Author: Katelyn

In the balance of our inner divine masculine and divine feminine, lies the profound question: Who are we, if not both the storm and the calm?

Hello Beautiful Souls, I’m glad you are here.

Often throughout history the masculine and feminine have been seen as separate and sometimes in opposition of one another. As gender roles and gender identity shift it is important to reflect on how these divine energies are impacting our inner worlds.

It’s important to note when discussing divine masculine and divine feminine I am not speaking about gender, it is different to male and female. Each energy lies within all of us – just as all things in nature have a duality so do we.

I have written this article as it’s important to reflect and be aware of the balance of energy we have. If we can learn to balance and embrace both divine energies, this empowers us to feel inner peace and strengthen our confidence and authenticity, by being more in touch with our true selves. It also gives us the power to improve our interactions and relationships with others. It even has a collective impact on the world around us.

• Redefine Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine Energies
• Historical and Modern Perspective
• Recognising Imbalances in Energies
• Strategies for Harmonizing Divine Energies
• Healing Blockages in Divine Feminine Energy
• Healing Blockages in Divine Masculine Energy
• Benefits of Balancing your Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine Energies
• The Collective Impact of Harmonizing Divine Energies.
• Final Thoughts

Redefine Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine Energies

When we each hear the words masculine and feminine I’m sure we each have our own understanding and beliefs around these words. The definition of these words might mean different things because of culture, family or societal impacts on us as we form these opinions.

In this context, divine masculine and divine feminine actually refers to representations of different aspects of human experience and consciousness, like different qualities, traits and characteristics. These experiences lie outside of gender, how we were born and how we identify.

Historical And Modern Perspectives

Throughout history, the concepts of divine masculine and divine feminine energies have been present in cultural narratives, spiritual traditions and philosophical theories across the world. Ancient civilizations honoured the balance between these energies, embodying them in their deities, myths and societal roles, illustrating a deep understanding of their significance in maintaining harmony within the individual and the community.

Over the centuries, shifts in cultural patterns have led to an imbalance, with divine masculine qualities being overly emphasised in many societies. This imbalance has led to a disconnection from nurturing, intuitive and creative aspects.

Currently, we are witnessing a rebalancing of these energies again. It’s not only about gender equality and understanding gender identity in a new, open way. But it’s also increased knowledge and understanding of the need for each of us to have a more balanced energy.

Example: we have seen a shift in attitudes towards traditional gender roles. Men are now more accepted in nurturing and empathic roles, taking on more domestic responsibilities, and the harmful “boys don’t cry” mentality is being challenged.

Additionally, there is a growing recognition of women’s need for balance in their work and family lives, less pressure to become mothers, and more encouragement to be independent and strong.

Recognising Imbalance in Energies

Strategies for Harmonizing Divine Energies

Unblocking and healing our divine masculine and divine feminine energies is so important. But, how do we balance these divine energies?

Meditation – Regular mindful meditation allows you to connect with yourself and reflect on the balance between the two energies and how they are impacting you.
For additional assistance try a heart-opening ceremony using ceremonial cacao.

Journaling – Reflective journaling can help you discover and monitor any blockages in energy and notice how this is impacting you, your relationships and your life.

Movement – engaging in movement can be helpful. A mix of calming and connective movements like yoga or tai chi, helps embrace the smooth and nurturing feminine energy, and strength and weight training, to connect with assertive and powerful masculine energy.

Goal Setting and Visualisation – This is a great activity for balancing energy as it allows the intuitive and reflective feminine energy to create the goals and the structured and assertive masculine energy to work together.

Healing Blockages in Divine Feminine Energy

If you specifically feel you have a blockage in Divine Feminine Energy, you can also try:

Expressing yourself creatively – writing, painting, craft, movement, poetry…the list is endless.

Practising empathy in a healthy way – don’t people please! – You can empathise with someone without getting caught up in their issues or going out of your way to please or help them…leading to the next point.

