We all have defense mechanisms that we've developed over the long journey of our Lifetime, often without being aware of them at all. In times of trouble, the behaviors that have worked to get us past challenges with the least amount of pain are the ones that we repeat; even when part of us knows they no longer work.
Even when part of us knows that we are behaving wrongly or wronging someone else. Such behavior is a natural response from our mental and physical aspects. But because we are spiritual beings as well, we have the ability to rise above habits and patterns to see the truth that lay beyond. And from that moment on, we can make choices that allow us to work directly from that place of truth within us.
Most of our defense mechanisms were developed in childhood; from the moment we realized crying would get us the attention~negative or positive~ that we craved. Passive aggressive ways of communicating may have allowed us to get what we needed without being scolded, punished or laughed at, so we learned to avoid being direct and honest.
Some of us were not allowed to express our inner most feelings; and those feelings were pushed deep down. We 'stuffed' those feelings: with food, alcohol, drugs, or another substance. The energy of those stuffed feelings remains in our bodies, until through therapy or expression we release it, either in a healthy or an unhealthy way.
Some of us may have taken refuge in the lives of others, discovering ways to direct attention away from ourselves entirely. Throwing ourselves into projects or rescuing others from themselves can be effective ways to avoid dealing with our own issues. And when people are truly helped by our actions, we get the added bonus of feeling heroic. But while defenses can keep away the things we fear, they can also work to keep our goodness from us.
When we can be honest with ourselves about what we truly desire, then we can connect our desires to the creative power of the Spirit within us. Knowing that we are one with the Energy of the Universe allows us to release any need for defense. Trusting that Power, we know that we are exactly where we are meant to be, and that challenges bring gifts of growth and experience. When we can put down arms or fists raised in defense, then we are free to use our hands, minds, hearts and spirits to mold and shape our abundant energy to create and live our lives.
