Holding patterns are core vulnerabilities and empowerments

The root of all suffering is clinging and aversion. But what gives rise to clinging and aversion are beliefs and subtle feelings. Then, ways of navigating the world emerge, which lead to overt action.

Overt action lead to the circumstances that give rise to beliefs and subtle feelings. And so the cycle of suffering continues.

Beings who are devoted to and practiced with the bodhisattva vow, to liberate all beings from suffering, use their tools to stop the cycle.

They identify the holding pattern that is available to them and use their tools and training to help release the pattern. Ultimately, they only point out and provide the circumstance for the way. It is still our work to walk it.

These holding patterns are psychosomatic. These beliefs shape the neural structure of the brain, which activates musculoskeletal structures whenever this cascade of neurons fire.

And, revisiting the musculoskeletal structures is an activation for the neural structures of the brain.

The mind activates the body. The body activates the mind.

The mind and body are two outlets of the same input. This is the holding pattern that we can work to understand by approaching from both sides.

Holding patterns are the things that we struggle with. They are the beliefs we have about our family. About ourselves. They limit us from what we know we can be. They are our core vulnerabilities.

But they are also the very things that empower us.

Empowerment is about seeing and supporting our uniqueness. Holding patterns are the beliefs and subtle feelings that mark our path. It is by learning to be with these patterns from spacious awareness that our unique cairns are revealed.

Learning how to resource ourselves and make the holding patterns more approachable works with it from both sides.

An important ongoing lesson is knowing when being with the holding pattern is too much. Then, we can step back and regulate our nervous systems.

The things that we are running from are the same things that empower us to becoming our unique selves. The difference is learning to be with them.