Spiritual Etiquette
in the World The Soul's Tipping Point
by Suzanne Matthiessen
In his best selling book The Tipping
Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, author Malcolm
Gladwell describes the “tipping” phenomenon as sort of
a magical, alchemical moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior
reaches a point of critical mass, crosses a threshold, “tips,
and spreads like wildfire” and radical change takes place.
His book reveals that by making sometimes very slight adjustments,
innovative products, ideas and behaviors are more likely to become
immensely popular.
In terms of individual spiritual growth, a tipping point occurs when
suddenly the “weight” of who you are reaches an apex
and a point of dramatic and profound inner-evolution takes place.
Just like Gladwell observes in his book, the tipping point is preceded
by reaching a “boiling point” – sometimes like
the most famous line from the 1976 movie “Network”: “I’m
as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”
Having the capability of even reaching a personal soul tipping point
has its fundamental requirements: - You must not fear, but instead embrace change
- You must have banked enough humility to accept that you don’t
know it all
- You must be flexible and not rigid (yes, I realize a statement
like that sounds rigid, but its just a plain fact)
- You must have a sense of adventure and a belief in the possible
- You must be able to let go of the past and any preconceived ideas
that can hold you back
In the social arena, although to be at the forefront of affecting
or embodying radical change sounds “enviable,” it doesn’t
make pioneers in consciousness “special” or “better
than.” Some people are simply designed to be risk-taking leaders,
while for others it makes sense to them to wait for potential “kinks” to
be worked out before they dive into the pool and spread the word
(think iPod). In fact, those who are at the leading edge of an idea
often find it to be a lonely and quite maddening place at times.
There are scores of visionaries whose ideas never even came into
fruition and gain mass acceptance in their lifetime, simply because
they were way ahead of the curve and did not have the tools to institute
them – or that the timing just wasn’t right. And, while
some visions and ideas are simply as nuts as the person promoting
them (Hitler immediately comes to mind), if you have the charisma
and ability to create an epidemic in thinking, even the most bizarre
notions can become mainstream almost without question during the
peak of their momentum (I’m thinking “pet rocks” and
other assorted nonsensical trend manias).
Of course, there are blind followers of any trend, idea or imposed
doctrines as well. These people are quite malleable as opposed
to flexible, and have an intense need to belong, so much so that
it causes them to compromise their identity and/or integrity at
the drop of a hat. It takes a lot for them to reach a tipping point
in thinking that has not been guided by someone else’s calculated
manipulation. It is almost wishful thinking that people so gullible
will even be able to self-actualize, but it does happen.
When it comes down to you and you alone, taking a quantum leap in
inner growth always falls upon your choices, which are generally
determined by a blend of logic, intuition, plus a comparison between
what you’ve been taught and what your actual experience is – and
if you have the wherewithal to make that distinction. It also is
governed by how much you rely on the approval and opinions of others
to shape the way you respond and behave, or if you have the courage
and strength to own your own mind.
Past lives may indeed come into play here as well. In fact, in my
own situation, I have distinctly visceral memories of having my tongue
cut out back in the witch trial days. And even though I’ve
been a fairly strong person most of my life, and was told in my twenties
one of my “assignments” in this incarnation was to speak
up about Truth and take a stand against power abuse, it took a long
time for me to actualize it because the past life impressions were
so strongly embedded. I basically had to stare persecution in the
face and choose the “right thing” over the easier way
out many times over before the terror of possibly being rendered
mute and feeling powerless to communicate (and all the pain that
came with it - including basic survival matters) had been overcome.
Certainly there is the “comfort factor” as well. I see
so many people who are miserable in the places they have settled
into, but fear moving out of what is known, predictable and familiar,
even if it is causing them immense inner pain. For these people,
the soul’s tipping point is only reached when the pain becomes
unbearable and it’s either do – or die. In extreme cases,
this can result in some destructive reactive behaviors when an otherwise
rational person is pushed over the edge to an irrational place that
feels completely logical in the moment – hence the term “temporary
insanity.” It is our job as spiritual brothers and sisters
to intervene in these situations before they explode when we see
them coming. Forget that nonsense about non-interference and “everyone
has their lessons to learn” – if we can guide another
toward a healthy tipping point rather than a disastrous one—but
instead choose to selfishly stick our heads in the sand and not get
involved, we will create some spiritually detrimental karmic repercussions
for ourselves. Continue reading ->
