Finding the space between
Happy New Year of the Dragon from Bali.
A land where connection to the elements is reflected in ceremony and ritual..
One of the rituals that nearly all local families perform is Canang Sari, the moment every day where small offerings are made at key locations round the house and grounds to give gratitude and create balance and flow between life-giving elements (sun, earth, water), people and spirit.
This gratitude extends to all the faculties of earthly life, from kitchens where food is prepared, to vehicles providing ease of movement and safety, or income.
Beyond this pause for gratitude the people believe in creating energetic pathways from the home doorway to the outside world to create flow of abundance and protection - giving thanks for what is, and what will be.
This ritual has been around for centuries here in Bali, and to some outside observers it could seem as superstition.
But all religions and cultures include offerings and symbolism. Even the modern 'religion' of positive thinking, manifestation and life hacks, now that the notion of energy flow is accepted in Western life and plays out across social media.
One of the core tenets that has stuck with me through any business or self improvement and spiritual practice is
'Where focus goes, energy flows'
The point IS the focus; the ACT itself, the moment of peace, clarity and connection that daily dedication of ritual creates.
An acceptance and clarity in intention without expectation or attachment. Embodying the moment of BEing not DOing. The magic of the ritualization of habit, enhancing realisation.
Unattachment as a reminder that every element of life cannot be controlled. That other forces are always at work in our favour, if only we allow the space for them to BE.
Balinese people place offerings and create intention to create flow, because they understand energy in all its forms, as well as the space necessary to receive guidance.
“In nature, nothing is hurried, but all is accomplished”
The people here in Bali are some of the happiest, connected and uncomplicated people I've met. They disarm you with their life view, and gratitude comes back at you from them, the land, and the air. Their sense of being.
So, my belief is it's worth reframing how we think about ritual, pause, the space between.
I’ve spoken to many SSN members this week, who hold themselves to account within SSN only by how much wealth they create. Accumulation at all costs.
Some have realised they were so caught up in the act of DOing they lost sight of the BEing.
Wealth is just a lever with which to create choice, which creates the LIFE we want.
The question is how much is enough through understanding why.
Every $ has a job, but for what reason?
We need to Create, and Protect wealth so we can give it away in the right way. That is the Sovereign journey... Making a life well lived, for those we care for the most. A simpler life, while making a difference…the Soul Purpose.
Zoom out to zoom back in. All the tools we provide in SSN are there to provide moments of clarity. Over time, they help unlock the conditioning and identity we may have linked to ‘how much is enough?’. The habit and ritual of using them with intent creates the focus, and the flow of energy to the right places to answer that.
And while money should not be considered sacred in and of itself, there is a reason we put one axis on the FinSov Path called ‘Stage of Consciousness’.
Life can only be observed from the level we are at. At some point the lightbulb goes off, and we see the next level from a new stage of consciousness.
We hit the next level and stage faster, through the moments of clarity and connection brought by repetition, reflection and awareness from the space between.
“Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.”
As founders at SSN we have started the new year of the Dragon in gratitude to absorb all that Bali can teach us. To ritualise repetition with intent.
To connect deeper, give more value, and support you all in your Sovereign Soul journey -whatever that next level is for you.
Happy New Year of the Dragon.
