An important concept within Incarnational Spirituality is that of generativity. This is the affirmation that we generate spiritual energy, that as incarnate individuals we are sources of Light–a radiance of spirit that is not simply reflecting energies from transpersonal or “higher” sources. Our generativity is one of the ways we make a difference in our world.
Through our vitality, our thinking, our feeling, and our actions, we are emitting subtle energies of various kinds that impact our world, for better or worse. We can choose to align with the Light within us, the generative source that is our true nature and birthright. We can bless our world with spiritual presence rather than perpetuating the more negative responses that often take our attention and define our reactions.
If we perceive all parts of ourselves, including our personal worldly self, as being not only manifestations of Light but also of a will to Love, then we can more easily see ourselves as being a generative source of blessing in our world. That is a powerful and creative place to stand.
We make a difference, just by being, just by standing in our Sovereignty. Holding that radiance is enough to make a difference.
This generativity has been demonstrated recently in response to a tragic event at the Findhorn Foundation. Last week, an arsonist burned down two buildings central to life at Findhorn. The original main Sanctuary was the first community building constructed and has been the spiritual heart of the community ever since. The Community Center was the kitchen, gathering place, and a site of many parties and celebrations. I imagine that the gut punch that I felt upon hearing this news was shared by all those who had chanced to know this place.
Such destruction naturally might give rise to grief, anger, and strong feelings of wishing justice on the perpetrator. I know that in processing their grief, members of the community have felt and dealt with all these emotions. But I have been deeply moved by the grace and love that has been the predominant note sounded by those in the community. This is generativity in action.
They have chosen to focus on the beauty and joy that was held in the memory of those buildings. The presence of all that was shared in these places has not burned but remains strong in the heart and soul of the place. The strength, courage and commitment to the highest spiritual values has been demonstrated, as usual, by the community’s response. They quote one of the founders, Dorothy Maclean, who in response to a fire in ’72 said:
"There is nothing you can do about that fire, so just see the best in it. Don’t search for reasons. Let us heal the land and add your happy love to the area."
They have taken a tragedy, a shocking act of destruction perpetrated upon icons of their spiritual communion and community, and have turned it from a being a black hole of negative emotion, draining all light into its orbit, into a star field of loving, joyous sharing of inspiration, and fiery hope for the future. These are only buildings that were lost, not the important memories, joy and love shared, and spiritual presence held. All that remains. The important qualities and energies are still held in the land and the people.
This is exactly the kind of response to life’s challenges that Incarnational Spirituality teaches through our classes. Life can bring us grief. How we handle it is a choice. We can focus on what happened and live it over in our minds, keeping the grief alive and fresh. Or we can acknowledge the grief, allowing ourselves to feel it, and then hold it within the generativity of our love to allow it to heal.
Once I let go of the story of the fire and my grief around the loss of these buildings, I was free to pay attention to what my inner felt sense of it was. The odd thing was that after feeling the shock and grief at the news, I was aware of a sense of joy. Buildings can be rebuilt; no life was harmed. It may hurt to let go of their beauty and of the strong memories they held, but in the long run, the fires have released a form that was old to change into a form that will better serve the future. There is joy in that.
The choice to focus on that joy, and on the love of the place that is shared with others, is a practice that takes a negative dark event and turns it into light. Not just positive thinking, but a deep transformative holding of all the complexity of emotions within the human self. Being held within the generative presence of the light of love, those darker thoughts and feelings are transmuted. This opens a new perspective that offers them back to the world as a gift of joy and blessing. This is a powerful act. This is one of the effects of human generativity.
This is what I saw the Findhorn associates doing. It is what the practices we use in Lorian classes promote. Ultimately the energy the Findhorn Community put out into the world this week has been one of renewal and uplift. It has been a work of inspiring others to lift their spirits. It has been an affirmation of beauty. It has been a blessing to the world.