Transforming Fear, Embodying Aliveness

Last week, I had the honor of facilitating an experiential evening for men on the subject of liberating sexuality and spirituality. Seventeen men attended; men of different ages, races, and sexual orientations, all interested in becoming more free, alive, and empowered.

In our culture, we often hear of men being emotionally guarded and distant, wearing the "look strong and in control" mask, and competing for status and power, among plenty of other strategies and stereotypes. However, this evening, the men who attended decided to step out of the game and show up authentically, vulnerably, and powerfully. Men shared their fears, their shame, their desires, their stories, and their doubts. They revealed intimate details around their sexuality and spirituality in a real and courageous way. I left that night feeling a deep sense of hope and possibility, tasting a glimpse of the kind of world that we can create when we choose to embrace our humanness, reveal ourselves, and take action towards who and how we want to be.

One part of the evening focused on how we make the essential shift from fear to fullness, from our doubts, insecurities, denial, and shame to power, play, passion, aliveness, and desire. I believe that we make that shift through embodied practice and integration, as opposed to through theories, philosophies, and mental concepts. Rather than talk about what to do and how to it, or emphasizing techniques, it is vital to have the energy, movement, and essence presenced in the emotional, physical, and spiritual. We're not simply thinking ourselves to a new way of being; we're being ourselves to a new way of being.

We can do this in different ways: through breath, sound, movement, energy, touch, sensory engagement, invocation, prayer, and physical practice. Using these forms, we invoke the outcome in the present moment. We use the breath to open and free the body. We use movement to shift habits and stuck energy. We use sound to express and call in our desire. We use energy to give us more vitality and power.

As we do these practices, we shift and transform. Sometimes we come up against the kinks that have stood in our way, and the process feels difficult. Sometimes we experience greater ecstasy and aliveness.

Witnessing the men doing some of these practices, the energy shift in the room was palpable. The air became thicker and electrified, emotions became stronger, the men became more present and connected. In a short time, the room became more alive, and the transformation began. Always, in the long run, we free ourselves, become more open and alive, and connected to source and essence.