Balance and Equality of the Masculine and Feminine
At some point, everyone on the awakening path must rebel, whether it is against their culture, society, family or own fairytale expectations.
You will never become your True Authentic Self without challenging the systems that asks you to be otherwise. Many people are leaving religious dogma to embrace their spirituality. Why is there such an upsurge in leaving mainstream religion to follow their path of the soul? Those who have spent time (as I have) in various New Age, or spiritual circles will know that conspiracy theory has always been present, but that the pandemic saw a huge acceleration, noticed by many. Spiritual people do not necessarily believe in conspiracy theroies but certainly have changed their belief in the way they look at religion, education, the money system, politics, 9-5 jobs in a whole new way.
Masculine and Feminine Energy
Sun and moon. Light and dark. Day and night. Inhale and exhale. There are binaries that exist in nature. They are each essential and fundamental for the existence of the other. These apparent opposites have real effects on our lives. Thinking, feeling and behaving according to the cultural expectations and norms that are held around these binaries.
An uneven balance that exists between the seemingly duality of feminine and masculine energeries, are of utmost importance. In society we are encouraged to elevate and honour the masculine energies while diminishing and undervaluing the feminine.
The essence of feminine energy to me is; emotional, nurturing, receptivity
The essence of masculine energy to me is; reasoning, strength and action
Both can be integrated into our beings both male and female of our human species. Are both these energies not required to live a full and balanced life? We are not talking here male and female genders, this is the expression of experiences involved in our lives. As you navigate ever-changing relationships between ourselves and others, keeping in mind the value, validity and ubiquitous presence of both these energies – how they influence you on a deep, emotional level – each will serve you well.
Femininity and masculinity are the multifaceted expressions and performance of gender in society. Gender is the expression in appearance, behaviour and language within a culture however; the energy within us can be expression of right or left side of our brains.
Despite the efforts and positive effects of feminism in our lifetimes and the leaps forward from the subservient and insignificant lives of women, equality is still not yet a reality. Insisting of the polarity between masculine and feminine energies within both men and women, correspondingly limits people from living the full range of a human experience with freedom. Boys from a young age are encouraged to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, take up roles that are stereotypical, objectify women. These gender stereotypes interconnect with race, class and circumstances, create a maze of identify issues in boys and me that must try to navigate to become ‘real men’. This unreasonable conviction that men who are masculine must be physically strong, assertive, unemotional providers who distance themselves from all that is feminine, does not allow men to honour the beauty of the feminine characteristic within themselves. Similarly, the media is selling girls and women’s value lies in their youth, beauty and sexuality and not in their capacity as leaders, reasonable thought and strength in their own convictions. Women are still seen to be receptive, docile, nursing mothers who acquiesce to the needs to men, and if not, seen as bitchy, bossy or nagging. It does not honour the beauty of the masculine qualities within themselves.
It is imperative to see and honour the inherent value and necessity of both masculine and feminine characteristics within everyone. In Eastern philosophy that believes the universe is created and made up of masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) energies that infuse all things. By learning to engage both these energies within each of us makes a person psychologically, emotionally and physical balanced.
How to find balance
Find the qualities that resonate with your essence and experiences aside from society’s expectations. Consider what aspects of the sacred feminine and sacred masculine (as opposed to traditional cultural conditionings); resonate with you in various areas of your life. Imbalance occurs when you focus on, or value, one type of sacred energy over the other.
Qualities of Sacred Feminine
Empathy, nurture, fluidity, softness, reception, openness, devotion, creativity, compassion, community, feelings, support, intuition, togetherness, understanding
Qualities of Sacred Masculine
Leadership, action, reason, logic, adventure, strength, firmness, loyalty, survival, confidence, focus, pride, honour, efficiency, power, caretaker
Are not all these qualities equally important to make up a whole and fulfilled human? We as females or males can learn to appreciate and integrate both qualities into our everyday lives to create harmony, health and freedom for all beings.
To internalize Lilith’s fairness, justice, bravery and believe in equality in all parts of our lives, gives us freedoms that may not be accepted in the eyes of those around us. Take a bite out of life from the apple of knowledge and enjoy daring activity to its fullest without fear of judgement, guilt or shame. You are the master of your own destiny.
As the invocational mantra of Jivamukti Yoga states: “May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words and actions of my life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all”
