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Our world appears to be on an escalating path of feminine empowerment and liberation. At times, as the feminine empowers herself out of codependent dynamics of caretaking and over-extending, as she courageously experiments with more fully choosing herself and expressing her wild, passionate heart, it may appear as if the masculine is being left behind. Abandoned in his emotional process. But, ultimately, this is not the case, for feminine liberation is masculine liberation, even when it feels like death to the masculine.
In this patriarchal world, the feminine has carried the emotional burden for far too long. The masculine has not been able to carry his share of the load, largely because he’s been conditioned to numb his emotions. And this often means a limited capacity for empathy and love.
In order to regain access to his emotions and balance the load, in order to access empathy and return to love, the masculine must die to the patriarchal ideal of what is to be masculine, rediscover his inner feminine, and be reborn anew.
The feminine may aid both herself and the masculine in this process through ferociously choosing herself, her truth, her freedom, her passion, her unapologetic light. Her choices may appear as temporary abandonment of the masculine at times as she liberates herself from patriarchal conditioning and finds her way.
The masculine is served through this feminine liberation process of fierce self-love and empowerment in many ways. One way is through the severing of co-dependent patterns of relating. No longer able to consistently rely on the external feminine to hold the emotional space that the masculine has become familiar with, has come to expect, has come to take for granted, has become dependent on, the masculine ego may begin to experience a painful death that is often accompanied by fear and rage. The rage may arise in an effort to protect the masculine from the incredible grief that lies beyond it. Over time, as the masculine finds the strength and courage to feel this grief, and the rage subsides, he may discover that beyond grief lies liberation, and a return to masculine and feminine unity, within and without.
As the feminine empowers herself and the masculine is left to take care of himself, he is forced to find other sources of comfort and listening for his emotional experience. As he falls apart, he is compelled to look within and self-source, and the grip of codependent patterns may begin to loosen their hold.
“Abandoned,” left to his own devices, the masculine has little choice but to learn to self-soothe. To find a source other than the external feminine to provide the nurturing he so desperately desires. As his inner journey unfolds, he may discover the divine feminine that existed within him all along, buried beneath layers of patriarchal conditioning. He may liberate the feminine within, marry her to his divine masculine, and become whole.
Through her process of liberation, the radiant, Kali-infused feminine destroys the masculine ego, and in doing so, she provides an incredible act of service to both the masculine and herself. She sets fire to the patriarchy, to codependent patterns of relating, to the illusion of limitation, to that which dims her radiant light and is ready to burn for the benefit of All.
Arising from the ashes of what was, a balancing of masculine and feminine is cultivated within. A feeling of inner unity arises within each individual and becomes a model for the unity of the expanded Self. Unity of All.
From this place of greater balance and wholeness, unity with another without codependence becomes possible. Our hearts open to one another more from a place of sharing than a place of need.
This is the breeding ground of unconditional love.
As the feminine empowers and liberates herself, the masculine embarks on his own separate journey, sometimes seemingly against his will. But in the end, we are liberated, together, as One. And this is ultimately the will, the desire, of All.
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A version of this post was originally posted on TroyCohen.Wordpress.com and is republished here with permission from the author.
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