang that we don't even know the shape of yin any more.

Harmonizing the Yin and Yang

To the degree that you increase your personal velocity through the constant harmonizing of yang (activity) and yin (inactivity/receptivity), you will find your environment and your world will change.

Let your intuition be your guide:

1. If you passionately feel that something is right to do, do it passionately. If you are ambivalent or uncertain, wait. Take time each day to be alone and journey inside (yin).
2. Turn off "the plug-in drug" (a.k.a. the TV). This income and energy reducer transmits a constant stream of electrons right into your brain that can put you in a trance and dull your mind if you're not mindful of what you're watching.
3. Stop listening to and reading the news. The barrage of mayhem and sensationalism ultimately dulls the senses, limits creativity and suggests to us that we are totally out of control and unable to do anything about the world in which we live. It's OK to be informed of what's happening in the world but not inundated.
4. Take time to "be." We're called human beings not human doings. There's a good reason for this. Decide that this year that you're taking time for growth. Put it on your calendar. Inspiration comes from those moments of silence and contemplation, and you'll never run at highest octane with an empty tank.

The power to direct our own lives is not found by doing (yang). It's contacted by being (yin). That power is also known as Spirit. You cannot think your way to empowerment or enlightenment. While there are activities and learning that will advance you, ultimately you must go into the Silence to experience a profound awakening to Power/Spirit.

Pay Attention

Most of us in Western society are so busy talking to God that we never listen to God. What might happen if we stopped asking and instead started paying attention? In the final analysis, silent, undemanding prayer or meditation, whatever label we use, is the only answer to life's most important questions.

And for the dilemma of harmonizing our drive toward doing (expending energy constructively) with its absolutely necessary inverse of being (collecting spiritual energy)? Ultimately, stepping back is the only way to leap forward.

To your continued wealth and happiness,

James Arthur Ray
President/CEO
James Ray International