I’m not talking about the chest-pounding bravado type of strength we’ve seen on playing fields, courts or in our gyms, gangs, board rooms or war rooms. These have had their time and place and I honor them for the part they’ve played in human evolution.

I am talking about the inner strength of the Divine Masculine. Largely dormant for eons, this ancient form of inner strength is being called forth now from our Souls. While I’ve known about it and have explored it, I’m beginning to understand its value to me and the world. This aspect of the mature masculine rises from deep within each of us when ego’s fears are neutralized; when guilt, shame and other manifestations of our perceived separateness cease to dictate that flight or fight are our only options.

In my immature state I was terrified of the dark, even as an adult. The turning point for me in releasing this fear came when I recognized that my fear of darkness in the physical was a metaphor for fearing my own dark side. From childhood I was warned constantly about my inner darkness: “Your temper will get you into real trouble someday, son.”  It did!

To discover my inner strength I’ve had to learn to allow the voice of my dark side to speak to me and teach me about its purpose. It said: “Your fear of me is very painful. I come to you to help you find the light within you through contrast. When you honor me this contrast will diminish in intensity.” I took that voice to heart and came to understand that the rage I felt as a young man was born of being conditioned to fear this dark part of myself, my mean streak, my rush to judgment, my self-doubt.

I’ve been privileged to undergo processes to free me from fear’s conditioned responses. I was led to people, groups and gatherings of fellow seekers and sharers of ancient wisdom. We learned through trial and error to explore the spaces within us where the Divine Masculine lay dormant, awaiting its return to Earth. The strength of the mature masculine emerged when we embraced and honored our fears as great teachers. Then we became free and open to the guidance of our own Sacred Hearts and Souls.

After many trials and tests of courage a light began to shine from within each of us. It healed our wounds and we had less need to act out angrily. We claimed ownership of the Divine Masculine, earning the right to express its strength. In true brotherhood, we had no further need to fight external wars. Its strength lives in each human being whether in a masculine or feminine body. It’s a powerful way of being human. It’s expressed uniquely by each of us. For me, it’s expressed through tenderness and compassion. The role of the Divine Masculine is to support the creativity and nurturing of the Divine Feminine within each of us. When these two aspects of ourselves are honored as equals, they come into balance and sustainable new forms emerge.   

The strength of the mature masculine in each of us is needed during the turbulence and uncertainties we experience in today’s world. We are approaching the end of the age of our perceived separateness and I’m reminded that it’s always darkest just before the dawn.

The dream of WE is fulfilled when the Divine Masculine rises again to wed the Divine Feminine. Celebrating their long-awaited reunion, we return to our original way of being human, where in balance we manifest a beautiful New Earth.

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With publication of this Blog, the 24th of 2016, I have fulfilled my promise to myself to write from and express things I’ve learned from my journeys inward. I’ve enjoyed sharing with the world a few highlights and learnings from my travels. I am very grateful to my readers from around the world who have encouraged and challenged me and the ideas I’ve expressed. In 2017 I expect to write one Blog per month, probably a bit longer and more in depth. On 1.15.17 I intend to post a blog on my thoughts about community. In 2017 I also expect to publish my book of inspirational fiction, Eyes in the Mirror: everything changed when he met his Soul.    

I’ve come across many meaningful books, stories and statements while traversing the inner and outer landscapes of my life’s journey. Among the most impactful is this statement by Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”  It rings true for me. Like Socrates, I too trust that the expansion of self-awareness arising from self-examination is crucial to my fulfillment: expansion. Without self-examination and adjustment I am likely to repeat the subconscious fear-based patterns of ego’s conditioning. These patterns tend to create anxiety and turmoil in my life. Self-examination provides me time and space to bring these patterns to the light of my awareness. Light dissolves these patterns that limit the expression of my Essence: tenderness and compassion. When these patterns are dissolved my life is often infused with ease and grace and fun. 

I engage in self-examination regularly. Since my thoughts and feelings create my experiences, I take readouts from them to examine. I celebrate experiences of connecting and make adjustments to my thoughts and feelings when I encounter unpleasant feelings of separateness. This process ensures that I am constantly expanding. Almost every year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, I take time to reflect on the year. I’ve learned to have fun with these processes.  Now, I can even laugh at my entrenched patterns because I see the foolishness of thinking I’m separate from anyone or anything. 

This year I’m reflecting on loyalty. I’ve attempted being loyal to other people, my career, country, organizations, beliefs and sports teams.  But all these are changeable, as are all things physical, including me. I’ve found that when my loyalty is outwardly focused, it is often divided and goes in different directions. I feel confused, conflicted and frustrated. I’m uncomfortable.

Then I remember that my discomfort is the harbinger of growth. When I openly embrace my discomfort, I no longer fight it or flee from it. I hear an inner voice: “To thine own self be true! Be loyal to your Soul and its purpose to expand your self-awareness.” What does that mean? “It means know yourself, know that you are the embodiment of your Soul. Your Soul is the divine aspect of you that remembers that you are one with all things and you are here to unite spirit and flesh.”

I do my best to answer the Delphic oracle’s call to “Know Thyself.” There’s always something wonderful to explore in my Soul. It knows everything about me, its design for my life and the physical experiences I’m creating along the way. Once I began to answer this call, my loyalty to myself became unwavering. I feel secure knowing that my heart’s fondest desires already exist and I can set intentions for my inner growth in the up coming year. I carry on knowing that I am the meeting place of Heaven and Earth. I am on the Earth but not of it.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that I am expanding faster and growing wiser.  To this process I am loyal.