When you need help choosing B instead of A

Six times a year, every other month, I lead a Virtual Retreat for our Community. The most recent one was this past Friday, and during the retreat we worked with a Divine quality called the Awakener. In a few paragraphs I’ll tell you more about the Sufi Divine qualities, which are profound to work with.

First, though, last week I wrote about when your energy drops and you just can’t market. There is an insatiable urge to push forward that comes from a combination of the survival fears in our belly and the cultural imperative to dominate, control and take over, aka “be more productive.”

As human beings we are part of the Divine dance, and we absolutely have a hand in making things happen. Especially with your business, you are the steward of a beautiful container for your life’s work and how you serve others.

However, sometimes we try to move too quickly. How do you find the strength to wait for right timing, when everything in your belly is screaming at you to “get going! get going!”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt that with Heart of Business. Or how often our clients face it. Even very enlightened clients, who are experienced, ordained spiritual teachers themselves, face the pressure of their egos to move faster than is possible or desirable.

The human being has a tremendous strength in our will power. The question is, how will we direct it?

Do we use our will power to:

1. a) Get as much done as possible, forging a path forward of “just do it!”?

or…

1. b) Force ourselves to stop, dead in our tracks, despite the incessant, compelling urging of belly-fear, and instead turn our attention to listening, and listening deeply, to our hearts?

When I need help choosing answer B, I lean into the Sufi teachings on Divine qualities.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Sufi approach to Divine qualities, the Sufis see the Divine as having 99 (read: infinite) different essential qualities, such as Love, Wisdom, Strength, Compassion. A portion of Sufi spiritual practice involves working with and coming to know and unveiling the Divine qualities, which all exist within each of us, but are often covered over or hard to access.

My job as a human being isn’t to attempt to create any of the Divine qualities within me. So, I’m not trying to “be” strong, wise, compassionate, forgiving…

Instead, I’m facing the emptiness I feel, which is why my belly is feeling so scared, and in facing that emptiness, I’m asking to be filled with a Divine quality.

I know, I know, it’s paradoxical to ask to receive a quality that is already within, but when one is caught up with the ego, the Divine reality does appear to be much larger than the small human box I feel caught within, and so the experience from that egoic point of view is that I receive the quality from the outside, even though the “outside” is really just the larger reality that my heart inhabits always.

I explain all of this to you because there is a sentence in the description of the quality Al Ba’ith, aka the Awakener, that struck me and many participants in this past retreat.

“Al Ba’ith gives us the confidence we need to wait until the time has come and the Divine sends us out to start something.” from Divine Names, the 99 Healing Names of the One Love, by Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi.

This past Virtual Retreat I was awash so much in the pressure to move quickly, because our house is only 3 weeks away from completing and there are an incredible number of little details we need to handle. We’re also launching a new program, and although I feel that’s more in hand than the house project, nevertheless it’s a lot to do.

And so instead of trying to “be” patient, I leaned into Al Ba’ith, asking in my heart to witness/receive/experience this Divine quality. And, in doing so, I could feel the peace in my heart.

Here’s my invitation. If you, too, are struggling to choose answer B, can you take even 2 minutes to face the emptiness in your heart that is beneath the fear that is running you to do so much, and to ask for any Divine quality your heart is thirsty for. And then notice what happens next…

With big appreciation and compassion,

Mark

p.s. One of the pressures in business is thinking we *should* be further along than we really are.

This means that some people were wishing they were ready for our program Accelerating Growth, but really needing something else first. I want to encourage you to settle into exactly where your business is, and get the help you need for where you are. That’s what will move you forward most effectively.

Our Foundations1: Clients and Money and Foundations2: Expand Your Reach programs start the first Monday of every month. If you want to start with either of them in May, there’s time to jump in.

And if you’re unsure what you need, why not take a free Readiness Assessment? In it, you’ll learn exactly where your business is in it’s development, and gain great clarity on what you’re actually needing, as opposed to just guessing.

Click here: Readiness Assessment

[private_Community membership]

Heart of Business Community Update

As a community member, here’s quick access to resources and conversation!

It’s a new month, and that means a new Community video from our Community Manager, Steve Mattus.  Check it out on the Home Page.

Click here to watch.

In our Facebook group yet?

In our Facebook group, here are some discussions happening right now:

• Seeking deep spiritual connection? Read what members are sharing concerning their experiences at the recent Virtual Retreat!
• Did you miss Monday’s Remembrance on the Divine quality Al Ba’ith, aka the Awakener? Jump on over and share your experience with your fellow Community members now!

These are just 2 of the many discussions happening every day in our active, compassionate group! Don’t yet have access? Click here. 
[/private_Community membership]