Holistic coach and theologian Judith McAdam is one of our much-valued regular contributors. In our new Summer 2020 issue, she shared her thoughts on the universal rhythms that are influencing human society at this time. We’ve shared her full article below – read on to experience her wisdom!
The Ebb and Flow of Life
Find meaning in Universal rhythms
by Judith McAdam
You would be forgiven if you consider 2020 to be a battle, in which doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals patrol the front line, saving the lives of our elders and those at high risk. But life isn’t supposed to be a battle. Rather, ‘it is a game…which cannot be played successfully without the knowledge of spiritual law’[1]. Therefore, to reboot and reset requires us to have a deeper understanding of the Laws of the Universe.
At the time of writing, the virus hadn’t peaked. In search of some enlightenment, I found myself leaning toward the Hermetic Principle of Rhythm. This Principle states ‘that in everything there is manifested a measured motion; a to-and-from … a swing forward and backward; a pendulum-like movement; a tide-like ebb and flow’.[2] As I moved eagerly through the pages of this wise old text, I was reminded that ‘there is always an action and reaction; an advance and a retreat; a rising and a sinking’.[3]
Then, my thoughts brought me to my breath, ebbing and flowing. I saw first-hand how the Universal Principle of Rhythm was working within my own body. Take a moment and breathe in slowly and deeply, and then breathe out slowly. Listen to the ebb and the flow of your breath. Do this three times. Now you can see how the Principle of Rhythm is working on a microcosmic level within you.
Refocusing my thoughts from the small picture of my own life to the bigger Universal picture, I could see how the Universe had just taken a massive slow in-breath – an ebb, a retreat – and this caused the ‘sinking’ on a grand scale. The whole world had been forced to withdraw. Going back to my Hermetic text, it mentioned the “Outbreathing and Inbreathing of Brahman,” Brahman representing the highest Universal Principle, God, The Creator or Source.
As we move through this universal inhale, we have begun to sense how interconnected we are. We realise and appreciate how much our family, friends, and neighbours mean to us. We understand more fully the importance of our health and the health of our neighbours – both near and far – knowing that we can never take our health for granted ever again. We have gotten a chance to restore balance to our frantic lives, to see what is really important, and to unite our global village.
With every in-breath there is an out-breath, with every ebb there is a flow, and it’s the flow that is the compensation or counterbalance. Take heart – ‘the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates’. [4] Take comfort – we have had our massive ebb, and now humanity as a whole is getting ready to create momentum around a massive global flow. Prepare to take advantage of this flow and listen to your intuition as it points you in the direction of an abundance of Health, Wealth, Joy and Happiness. Never forget what this Universal in-breath has given you. Go forward in a different way: putting yourself, your mental, emotional and physical health, your family, your friends, and your community first. Think of what it is you really want to do in this lifetime and do it with a sense of connectedness and love.
Take a big slow breath in, and now release your breath nice and easy.
Love,
Judith
judithmcadam.com
Sources:
[1] The Game of Life and How to Play It. Winning Rules for Success and Happiness. Florence Scovel–Shinn. Vermillion 2005. UK p7
[2] The Kybalion: A study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece. Three Initiates. BN Publishing 2008. P63
[3] The Kybalion: P63
[4] The Kybalion: P65