If we are on a healing or awakening path, experimentation will – by necessity – be a part of the process.
We may find a teacher, guide, or approach that feels right for us for whatever reason – perhaps it makes sense to us, or it’s recommended by someone we trust, or the quiet inner voice says “yes”, or a combination. And we try it out.
What happens if I follow this pointer or engage in this practice? What do I find? What effects does it have?
Does it work? Does it bring healing? Does it help me to relate to myself and the world in a different way? (With more kindness, more from oneness?) Does it give me glimpses of what I am?
If so, it makes sense to keep exploring it. If not, perhaps I need to change how I am in relation to it or try something else.
So it’s not all the tools. It’s also me and how I am in relation to the practice. How sincere am I? How wholeheartedly do I engage with the practice? Am I willing to stay with it long enough to get results? Am I willing to ask for guidance from someone more experienced and see what happens if I put it into practice?
In my experience, when something works I tend to see the results early on or immediately. Even small shifts tells me that this may be worth continuing to explore.
This is how we would go about learning most things in life, whether it’s a language, sports, music or something else. And an experimental and pragmatic approach also makes sense for healing and awakening.
Curiosity, receptivity, and trying things out help us discover, learn, and finding new sides to what we are exploring.
An almost-synonym for experimentation is a playful attitude. A playful attitude helps us have a light touch, stay engaged, and find receptivity, curiosity, and a willingness to try things out.
In my experience, good mentors and coaches encourage grounded playfulness.
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