This newsletter is an ode to my father, just in time for Father’s Day.  It’s all about the growth that we have both experienced in our search for the balance between the Divine Masculine and Feminine – whether he realizes it or not!

When I consider my father, analytical thinking and logic, wisdom and innovation come to mind.  I call him “The Walking Encyclopedia,” always full of ideas and history.  I think about music in conjunction with mathematics (he loves Bach).  I think of the Moody Blues, The Who, and The Beatles.  I always thought I was more like my mother, the counselor and nurturer, but the older and wiser (fingers crossed) I become, I realize I have adopted a great deal of dad’s strengths as well – what we might call “the masculine.”

As a child, I saw my father predominantly as the provider.  In all truth (and probably to his dismay), I was fearful of him because I could not relate emotionally.  So I, at that time and without realizing it, created a separation between the masculine and feminine aspects of my being.  I thought of myself as only “woman” and therefore “feminine,” judging the masculine as distant, goal-oriented, the hunter/gatherer, and therefore unemotional, untouchable.

It was not until my early thirties that I began to realize that my masculine characteristics needed more balance as opposed to the “feminine heavy,” role I had assigned to myself for various reasons, societal, emotional and otherwise.

This realization initially sparked when I understood that there was more depth to my father, my first masculine role model, than just work.  I received my first copy of “A Course in Miracles” from him and my mother, a copy in which he inscribed, “To Jessie – To whom we could not resist saying, ‘May the Course be with you.'” (He’s a punny guy.)  What I learned after years of consistent practice, application and discussion of the lessons and text with my father completely changed my perspective on who he was, and therefore on men in general.  I also considered my role as a woman with the potential to carry categorically masculine characteristics.  As I began to see a very different side of my father – a softer, gentler, more introspective side – I let go of my expectations of who I thought he was supposed to be and thus completely shifted my views of what I considered “feminine” or “masculine.”

Herein lies the lesson: There really is no separation between the masculine and feminine.  They are two energies that, when used in conjunction, allow us to be fully “in” who we are at our core.  So, thank you, dad, for opening up to me, sharing your spiritual journey with me.  This new awakening has forever changed my perspective on what I thought a man and woman were supposed to be.  For this, I am forever grateful – and, thankfully, I can never go back.

Balancing our Yin and Yang Activity:

Two columns:
Write down the aspects of you that you consider to be “feminine” and “masculine.”  Consider the feminine aspects that you know you need to enhance (i.e., compassion, grace).  And then consider the masculine characteristics (i.e., boundaries, risk-taking).  Hone in on these by creating a symbol and color for the traits that you want to increase or enhance.  For example, I want to work on my level of patience.  When I think of patience, I see a white dove.  The imagery will help manifest this trait.

Peace and love be with you,
Jess