Badass Spirituality
I’ve written 100 blog posts in my head over the last two months and none of them have made it here (I haven’t even written about Burning Man!). So there is a lot coming but for now… pieces of them all will tie together here.
Four months ago I made the choice to completely deconstruct my life. It was a roller-coaster. I found myself drawn to explore both the highs of spiritual connection and the highs (and lows) of addictive destruction. I was drawn to doing intense work with the shadows (parts of ourselves and others we judge to be unacceptable and/or repress and deny that we have possess those qualities). In doing so, judgments fall away and in their place love and compassion arise, which sounds all yummy and juicy…
But what’s better than that? Loving my badass self. Seriously. I’m not a saint or spiritually evolved beyond my shadow. I love the truth, but I don’t always tell the truth. I’m naturally compassionate but I can be intolerant, I can serve but I’m far from selfless, I’m passionate about health but don’t always take care of myself. I’m at home in sacred space and I like to let go, dance to house music and play.
I recently met someone who I could consider to be my shadow (or badass) embodied. Unapologetically. He had no filter on what came out of his mouth which could mostly be considered completely inappropriate; sexually, politically, spiritually, environmentally and otherwise. I met this person with no judgment (in fact with curiosity)…. which to me, is freedom. Freedom to play with the paradox and truth of oneness that we all are. Inclusive of the opposite of what you think is you… because is that true? What are you denying as you?
Spiritual conscious types tend to be really hard on themselves about their badass selves. This summer a friend of mine said, “I only want to be seen as loving and kind”. To which I say, fuck that. We are more than that as human beings and there is a price tag to denying that. For this particular friend, the price tag was substance abuse.
Owning our shadows is powerful. Everyone we meet can be a gift. Every experience. Every choice we make. We are constantly looking in the mirror of our universe. How we see that reflection is our choice. Do you judge your badass self… or do you choose freedom?
Freedom to be all that we are, unapologetically. But true freedom also means accepting the other as they are.
No judgment = freedom.
Be grateful for what you manifest.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Life is but a dream, sweetheart. Live. Play. Love.
Love your badass self.
Thanks for writing this. I am learning to appreciate the both/and… over and over the opportunity presents itself. I am so grateful for increasing levels of freedom that I am experiencing as I am learning to embrace ALL of me… along with ALL of the other. And as a funny sidenote, Ezra came out of his room a few days ago with his blankie wrapped around his neck like a cape and he looked at me and said: ” I am a BADASS mom!”
“fuck that. We are more than that as human beings and there is a price tag to denying that.”
Amen! It’s nice to be reminded that we don’t always have to be nice, or put on a happy face. Negative emotions are real, and need to be expressed too. I’m not saying wallow in them, but air them out sometime so the sun can dry out and chase away the darkness.
so interesting. These are the same exact lessons that life, relations and business has been teaching me the last several months ~ but I’ve never quite put words to it. Thank you for completing that for me and so many others. And indeed, we love you just the way you are ~ in your badass authentic self.
Yay for authenticity!! Thanks for reminding us to accept all parts of who we are. Yes, it is SO freeing to just be, totally, and completely, whatever that looks like.
Love this Rachelle!
“I’m not a saint or spiritually evolved beyond my shadow. I love the truth, but I don’t always tell the truth. I’m naturally compassionate but I can be intolerant, I can serve but I’m far from selfless, I’m passionate about health but don’t always take care of myself. I’m at home in sacred space and I like to let go, dance to house music and play.”
Me too, and it’s a beautiful thing that you can give yourself permission to be all of that! Thanks for giving others permission as well!
Rock On Girlfriend.. I am with you on this path of dancing in the shadows and basking in the light…and of course- with being, living, freeing, realizing, ah=hahing all over the place, I totally understand the WHAT BLOG DO I WRITE FIRST!! In trying to get it all out, I come out bland, constricted and out of focus… Im glad that you had the ability to stick to what was in your heart right now! WAHOO!!
I was inspired today to write , “i have danced in many rivers so I know what pool to swim..” Thought I would share- now get yourself in my pool- theres a daytime house dj on!
xo
Wow! Love that! Cheers to all of you including the “Not so loving and kind” side of you!
Kudos!
Nice post, Rachelle. I saw your reference in the Whole Truth group on Facebook.
“I recently met someone who I could consider to be my shadow (or badass) embodied. Unapologetically. He had no filter on what came out of his mouth…Freedom to play with the paradox and truth of oneness that we all are. Inclusive of the opposite of what you think is you… because is that true? What are you denying as you?”
Yeah, this is freedom. Just owning the humanity. I felt such a release of tension when I realized, not only did I NOT have to censor or apologize for my “shadow person” (like you mentioned), I actually enjoyed that he expressed some of the things that don’t feel right coming from me, yet they resonate in me when they come from him. Mirrors.
Very nicely put – one of the best, most succinct yet priceless bits of advice out there.
Thanks for reminding me to cut loose every now and then.
Namaste x
Great insight for anyone. Total acceptance is a very difficult path, especially for those of us who want to “appear” a certain way and make our own judgments. Being human is accepting imperfection and all of our parts for ourselves and others. What freedom that allows us. Thanks for sharing this amazing observation and empowering us to look long and hard at ourselves and the way we operate. Lots of love, Joyce