A Couple of Reasons to Drop Your Protection

“You are not a drop in the ocean.
You are the entire ocean in a drop.”
– Rumi

A Couple of Reasons to Drop Your Protection

I used to think of myself as a lone wolf. I rather liked that image of me. Today, I see that I thought I could protect myself by pretending to be separate.

Not only was it not very effective protection, it was also pretty isolating and lonely. Maybe you have your own strategies for protecting yourself?

As I’ve kept more of my attention on my Divine nature, I realize the absurdity of trying to keep myself separate. I’ve always known we are all One. I just hadn’t spend much time imagining what that really meant.

As my knowing of our Oneness has slowly shifted from concept to experience, I recognize that not only can I not keep myself separate, it also doesn’t serve to continue seeing myself as small.

Sometimes I do experience myself as the entire ocean in a drop. Sometimes I do experience Oneness with those around me, the environment, Life itself. And, other times, all of this still feels like a nice concept rather than reality.

I so appreciate you, here, on this journey with me! Regardless of how much I experience or don’t experience my entire Ocean-ness, I no longer want to pretend I’m alone.

You and I may know each other personally. Or, we may never have met. Regardless, the fact that we are both here now means we have created this opportunity to experience our deep connection.

I still have times when I make choices from fear, from protection. I also usually catch myself pretty quickly. Then, I take a deep breath and ask, “How can I choose from Love, from Oneness?” And I usually have the courage to act on the answer . . .

(Excerpted from my forthcoming book, “Strong from Within: Simple perceptions and practices for returning to the joy of you”)

8 thoughts on “A Couple of Reasons to Drop Your Protection”

  1. Dearest Ken, sometimes I am still shocked by how much “false evidence” I can imagine, create, believe is true . . . Lately, when I’m in that swirl and then have a true, clear moment, I remind myself to feel what it feels like to be the entire ocean as me, in my beautiful, glorious drop. It feels so expansive and freeing – both fierce and gentle.

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  2. Siri Karam,

    I love being on the path with people like you!!! Isn’t it amazing when we know how richly blessed we are that sometimes we still forget the LOVE we are swimming in?!?

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  3. I don’t know who first said that fear is false evidence appearing real. While that is obviously not literally true, it does help me to choose from Oneness instead of fear when I stop to remember that almost always whatever I am feeling fear about is due to my interpretation of “false evidence.”

    Thank you for this good and timely reminder to drop my protection and instead be a drop.

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  4. Thank you for this reminder. It is so easy for me to feel isolated…and alone at times. Thank you for the reminder to expand. I love being on the path with people like you!

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  5. Heidi, it’s wonderful to hear from you! You are so welcome – I appreciate you take the time to comment.

    May your holidays be spacious and sacred. May you be present and in relationship with all.

    Heck, may we all be present and in relationship with all . . .

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