Setting boundaries and protecting your energy – ensuring you have clear boundaries and you know what you will and won’t put up with or how far you will go to help. Check out my other article on protecting your energy for more tips.

Claim your space – As discussed above, feminine energy has had a more negative connotation within many cultures. This has often led to women feeling they need to dim their light and be apologetic for these feminine traits. Claim your space. Take up space. Be unapologetically YOU!

Healing Blockages in Divine Masculine Energy

If you specifically feel you have a blockage in Divine Feminine Energy, you can also try:

Become comfortable in your skin – Get connected to your body. Do mindful body scans, take care of your skin, and do a bit of self-care and pampering (no one has to know).

Be more accountable and take ownership – An imbalanced masculine energy can get pretty stubborn. To keep it balanced it can be healthy to reflect when you might be digging your heels in and take accountability for actions taken, words said.

Develop self-trust and intuition – Often divine masculine energy can disconnect us from our intuition and our ability to trust our gut instincts. Try to take more time when needing to make decisions and listen to what your body is telling you. Learn to trust yourself again.

Tune into your emotions – Emotional detachment can be hard to overcome because it can be easier and comfortable not to feel negative emotions. but tuning in, allowing yourself to feel the emotion in your body and finding healthy ways to express your emotion (through talking, exercise, writing or scream into a pillow if needed).

Benefits of Balancing your Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine Energies

It is so important to be aware of and work on balancing the yin and yang energies within us for so many reasons. One of the most important reasons is it provides you with the best chance at being the best version of yourself, balanced, authentic and calm.

Embrace Wholeness

Imagine being able to be your true self, without judgment from yourself or worry of other’s opinions. Having a positive and healthy balance between these energies allows us to be our authentic selves, as we accept and love who we are. The good and the bad, we are present and integrated.

Enhancing Relationships

When we love and respect ourselves it also gives us the ability to, more deeply, love and respect others. This understanding and acceptance provides a safe space for those within the relationship to express themselves and receive understanding.

Strengthen Manifestations

Divine feminine energy helps us to explore our inner world and be more in touch with spiritual connections, needs and desires. For this reason, using our feminine energy to manifest and visualise our desired outcomes can strengthen the manifestation process. Divine masculine energy being more about movement and action is the part of us that then takes steps towards bringing these manifestations to fruition.

Balance of Emotions

This kind of seems like an obvious one but with the divine masculine and divine feminine being emotional counterparts it would make sense that embracing both would provide a sense of balance. Divine feminine beings about processing and expressing our emotions. Whilst divine masculine is about stablilty and logic. The two of these together create a beautiful balance.

Flow and Creativity

Similar to strengthening our manifestations when masculine and feminine energy are in flow we are in flow and able to tap into our more creative side. Feminine energy is about creativity and inspiration, whereas, masculine energy is structured and focused. This allows us to have creative ideas and the ability to follow through.

Balanced in Decision Making

When these two energies are working in harmony within us it can make it easier to make decisions. As pointed out above, it provides us with a balance of emotional energy which can be harnessed to make the best decisions for us. Feminine energy provides us with intuition that helps us reflect on what we need and empathy to consider others when needed. Masculine energy helps to analyse and consider the consequences of decisions.

The Collective Impact of Harmonizing Divine Energies.

Achieving balance between divine masculine and divine feminine energies can lead to a society that values empathy, creativity, and cooperation over judgment, competition, and conformity. Harmonizing our inner energies can create a more compassionate, creative, and connected community, from personal to professional interactions. It is a collective evolution towards a more balanced and inclusive world, empowering everyone to find their true power and potential.

Final Thoughts

Balancing our divine masculine and divine feminine energies can empower our lives, create flow within us and improve our relationships. Embracing these aspects of ourselves fosters balance, authenticity, and unlocks our potential, empowering us to thrive individually and collectively.

Take the journey towards inner harmony. Explore practices like meditation, journaling, movement, and setting goals for yourself. Embrace your divine energies to unleash your full power and contribute to a more compassionate world.

