Moving toward the feminine

In this technologically advanced culture, we celebrate the masculine; we win at work, our games,  money and  war. The masculine mindset is objective, concise, direct, intense, and un-emotional. Execution is the key and to the victor goes the rewards: honor, privilege, and notoriety.

It’s epitomized in our culture to be masculine, for how else do we get all the things to have a supposed great life, to be significant, or to be celebrated? Many of today’s television series have characters whose first names are “Agent.” They’re unemotional, unapologetic experts who objectively handle their intense jobs with machine-like execution, powered by an endless source of confidence.

These shows are indicative of the values in our culture and many men and women align their identity in this way of being. They work endless hours gathering significance in the masculine mind set. They then go to the gym to exercise and expand this masculine image. With strong, developed bodies, they say nothing to each other as they pass through the locker room, viewing each other as potential adversaries rather than potential friends. As they relate to the others in their lives, they’re almost as disconnected, having objectified their love for pleasure and pride.

Although an excellent source of energy for survival, masculinity by itself is not an excellent source of a larger responsibility or a fulfilled life. One in this state can easily say,“I make good money, I drive a nice car, have a nice home, have a sexy spouse, take amazing vacations, eat great food, and our kids are well taken care of” And yet, in the midst of their own community: people do not have anywhere near the same advantage, eco-systems are failing, and it is common for people to take anti-depressants.  They themselves, despite their “success”, are not fulfilled and divorce is a common.

There’s something missing in their relationships but they’re not sure how to solve the issue for the core of masculinity is to be in control. The feeling that something is missing indicates a loss of control. Therefore, a common mistaken solution is more-more time at work, more prestige in their jobs, more money to spend, more materials to buy, more time at the gym. The cycle continues with people being bated by marketers as they entertain themselves with corporate-created realities, whose only focus is to perpetuate this misconception.

Progressive individuals who see this trend object to our masculine- dominated culture and believe that we must move to a more feminine energy focus, where we appreciate life, the virtues of acceptance, and the natural environment in every corner of the earth. A connection based reality means living in the now; there’s a higher calling of awareness that compels the observer to take responsibility for his or her own well being, of others, of future generations, and the planet.

However, to move in to a more feminine energy focus requires vulnerability. It requires a deeper connection and awareness of others. The risk is higher for pain but also higher for joy. The masculine mindset does not see value in this, for vulnerability equates to weakness and potential loss-but there is value. Tremendous value.

For when we’re no longer ashamed of being ourselves, when the deluge of perfection and the fallacy of success are dismissed as inefficient for the real expression of who we are, then we can begin to see what is so, rather than the marketed masculine ideal. And what is so is ourselves as we are: human, vulnerable, revealed, and emotionally open. Here we begin to see that in our imperfection, uniqueness, acceptance and love, we are enough. As one does become aware of this, the need for over-developed masculine energy construct; competition, war, materialism, pride and ego are diminished. Our values are now focused to a better quality of life for all in a sustainable way rather than a selfish race for the last bits of wealth and resources of a dying planet. Cultural expectations are washed clean and a vast diversity of individuals is not only discovered but celebrated instead of guarded against. The thought of helping nature, and others are not associated with loss but with a rich reward. We can see that in these actions, we will find wonder, connection, and love. Here we are complete.

Masculine energy is great against the perils of our existence but it is only part of the equation.To be complete, we must move to vulnerability, appreciation, responsibility, and a deeper fulfilled life. We must move toward the feminine.