OPENNESS

Part IV of V – See related stories

Without openness, nothing can be given or re-given, and nothing can be received. Openness is the quality of being receptive, transparent, honest and sincere, unlike lightness, which appears, disappears and travels forward. By remaining open, we become the gateways.

 “Have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing” – 

Tilopa

Because we must remember that FLOW is the key and root word of our work, we must remain open to let life unfold. We should not cling to our positions, to our successes, to the spotlight upon us. There is a time to dance, a time to shine, a time to rest, and a time to return. Unfortunately, most of us resist these transitions. We fear change, yet change is flow. To float on water, we must let go, release the tension, spread our arms and legs wide open and trust ourselves. The path of least resistance is not an easy one to follow. It is full of gradients so we must always remain open to sample the unknown.

Today, many view openness as being able to say yes to everything sadly it creates a more extreme approach to living, which eventually creates conflict instead of harmony. A year of saying yes was a great idea. But just like all antithesis, some people decided to rebuke it with a year of saying no. Again, the duality in which our brains function makes it so. Balance is always key. All the mystics, philosophers, prophets of ancient and present times have spread that wisdom. There will still be a new system, a new “Get Rich Fast!” type of self-help motivation book. Just like the sun and moon follow their rhythms, so must we follow our own. We too often all get caught up in the lives of others — Maybe they have the master key that opens all gates. You are here, no? I don’t take myself so seriously that I become blind to my intentions. For me, this blog is an idea that I am finally actualizing. In the midst of honing on my writing skills, I use my voice to serve others.

Openness is being able to receive criticism gracefully, without resistance, with humility, and being able to re-give love and understanding. It requires you to make more space to hold a dialogue and receive another’s point of you. The more open we are, the more boundless we become. The kind of open vessel where abundance and transparency never ceases.

Thirty spokes share the wheel’s hub;
It is the center hole that makes it useful.
Shape clay into a vessel;
It is the space within that makes it useful.
Cut doors and windows for a room;
It is the holes which make it useful.
Therefore profit comes from what is there;
Usefulness from what is not there.

LAO TZU

At the height of cultivation, this openness may transcend into the formless. But first, you are fundamentally human. Remember that you must be useful, that becoming the gateways comes with significant responsibilities. To be open is to be whole, and to be whole you must know how to grow down.

Be well,

Our next word and topic:

WHOLENESS is “re-membering” and fully re-integrating all the parts you thought were severed.

Forgiveness
Lightness
Openness
Wholeness

Natasha Jean Bart