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Resources

Masculine and Feminine Energy Balance: How to Find True Inner Union (myspiritualshenanigans.blog)

The Collective Consciousness of Divine Masculine and Feminine Energies (linkedin.com)

Hello Beautiful Soul, recent studies are showing that mindful self-compassion plays an important role in building resilience.

In this article, we will explore how being compassionate to ourselves can increase our resilience and give you 8 practices to build self-compassion.

1. What is Resilience?
2. What is Mindful Self-Compassion?
3. Self-Compassion vs Mindful Self-Compassion
4. How Does Mindful Self-Compassion Build Resilience?
5. Ways to Practice Self-Compassion
6. Final Thoughts
7. Join The Community

What is Resilience?

Resilience is the ability to cope with and recover from setbacks. People who remain calm in the face of disaster have resilience¹. Resilience is like having a reserve of well-being and strength that you can call on in difficult times to help you stay strong.

Resilience is something that can be developed, but it can also decrease under prolonged stress. This is good news as it means we can develop and increase it. There are a lot of factors that can impact resilience including;

• Our internal world; self-esteem, determination, flexibility, forgiveness, optimism, a sense of purpose and meaning and of course, self-compassion.
• Our external world; personal relationships, support networks, external motivating factors (something to get out of bed for) and community sense of connection and understanding.

What is Mindful Self-Compassion?

Mindful self-compassion is that understanding friend who says, “It’s okay, you’re doing your best,” when we stumble. When we practice self-compassion, we’re essentially extending the same kindness, understanding, and patience we offer to our closest friends, to ourselves.

Self-Kindness: At the heart of mindful self-compassion is self-kindness. This element encourages you to treat yourself with the same warmth and gentleness you’d offer to a dear friend. It’s about being understanding and patient with yourself, especially when life throws challenges your way. Instead of self-criticism, it’s like giving yourself a comforting hug, saying, “It’s okay, I’m here for you.”

Common Humanity: This part reminds you that you’re not alone in your experiences. It’s the recognition that as humans, we all make mistakes, face difficulties, and have moments of vulnerability. Common humanity helps you understand that your struggles are shared by others, fostering a sense of connection and compassion for yourself and those around you.

Mindfulness: Mindfulness is like the glue that binds the other elements together. It involves being fully present and aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. It’s about observing your emotions as they come, without trying to change them or criticize yourself for having them. Mindfulness helps you stay in the moment, promoting a healthier perspective on your experiences.

Self-Compassion vs. Mindful Self-Compassion: What’s the difference?

How does Mindful Self-Compassion Build Resilience?

‘There is growing evidence that self-compassion is an inner resource that promotes resilience’². The research done by Austin and his team shows that the elements involved in self-compassion, such as; mindfulness, self-kindness, and common humanity assist in building short and long-term resilience.

Consider this example:

Using the example above: the self-compassionate response and outcome show that self-kindness allows you to bounce back with resilience, enabling you to learn from the experience and adapt for the future.

Resilience, in this context, is your ability to not only weather the storm but to emerge from it stronger. Mindful self-compassion nurtures that inner strength by helping you regulate your emotions effectively, maintain a positive outlook, and seek support when needed.

Ways to Practice Self-Compassion Everyday

1. Self-Kindness: Treat yourself with kindness, like you would a dear friend. Replace self-criticism with self-encouragement and understanding.
   
2. Mindfulness: Cultivate mindfulness by being present with your thoughts and emotions without judgment. It helps you respond to difficulties with greater clarity and self-compassion.
   
3. Common Humanity: Understand that everyone faces challenges and makes mistakes. Recognize that your struggles are part of the shared human experience, fostering connection and empathy.
   
4. Self-Comforting Language: Use soothing and compassionate language when you talk to yourself. Replace negative self-talk with words of comfort and reassurance.
   
5. Journaling/Self-Compassionate Writing: Write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Use this space to express self-compassion, acknowledge your experiences, and explore self-kindness.
   Read more about how to start journaling.
   
