The Point of No Return

There is a moment on every journey when you’ve gone too far to turn back. It’s been called ,

“The point of no return”.

It’s that moment of deepest commitment when you realize that the only way out is THROUGH. Since the journey back is going to be just as challenging if not more so, than the journey forward, you might as well go forward.

And interestingly enough many, many people seeking the help of a hypnotherapist or any holistic or medical practitioner for that matter, often voice the sentiment,

“I just want my old life back”.

Sorry. Not only can’t you have your old life back, the truth is you really don’t want it.

You want a better life. A more abundant life, A healthier life, a more awakened, conscious life.

But we are hardwired to cling to our habits and routines, our comfort zone… We fear the unknown. We fear change even though most of us bitch and moan about “the way things are” now.

Don Juan Matus, the Yaqui indian who taught Carlos Castaneda the ideas and practices of the ancient Toltecs of Mexico, talked about the “trickery of the Spirit”.

A sane, sensible person has to be “tricked” into following the “warriors path” and transforming their lives.

Which brings me to the idea of “purpose problem”.

Our “purpose problem” is the thing that bothers us so much that we actually can’t stand to tolerate the status quo any longer. It’s the “burr under the saddle” that just triggers the hell out of us and causes us to take massive action to alleviate the suffering, the pain, the irritation, the misery, the drama, the “whatever is driving you crazy” thing that you MUST change.

No ifs, ands or buts. It MUST change.

When you finally get fed up with being fed up. That’s when you are ready for spectacular growth.

Unfortunately it doesn’t usually feel very “nice”…

In my time last month with Dr. Donnie Epstein he addressed this stage in his 12 Stages of Extraordinary Experiencing.

It’s the first Stage: Suffering.

Of course I wrote a transformational song about it!

Please note that this song is MY interpretation of Donnie’s concept. It also includes a few threads of hopefulness that come in a bit later in his system.

At the moment it is only available in this video. I’ll share the finished song in hi fidelity grooviness at a later time…

Lyrics:

I Will Light A Lamp

Inspired by “Suffering” Stage # 1 of 12 Stages of Extraordinary Experiencing by Donnie Epstein.
Song # 515 | 2/17/16 | Tuning: DADGAD

Disconnected and in despair…
Everything seems beyond repair…
Helpless, hopeless and afraid…
Nothing works and it won’t go away

But I am more than this dis-ease…
I am more than this field of pain
When I accept that there is no release…
That’s when everything begins to change

Refrain:
Suffering is where we all begin.
Breathe the Love in to the wounded place within

Overwhelmed and tangled up in pain
I must stop attempting to explain
Why “what is,” is not what I wish for it to be
When I accept it as a gift…I set myself free

Refrain:

But we are more than…what we think is real
We can’t heal… what we can not feel…
The Love I feel for you caught me unprepared
Because I love myself more than I have ever dared

Refrain:

Bridge: How does the rage of open wounds
Pull us through the night?
How does the Source of countless tunes
Always bring the light?

I will light a lamp for you…. and I will leave it on…

as always, I love hearing from you so if any of this touches a chord in you just let me know.

Peace, grooviness, Namaste

– Mark
p.s. your assignment today (should you choose to accept it) is to play with the idea that whatever is causing you frustration, annoyance, discomfort, pain, suffering etc. is actually an invitation to go deep, deep, deep into your transformational healing process. See if you can find the gift, the opportunity, the blessing in this challenging time. Keep in mind that sometimes we are just not quite ready to fully commit to “forward”… and that’s perfect too.

The really important thing is just to be fully aware that you can realize the change you’re looking for…