Receiving... what if it isn't just one thing...

The other day I had the opportunity to reflect on receiving... for like the millionth time.  I was creating content for my Body Wisdom Healing Intensive, Returning to Center... so I had to stick with it even when I couldn't figure out what to say about it.  I struggle so much with the concept of receiving.

It's the worst sort of circle... the one where I start with a good intention... receiving happiness, or joy, or a compliment, or really anything at all that feels good... and then I hit resistance.  Instead of stepping back and questioning resistance I tend to fight with it... and eventually I lose and end up with my head in my hands wondering how broken you have to be to push away happiness/joy/pleasure.

And then... the Muse opened a channel... and there it was.  Receiving isn't easy because PARTS of it aren't easy.  Check this out...

Maybe receiving isn't one thing... but many things.  Maybe, if I looked at it as separate types of receiving I could find my way.  (Note: these are not mutually exclusive categories, and this is a question-posing exercise... I don't have answers... so... um... only keep reading if you are cool with that.)

1.  Social:  We are interact with others through the giving and receiving of attention.  It includes chatting about the weather, social niceties, and small talk.

2.  Emotional: This is our sense of connection with others... it can come from social receiving, but includes the sense that we are not alone, that we can see our kindred spirits in others.

3.  Mental:  This is the transfer of knowledge or information.  Generally this happens within our institutions... and it reinforces an established hierarchy.   Someone has the knowledge or information and imparts it to someone who does not have it.

4.  Spiritual: Our relationship with ourselves and our connection to all other living beings, including that which is bigger than us.  The details of HOW you do this is unimportant in this context, what IS important is THAT you have this. 

Let me tell you why Spiritual Receiving is my saving grace...

Social, Emotional, and Mental receiving always involves another human being.  This creates a situation in which fear is a constant companion.  I'm going to venture that all of us have experienced some kind of betrayal, question of our worthiness, or general trauma in these kinds of interactions.  If someone else is involved, we simply cannot control the situation such that we can always trust it.  It makes receiving, an act of trust, very difficult if there is fear and protection involved.

There is nothing wrong with fear, or protection.  Both, when utilized at the appropriate times keep us safe.  If we're new to receiving, though, they also keep us from being able to receive.

And then there's Spiritual Receiving.  Thank all that is holy.  Because this... this is where our receiving is all about us.  We have complete control.  There is not another unpredictable human in the mix with their own baggage to dump on us... it is just us and spirit.  

You can find Spirit lots of places... and whatever gets you connected is perfect... nature, church, an altar, a candle, meditation, prayer... it's all good.  Do you know where you find your sense of connection?  Where is Spirit?  How much time do you spend there?

To be clear, the goal is not to rid ourselves of fear and protection... but for them to stick to their job of blocking danger... not blocking our reception of some of the greatest gifts of connection in our lives.

I know this because this year I'm actively relying on my connection with Spirit to help me clear up confusion in my receiving through relationship.  Yes, I said year.  It's nowhere near over.  It may be stretched before me for many years still.  But it's so worth it.  I have had such great joy from the connections I'm building as I reach into those vulnerable edges with someone I love and trust... and I come out happier, more connected, and more willing to play on that edge again.

Because I can receive from Spirit, in a way that is safe and trustworthy, I know that I can both have good receiving experiences AND move slowly in relationship with others. This is how I take tiny steps toward big healing.  For me it's the easiest way.