The Power of Yes

In about 10 days, I will be at the Pacific ocean, facilitating a radical water ritual for women. This ritual offers the opportunity to let go of and release the old stories, beliefs, patterns, and pain that no longer serve who we want to be.

As this ritual approaches, I am reminded of previous rituals and workshops that I’ve either facilitated or participated in. I’m reminded of everything that begins to unfold prior to the actual event.

Last year’s water ritual:

For instance, in the days approaching last year’s Ritual of Letting Go, I began to hear story after story of really difficult things arising for the women committed to participating in the ritual.

There was the dramatic dissolution of a long-term relationship, pain-filled emotional patterns surfacing, and just extra-sticky doubt, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty arising in general.

Then, on the morning of the ritual itself:  a car tire was punctured, another car broke down completely, and just all kinds of crazy, unexpected things popped up making it difficult (impossible for one participant) to arrive at the designated time.

It was fascinating!

As the various stories began trickling in, prior to the drama of the day itself, I sent out the following email to the participants:

“The ritual has already begun.

In fact, the ritual begins the moment you commit to participating in it. I’ve spoken with several of you over the past couple of days and heard stories of really intense things coming up. This is normal. And to be expected.

You might be experiencing unusually difficult life challenges, or you might simply be feeling extra reactive and more easily triggered than normal. Whatever the case may be for you, stuff coming up is a good sign.

It means energy is already moving; the things that need to be released are coming to the surface. Take note of what is coming up for you and add it to your list of things to release.

Again, we are already in the ritual.”

The ritual (or workshop/group/marriage/whatever you are committing to) does not begin the day the ritual is actually performed. No, it begins the moment you say Yes.

Saying Yes opens the door.

Saying yes opens the door to transformation, to change, to that which is new, mysterious, and unknown.

Saying yes also opens the door to all which stands in the way of the transformation that needs to occur.

Threshold Guardians

My friend, Cynthia, calls all these things that arise when on the verge of transformation “Threshold Guardians.”

Note: While this is likely a common term, I first heard it from her, so she receives the credit. 🙂

Threshold Guardians can take many forms. Some include:

• feeling extra emotional, reactive and easily triggered;
• fear, anxiety, doubt, uncertainty, and yes, more fear arising;
• old, unresolved patterns surfacing (ex:  getting into fights over old stuff with your partner);
• being in a state of resistance and/or considering backing out of the thing*;
• weird life things happening (like your car breaking down, a child becoming sick, losing your keys last minute, etc).**;
• a vague sense of dis-ease or discomfort (a very very tricky Threshold Guardian);
• being in a state of distraction or overwhelm, of forgetting about it, being late, etc (another very tricky TG).

Disclaimers: 

*There are times/things that really aren’t right for us – it is often important to discern whether, for instance, the desire to back out is because the thing is truly not right for us or whether we are simply experiencing a very tricky Threshold Guardian.

**Again, it is a matter of discerning whether these circumstances are Threshold Guardians that need to be walked through or valid reasons for discontinuing this particular journey at this time.

Most of the time Threshold Guardians are there to help us reaffirm our Yes, our commitment to our own transformation.

They are rather like gateways (or initiations) we have to walk through so we can receive the healing and transformation we are requesting.

It is normal to be scared.

It is fine to resist those things that can transform and change us.

It is also proper to hold everything that is coming up with a certain lightness of perspective so that we can walk (or crawl, or hop!) through it in the best way possible.

We don’t have to like the Threshold Guardians.

We don’t have to skip through them with laughter and joy – although this may be the case at times (yay!).

Often, however, it truly is a matter of gritting the teeth, gathering ALL possible allies and skills, and just getting through it.

For example, a very common Threshold Guardian for me is wanting to back out of something last minute. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve prepared for something in a state of total resistance, overwhelm, and total hatred of EVERYONE and EVERYTHING only to arrive at the ritual or event and have it hold the exact medicine I needed.

In summary:

When we commit to participating in something (anything!) that has the potential to truly transform us in some way, stuff will come up.

While the nature of the stuff varies from person to person, the important thing is to retain some small fragment of perspective – perspective that reminds you that this is normal. This is to be expected.

And, that the very fact that stuff is coming up means the thing you have said Yes to does have the potential to change you in some way… which is what you want!

…at least I assume you are seeking transformation and healing; otherwise, why would you say Yes?… 🙂

Comment Magic:

I have so many stories I would love to share about the Threshold Guardians I have stepped through over the past few years. Maybe some day.

For now, what threshold guardians have you stepped through? I’d love to hear about something you committed to that brought up all sorts of stuff for you and how it resolved.

Of course, just saying ‘Hi’ is adored as well!

Photo credit: Schäferle from Pixabay