6. Practice Self-Validation: Acknowledge your emotions without judgment. Validating your feelings helps you accept them and respond with kindness and understanding.
   
7. Set Realistic Expectations: Set achievable goals and expectations for yourself. Avoid perfectionism and embrace the idea that it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them.
   
8. Self-Care: Dedicate time for self-care activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Whether it’s reading, taking a bath, practising a hobby, or simply enjoying a cup of tea, self-care nourishes your soul and fosters self-compassion.

Final Thoughts

In a world where we often push ourselves to the limits, practising mindful self-compassion emerges as a vital tool in our resilience toolkit. It’s the understanding friend who stands by us when life throws its curveballs, reminding us that it’s okay to stumble and that in vulnerability, there is strength.

Resilience isn’t about never facing adversity; it’s about navigating those challenges with grace and emerging even stronger on the other side. And mindful self-compassion is the key that unlocks this inner strength.

So, as you embark on your journey of self-compassion, remember that it’s okay to be kind to yourself, to acknowledge that you’re not alone in your struggles, and to stay present in your own life story. With mindful self-compassion, you’re not just building resilience; you’re cultivating a kinder, more compassionate relationship with yourself—a gift that keeps giving, no matter what life brings your way.

Join the community for support

Join me and other self-compassionate warriors by signing up to the newsletter and be kept up to date with more articles. Also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook!

Resources

1. Horn SR, Feder A. Understanding resilience and preventing and treating PTSD. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2018;26(3):158-174. doi:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000194 ↩︎
2. Austin, J., Drossaert, C.H.C., Bohlmeijer, E.T. (2023). Self-Compassion as a Resource of Resilience. In: Finlay-Jones, A., Bluth, K., Neff, K. (eds) Handbook of Self-Compassion. Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22348-8_10 ↩︎

How to Practice Self-compassion for Resilience and Well-being (utah.edu)

What is Self-Compassion?

Self-Compassion Makes Life More Manageable (verywellmind.com)

Hello Beautiful Souls and Goal-Getters!

I’m sure we have all had that experience where you have set new goals for yourself and there’s plenty of determination and motivation. Then after a few day or weeks (maybe even hours) all that passion has drained. So the question is: how to achieve your goals? How do you keep the motivation? With New Years having just been and gone I’m sure we all some resolutions or goals in mind for 2024 but by the end of January the motivation is already waned or gone. Today we will dive into a secret recipe to achieve your goals every time. Lets dive in and start feeling the success of our goals achieved.

Why Goals Alone Don’t Cut It

Please don’t get me wrong in thinking I’m telling you not to set goals at all. Not the case! Goals are very important in life. They help to give you direction and meaning, taking the daily grind to new heights.

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”

– Tony Robbins

However there are a number of issues with setting goals, especially those we set and forget.

Goals don’t equal your success

Merely setting a goal doesn’t guarantee the desired outcome. Like many things in life, it requires effort. Goals, even S.M.A.R.T. ones (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-limited), don’t provide a daily roadmap to the end result. This can result in a lack of motivation due to the enormity of the task, leading us to give up most of the time.

Momentary change no consistency

Goals, especially the ambitious ones, often demand an extreme change in lifestyle or habits, which is not always sustainable. This sudden change can lead to a quick burnout, as it may not be consistent with your current life patterns or rhythm. Hence, the motivation fades quickly, leading to abandonment of the goal.

Implies happiness is in the future not now

Goals can often create the illusion that happiness or fulfilment is just around the corner, waiting for us once we’ve achieved our objectives. This mindset can cause us to overlook the joy and contentment that can be found in our day-to-day lives, as we’re always looking ahead to the future. It can also lead to disappointment if we achieve the goal and happiness isn’t in the end result, or we inevitably realise there is another goal to go on with.

Doesn’t allow space for long-term achievement and evolution.

Setting goals and working towards them can often feel like you are only working towards a distant future, not leaving room for growth and development in the present. The focus on the end result can sometimes halt the process of evolution and long-term achievement.

