Over the past month, I have noticed an unusually high volume of change in my environment. It has been as if the lives of everyone around me were in a constant state of flux. Within this period, my family and friends have dealt with the death of loved ones; lost old jobs and accepted new ones; and made plans to relocate their families to other cities. All the while, I personally explored new places as I traveled to more cities during this time period than any other period in my recollection. Even the office building in which I work is under renovation!

Inspired by this atmosphere of change, I offer this entry as encouragement for whenever you encounter uncertainty in your own life. I dedicate this to my wife Kelley, who is actively riding the waves of change as we speak.

Life’s Chrysalis Moments - The Caterpillar and the Cocoon

The analogy of a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly best captures the feelings I have experienced throughout this process of personal transformation. I specifically recall scientists explaining that during the time just prior to entering the chrysalis stage (the cocoon), a caterpillar displays erratic behavior and exhibits the effects of “going crazy”. Whenever I picture a caterpillar “losing it”, it never fails to make me laugh; however, this description captures both the humor and awkwardness of my own chrysalis experience.

For months, I knew I was undergoing change. Have you ever felt like this? As I practiced meditating, and experimented with new affirmations and ways of using intention to direct my focus, I was growing – becoming, in consciousness, something that had not materialized in my life before. For the first time, I was deliberately letting go of emotions and thoughts that compelled me to try to control everything around me. This allowed Life Energy to flow through me, freely.

Still, there were several moments when I had no idea what was happening to me, which generated emotions akin to the erratic behavior of the “crazy” caterpillar. Despite the intensity and visceral nature of this process – feeling out there and vulnerable - it became clear to me that I had two options: I could resort to old familiar ways of responding to the unknown – including flashes of anxiety, fear and worry, and shutting off myself to unfamiliar feelings - or I could suspend the urge to interpret what was happening (instead choosing to just witness it); trust that Life operates in my favor (have faith); and practice remaining open to experience (breathing my way through it). I chose the latter.

What I Learned From the Cocoon

You may have guessed that I would like to share a few take-aways from my experience in hopes that they prove helpful for you.

Lesson 1: Don’t Go It Alone
Sharing as much of our experience as possible with others (including insecurities) deepens the personal learning. We won’t always understand everything! And being ok with that (including suspending the urge to analyze and interpret the meaning of everything) leads to emotional calmness and clarity.

Lesson 2: Everything is Energy
By viewing the things around me and the feelings within me as energy - Science 101 - I was able to shift the manner in which I respond to situations of uncertainty. For example, by remembering that matter (things you can see and touch) is just densely organized units of energy (molecules), and soundwaves are fast-moving units of invisible energy, I began to discern that we exist in a field of energy that vibrates at high and low frequencies (fast- and slow-moving).

I learned that you can influence the quality of the experience within your personal energy field by learning how your body receives and transmits energy. By using techniques like breath control, stretching, meditation/prayer, and physical exercise, you can manage your response to various emotions.

Lesson 3: Emotions Are Messengers
Emotions have a function - they point us in the direction where we are blocking the free-flow of energy within us. This limits our ability to experience fulfillment, defined as our full feelings of interconnectedness with everyone and everything in existence.

In my case, by allowing myself to feel all emotions, I received certain insights that I would not have otherwise perceived. As a result of the specific messages delivered by my emotions (i.e. calm = you have all that you need; all is well for you, anger = you are afraid something is going to go wrong in the future; you fear that Life has isolated you, leaving you vulnerable to pain), I became aware of my true feelings and where I needed to focus my attention (direct my energy) differently. Then, with gratitude for the clarity they offered, I released the emotions (detachment), deliberately directing them away from me.

Bottom-line:
Notice (be aware when you are feeling something)
Embrace (breathe deeply and experience sensations fully to receive the message)
Release (move on, letting go of any self-criticism or attachment to the message)

Bringing It Together

By breathing deeply, sharing my story, viewing everything as energy, and remaining open to my emotions, I deepened my awareness of extra-sensory abilities. I emerged from my chrysalis stage as a new being who compassionately relates with myself and others, essentially “born again”.

What transformative insights await you in your own personal cocoon? The process has been demystified! I invite you to dare to explore.

Your coach,

Marcus

Marcus is a Newfield Network trained Ontological Coach, which serves as an ideal vehicle to further realize his personal empowerment objectives. Marcus, his wife and four year-old-son live in New Jersey

He can be reached at marcus@blackandbrownnews.com