Each incarnation
has, at its core, one primary challenge. In the course of a lifetime, all of
one’s experiences are geared to learning the nature of this challenge. This
learning occurs on various levels; it is not simply black and white, or 1, 2,
3. It permeates our consciousness, and therefore, our day-to-day existence.
This primary pattern underlies all small situations, all large situations, and
everything in between. When the soul becomes aware of its opportunity in this
lifetime, one can begin to unravel, sometimes thread by thread, the nature of
this primary challenge. We can also say that the challenge is the lesson
currently trying to be mastered within the soul.
The primary lesson
that is learned through the various life experiences is not necessarily
difficult or arduous, although it may be. For some souls the lesson might be to
learn how to relax and be in joy.
Therefore, the lessons should not always be thought of as hard or
challenging, even though someone who is learning how to relax may find this a
challenging feat. Dropping all ideas, projections and expectations around what
the challenge looks like is a good idea. Then you can begin to observe
neutrally, within yourself, the reoccurring themes in your life.
The reoccurring
themes are undeniable; they show themselves to us over and over again. When a
soul is young and beginning the quest, the challenge is not as obvious. But as
one moves into adulthood, the challenge becomes more obvious, and even more
obvious in middle age, until it becomes undeniable. The sheer act of living and
being alive will bring us everything we need to learn. If we are open to this
learning, we can progress more smoothly. Through our willingness, we can learn
to accept the primary lesson that comes to us. If we do not like the lesson,
our levels of resistance will stall our progression and bring us greater levels
of pain.
While the soul has
one primary lesson to learn in this lifetime, we can also say the soul has one
primary purpose. As we fulfill that purpose, we can then accept the next level
of learning for which we are ready. In these accelerated times of change, the
soul has the opportunity to explore and learn whatever it needs to regarding
the primary lesson, as well as some sub-primary lessons which may reveal
themselves. You can accomplish a great deal as you weave this awareness into your practice of awakening.
The primary lesson reveals itself
to us as a negative or a challenge. See
if you can recognize yourself in the following descriptions. You may recognize
yourself in more than one, but there will be One Primary Challenge that you
revert to the most when you are in reaction to life. You will recognize that
you often react in the same way, over and over again.
The following are
primary challenges or lessons :
1. Self-deprecation –inferiority complex and low self-esteem. “I am unworthy.” “When I am right, no one
remembers, when I am wrong, no one forgets.”
2. Arrogance – an air of superiority that covers a feeling of low
self esteem and the fear that others will pass judgment and find them wanting. “I am so good at what I do that I make
others look foolish.” “I am afraid
others will see my weaknesses and not like me.”
3. Self-destruction – the act or motivation to harm oneself either
physically or emotionally out of a conscious or unconscious belief that life is
not worth living. “I cannot help myself
from drinking too much.” “I want to be
done with all of this.”
4. Greed – the experience of perpetual wanting or desiring, out of a
fear that there will not be enough to go around. “There is never enough for me.”
“I want more, more money, more things, more love, etc.”
5. Martyrdom – needless suffering, feeling like a victim in a
situation that is beyond one’s control and feeling like there is little that
can be done about it. “Look how you treat
me after all I have done for you.” “I always get the bad end of the deal.”
6. Impatience – a feeling of frustration or tension that comes from
the fear of missing out, and a feeling that there is not enough time. “I don’t have the time to wait for . . . .”
“I wish everyone would hurry up, they are holding me back.”
7. Stubbornness – taking a stand in the face of a real or imagined
opposition. Fear of change, not wanting to let go of one’s position. “It is my way or the high way.” “I am sticking to the way I have always done
it.”
Once you have begun to observe
yourself neutrally with awareness and self-respect and have identified either
one or two primary challenges, you can begin to invoke the positive pole of
each primary challenge. In order to neutralize the negative, we must learn what
the positive pole of the primary lesson is. By applying the positive pole to
your primary challenge, it is transformed. In the beginning, this is just a
mental process. Later, as you become more internally adept and know how to
“burn” the dross of reaction, real transformation happens.
Positive Poles of
Primary Challenges:
1. Self-deprecation—humility, humbleness
or modesty regarding one’s successes.
2. Arrogance—a good feeling and
pride about the value of one’s work, etc.
3. Self-destruction—sacrifice and
surrender, giving up something of value for the sake of the greater good.
4. Greed--appetite, a desire
for all that life has to offer.
5. Martyrdom—sacrifice, giving up to
others instead of thinking of only oneself.
6. Impatience—spontaneity,
boldness. Relieving the frustrated energy with forward movement.
7. Stubbornness—strong intention,
fixed in purpose, determination.