| THE SECRET POWERS OF THANKsŪ NEUTRALITY |
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This e-newsletter is the next in our series on “The secrets embedded within the THANKs® program”. Today’s focus will be on the topic of NEUTRALITY and offer some ideas to think about and practice.
Those of us on a path of self discovery, who live with intention, are endlessly striving to work with principles that support our journey. Neutrality is one of the least discussed of these principles in my experience and perhaps the most core principle of all that offers us true power and happiness. It is not a principle that can be witnessed like trustworthiness or kindness. It is an impersonal power akin to the rotation of the earth. Although we don’t actually see it happening, it is inherent by its nature.
Neutrality has a number of different connotations that we are familiar with, but often don’t pay close attention to. A doctor must play a neutral role when treating her/his patient. Whether it’s the child who was shot during a drive by shooting, or whether it’s the shooter himself, doctors are trained to maintain a neutral stance treating each person with equal care. This doesn’t mean they won’t have subjective beliefs about the child vs. the shooter, only that they’ll be compelled to abide by the principle of neutrality.
Further into this article we will speak about the place of neutrality that transcends right or wrong, good or bad, where we can actually dwell in a non-judgmental experience, even with the above example.
Neutrality is one of the abiding principles used by the Red Cross. It’s not up to the individuals working for the Red Cross who deliver the food, medicine and love, to decide who does or doesn’t get these things. Neutrality is a principle instilled by the Red Cross in order to create equal, unbiased care to all in need.
Another connotation of neutrality is where everyone, regardless of sexual identity, political preference, race, color or creed agree on one perspective. An example of this would be a definition in the dictionary which would give us the same information about a word. Another example of this type of neutrality that crosses all barriers would be the need for food or water. These neutral beliefs are experienced as Universal.
As Brad and I discussed the principle of neutrality in an attempt to create this article, he recounted a story from back in his High School days when he played football. “We had a running back by the name of Vince (name changed to protect ourselves here) who thought he was the biggest and baddest football player around. He lifted weights relentlessly and was a big tough guy. One afternoon during practice, Vince was bragging about how tough he was. He stated that given the chance to run with the ball he could run through anybody in his path.
The coach told the Quarterback to give Vince the ball on the next play, and told the offensive line to block “head on” and not their assigned blocking assignments against the rushing defense. The ball was snapped and the Quarterback handed off the ball to Vince. The linemen did as the coach told them, and within a micro second Vince was flat on his back with the Middle Linebacker on top of him. He was nailed as if a freight train had hit him. Once Vince regained his equilibrium the coach talked to him about healthy pride vs. arrogance and ego. Without the offensive linemen in front of him creating a gap, and everyone executing their area of specialization simultaneously, it didn’t matter how fast, big and strong he was.”
This type of neutrality, where everyone has an assignment in order to create a positive outcome, means surrendering to the greater good of all concerned. It often entails letting go of our own agenda (arrogance which is pseudo power) and tuning into the bigger picture.
Neutrality, as we look at it in the THANKs® program, dwells deep within the realm of our internal world. To equal measure, it exists in the external world. Neutrality demands that we keep an open mind and avoid right vs. wrong thinking, or good vs. bad thinking. It has no preconceived ideas and is totally disconnected from the egos need to control, be right or have bias. This type of neutrality only exists in the present moment.
In the Martial Art of Shotokan karate I was taught “Shoh Shin”, the art of keeping an “empty mind”. This principle places us in a position of neutrality that allows the flow of natural power to dictate our next move or course of action without predetermined thought. This level of neutrality follows natural law, no different then a tree. It doesn’t ask itself if it’s time to grow new leaves, or if it’s time to drop its leaves. The natural evolution of the tree lives from a perpetual place of neutrality.
Nature can teach us all we need to really know about neutrality. Its natural order never questions itself. Because of our “free will” we have this thing called the ego that insists on reacting, controlling and demanding. Its function is to keep us in self centeredness, and to seek power from outside of ourselves. The principle of neutrality, teaches us that there is great power deep within ourselves that accompanies the ability to surrender to the natural unfolding of life’s events, just like the tree does.
The secret of neutrality is that it’s non-negotiable by its design. The wonderful gifts that come from dwelling in this state of consciousness are the diminishing of fear, the relinquishing of judgment and criticism and the manifestation of true power. The more we resist our own natural ability to live from a place of neutrality, the more likely it is we’ll experience more manifestations of problems, fears, worry and unhappiness.
Through the practice of maintaining an open mind and acceptance of life on life’s terms, we let go of resistance and the need to control, thus reducing adverse consequences in our lives.
The following are some ideas to work with as a means of practicing the principle of neutrality.
¨ The next time you take a drive, let the experience be whatever it is, without judgment or criticism of other drivers.
¨ The next time a colleague of yours gets a promotion, notice if you can just be happy for your colleague without feeling slighted or reactive.
¨ The next time you are given the opportunity by your employer to go on a retreat or to a seminar, see how strong your reaction is or if you can just surrender to the gift you’re being given.
¨ The next time you are in a long line, see how well you do with your reaction. The stronger the reaction, the more the ego is in control and telling you a story that is creating resistance, and in turn, creating annoyance and unnecessary suffering.
¨ The next time you are given constructive criticism, notice if you are able to maintain a position of neutrality or if you have a reaction.
¨ The next time you have to reprimand or fire an employee, see how neutral you are able to remain. If you have resistance, the task won’t go as well.
¨ Ask yourself how you feel about people in higher positions of power then you. Your work is to accept it as it is and to stay open minded to possibilities for yourself.
¨ Ask yourself how you are at being a leader. Especially, how you treat people under your leadership.
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