Active and Receptive by Shakti Gawain--Inspirational articles from Living Life Fully

Active and Receptive
Shakti Gawain

One very important pair of contrasting energies within us is the active and receptive, or dynamic and magnetic aspects. I often refer to these as the fundamental masculine and feminine principles of the universe.

Every one of us, whether man or woman, has both of these aspects within us. We need to develop both of these energies and allow them to work together rather than in conflict with each other.

There are two basic ways to have power or to get what you want in life:

The active mode is to go after it, to make it happen.

The receptive mode is to attract it, magnetize it, allow it to happen.

The active mode requires focus, aggressiveness, confidence, persistence, the ability to do, and the willingness to risk.

The receptive mode requires openness, vulnerability, trust, the ability to be and to wait, and the willingness to have and accept. . . .

At this point in our evolution, we are challenged to develop both of these polarities within ourselves, and to integrate them into our lives so that we know how and when to use each of them appropriately and effectively.

Most of us are more identified with one or the other of these opposites. We have spent time and energy developing one of these aspects, and that's the one we feel most familiar and comfortable with. It's the way we've succeeded thus far, so it's the way we know and trust.

Yet staying overly identified with only one side of this polarity will eventually limit us and cause us increasing pain. If we operate mainly in the active mode, we may accomplish a great deal but are likely to find it a struggle and exhaust ourselves in the process. If we operate mainly in the receptive mode, we may attract many people and opportunities but have difficulty following through with the action that's called for, and therefore feel depressed or inadequate.

So we need to become aware of which polarity we tend to rely on, and learn how to develop its opposite as well. Most truly successful and prosperous people have a balance of both.

Our culture is very oriented toward the active masculine mode, so that way is better understood, more honored, and more valued.

more thoughts and ideas on balance

Money is a needful and precious thing, and when well used, a noble thing,
but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for.
I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved,
contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace.

Louisa May Alcott

quotations - contents - welcome page - obstacles - weblog
the people behind the words - our current e-zine - articles and excerpts
Daily Meditations, Year One - Year Two - Year Three - Year Four
Simple and Profound website

Sign up for your free email daily spiritual or general quotation
Sign up for your free email daily meditation

We have some inspiring and motivational books that may interest you. Our main way of supporting this site is through the sale of books, either physical copies or digital copies for your Amazon Kindle (including the online reader). All of the money that we earn through them comes back to the site in one way or another. Just click on the picture to the left to visit our page of books, both fiction and non-fiction!