Doubt

Doubt often gets a bad wrap, which makes sense since it is typically an unpleasant experience. Doubt tickles at our insecurities and warns our optimism of being too sure. It is the moth to our flame of burning desire, fluttering its caution.

Just as the messenger asks not to be shot when bringing poor tidings, so doubt ought not be blamed for casting a shadow, for shadows bring their contrast into clearer view, highlighting the light it disturbs. Doubt is an equal teacher to inspiration, merely taking a different form to communicate a similar message; such as go forth and create but first slow down and look more closely: examine your intentions  and potential impacts, notice the heart of your motivation and evaluate its purity.

Doubt reminds us to release our attachment to outcomes so we can flow easily into our purpose. Of course, as with most things in the human experience, it can be overemphasized, becoming out of balance with hope and trust, especially if we are ignorant of its true function as teacher. Doubt is not our tormenter, it is our guide—the way we interact with it determines our relationship with it. It is only a foe if we treat it as such. It will only teach us if we allow it the opportunity. We determine the value and role of our doubt—it is our meaning making that gives it its impact.

On this spiritual journey of selfhood, doubt reminds of us to walk with attention, to listen to the signals of our bodies in order to understand the state of our hearts. Doubt tempers the ego’s hunger, encouraging release of attachment in order to experience and flow in the harmony of the universe. Once we learn non-attachment, doubt is not as an active a friend, for what would we need to doubt or hope for when we trust in the pure expression of Being? What do we need to accomplish or control when we flow with the universal unfolding of Self?

Practice: How does doubt express itself in your body? When doubt visits how do you treat it? Can you meet doubt with curiosity and non-judgement?