Whether it’s a large, long-term goal or a small, short-term one, systems can help you create a pathway to success, overcoming the pitfalls of goal setting.

The Magic of Systems

This is where systems strut onto the stage. Unlike goals, systems are the daily habits and routines that nudge you closer to your dreams. It’s like the GPS, guiding you through each turn, to the outcome you want. James Clear, in his book “Atomic Habits,” nails it: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Spot on, James!

Recommended read: Atomic Habits by James Clear.

Why Systems Work:

Consistency Over Intensity:

Systems prioritize regular action, where goals focus on outcomes. By taking our goals and breaking them down into small action steps then adding those steps into our lives in a systematic way is much more manageable than going from 0-100.

For example: if your goal is to start regular exercise – 5 days a week for 30 minutes each morning. Jumping from no exercise to this regimen could lead to exhaustion, overwhelm, loss of motivation, and eventually giving up. However, if you implement a systematic approach, you can gradually build up to your desired outcome. You could start with 10 minutes a day, 2-3 times a week, and slowly increase from there. In doing so, you’ve already achieved success.

Adaptability:

Systems are inherently flexible, allowing for adjustment and resilience in the face of change.

Continuing with the previous example: what if your life commitments change and you can’t exercise 5 days a week for 30 minutes as planned? Do you abandon the goal because you can’t keep up? With a system-based approach, the aim is simply to increase your exercise. This could mean less time but more days, or fewer days but more time. Your system can adapt to your lifestyle, making it flexible and sustainable.

Measuring Progress:

Systems enable real-time tracking of progress, offering regular feedback and motivation.

Keeping with the exercise goal: You have already achieved your goal by increasing, no matter what increasing looks like. Therefore, you can feel a sense of accomplishment early, increasing motivation rather than decreasing it. If you wait until your at your goal of 5 days a week for 30 minutes you won’t have the motivation of success to help you along.

How to Achieve your goals: Step-By-Step Guide:

1. Define Your Lifestyle: It’s really important to consider your lifestyle; your routines, habits, and daily activities. Your systems should fit seamlessly into your lifestyle to maximize effectiveness. Not be an unmanageable burden.
   
2. Remember your why: Understand what is important to you. Why is it worth putting these goals into your daily life. Keep a reminder of these visible and ease to remind you everyday; create a vision board, post-it notes, your phone/desktop wallpaper.
   
3. Set Your Priorities: If you have more than one goal you are working on identify what areas in your life need improvement or attention, and set these as your priorities.
   
4. Develop Small, Manageable Tasks: Break down your priorities into small, manageable tasks. This can make the system seem less daunting and easier to follow.
   
5. Plan for Consistency: Incorporate these tasks into a daily or weekly routine. Consistency is key in making a system work. If you are someone who doesn’t do well with routine that ok too, don’t be too restricting – if you can’t do it the same time everyday, just make it consistent and do it sometime that day.
   
6. Monitor Your Progress: Regularly check in with your progress. This can help you stay motivated and let you adjust the system if needed. Habit tracking and journaling your progress can be really helpful.
   
7. Seek Continuous Improvement: Always look for ways to improve the system. The goal is to make the system better and more efficient over time. Keep moving the outcome goal post if needed.
   
8. Stay Flexible: Life changes, and your system should be able to adapt with it. Flexibility is crucial in maintaining a system that aligns with your lifestyle and values.

Final Thoughts

Commonly we ask ourselves how to achieve our goals. Goals are the destination, but systems are the journey – and let’s be honest, the journey is where the magic happens. By focusing on building effective systems, you’re setting yourself up for sustainable success. Switching to a systems mindset does wonders for your mental health. Systems take away the focus on the deadlines, brings focus to the now, and the steps it takes for success. This shift reduces stress and makes the process a lot more fun allowing for sustained motivation. Remember, it’s the little things done consistently that lead to massive results.
So, let’s start building those systems and turn those dreams into reality!

Resources:

Clear, James. Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Habits and Break Bad Ones. Penguin Random House, 2018