How to Overcome Doubt and Fear by Flying on the Wings of Vulnerability
Do you sometimes find doubt difficult to overcome? 
Quite frequently in the facilitation work I do, the question of doubt arises. Doubt in yourself, doubt in your work, relationships and spiritual path. Doubt in the benevolent redeeming hand of the universe. It seems that when you first realise the benevolent presence of a unifying energy, many believe, hope or expect "everything will turn out just fine, it'll all be as we want it to". And if it doesn't, when it doesn't turn out that way, all too frequently you're led back down the ladder of doubt toward the start point.
So what's happening here? How do you break the cycle?
The answer is 'flying on the wings of vulnerability'...
Staring wide eyed into the jaws of fear
During my existence, I've constantly challenged doubt and disbelief. It seems my soul is naturally configured that way - I believe all souls can find that direct confrontation. Why is it so important? Doubt, disbelief and fear are what truly limit us. And so for me at least, there's been a constant exploration of it. If for example a choice has presented itself that stimulated some sense of anxiety, my soul has always seemed to steer me directly into the jaws of it; not because I didn't have the sense of fear initially - exactly because I WAS reacting internally in some way - being constrained by it, which my soul naturally yearned to work through.
I realised early on, it is only fear that constrains and limits us: Fear of not being good enough, fear of not having the right solution, the right outcome. So if I felt the sense of fear, instead of turning away, I'd look it in the eyes and go right into the heart of it.
And earlier in my existence, before I'd overcome all sense of fear, it was similar with doubt. Even though I knew intrinsically in my heart that a benevolent presence was always there loving us unconditionally and leading us to ever greater freedom and expansion, I still wasn't completely trusting ALL THE TIME. It seemed as if doubt and belief were a double sided coin, sometimes landing in my favour, sometimes not.
Expectation: the killer of all true experience
It wasn't until I remembered the importance of vulnerability (especially in this often limiting physical world), that I truly began to trust at the deepest level, when doubt finally dissolved and the penny fully dropped. Just as with many awakened souls, as we touch the beauty and infinite benevolence of Unity Consciousness, we just know that mountains can be moved to unveil truth. Nothing is too great or too small that can't be solved by tuning into this almighty power - it's an intrinsic knowing at the core of our being.
So why then does it not always work out?
What is the importance of vulnerability?
In a word, the key issue, the key problem is "expectation". Expectation is the killer of all true experience. When you feel the infinite flow of benevolent presence, there often comes with it a neediness or desire to shape it in some way. And when you find you can't shape it, the steadily growing bubble of belief suddenly bursts wide open again. For me I recall the bubble kept building and bursting until a realisation dawned...
"True empowerment is not about intentionally manifesting confidence and building supreme belief that things will go your way. In fact it's the very opposite. It's the absolute acceptance of NOT KNOWING how things will work out which finally unlocks the door of doubt and disbelief."
It's in the NOT knowing where freedom lies
You're truly Walking the Path when you don't know what's coming next. When you don't know how you're going to perform. When you don't know if you'll find the right words. When you don't know if that pay-cheque will come or if there'll be dinner on the table tonight. The truth is, we can't know for certain because we don't have full control. For a while it may appear so, but at the highest level, we created the conditions of uncertainty. In a universe that is continually changing and reshaping, how can the outcome always be guaranteed? 
I remember one of the first Openhand 5GATEWAYS seminars I gave in the early days...
"I was sitting in front of the audience in Glastonbury Town Hall waiting for the intro film to finish. I was watching for the first words to drop into mind, a place to begin, a thread to pick up. Usually they came but this time nothing - nothing at all. As the credits to the film rolled, still nothing. As the silence and expectation of the audience grew louder in my awareness still nothing. As I stood up, still nothing. All the while I was watching my inner feelings, any arising tightness. Yes I was feeling nervous, realsing a subconscious subtle desire for the people to appreciate me and my point of view. As the penny dropped, why would I limit myself by needing some kind of outcome. What was wrong with how I was being? Even if nothing came? Even if I stood there in complete silence? Time seemed to stretch right into eternity. Without need of outcome at all, any sense of fear disappeared, doubt disappeared, disbelief disappeared. I was infinitely vulnerable, and it felt completely blissful. As I opened my mouth to speak, I was stepping off the cliff edge into the abyss and I didn't know what, if anything would come next. But it simply didn't matter. All I knew was that whatever did come, was perfectly okay. In front of all those people, at the risk of looking foolish, I realised I'd rather express absolute authenticity - whatever it was."
The truth will set you free
And do you know what? The truth will always set you fee. Absolute faith and trust? I don't care who you are, there is no such thing. What there is instead, is the possibility of absolute vulnerability and awesome acceptance of that. When you can be absolutely vulnerable to life so that you're not sure what happens next, when you step off that cliff edge with absolute acceptance of the outcome, whatever it is, that's when you truly learn how to fly. It's not about knowing what's about to happen. It's not about always having the answer or always getting it right. It's having the courage just to be who you are at whatever apparent personal cost.
And here's the beauty of it, you don't have to be an accomplished person, a confident person, an empowered person, an obviously talented person. All you have to be is you, walking boldly into the jaws of life all the while allowing your truth to flow outwards from within, allowing your authentic expression to be good enough whatever that may be.
"Come to the edge" he said,
"We can't, we are afraid" they said,
"Come to the edge" "We can't, we will fall"
"Come to the edge" and they came and he pushed them and they flew.
Guillaume Appollinaire
Indeed, the only way to truly fly in life, is to unfold our wings of absolute vulnerability.
Happy flying!
Open 
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Comments
How fear controls because of our distance from it
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The Difference between Empowerment and Confidence?
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What's the difference between true empowerment and confidence? It's all in the wording.
I find that often when people speak of building 'confidence' in the spiritual mainstream, it's about putting something on. Like using a daily mantra to convince yourself of something you're supposed to believe in. But this does nothing to expose and unravel subconscious doubt. It only plasters another layer of identity on top. That identity will never be who your truly are, and will at some point, inevitably break down.
Instead, the Openhand Approach, is to allow the insecurities to bubble to the surface. But rather than surpressing, denying, pushing away or allowing self-judgment to block access to the true depth of it, rather it is to get right into the expression of it. How has this doubt arisen? Where did it come from? Probably either past life karma, or conditioning and programming by parents, teachers and society.
Let's be clear, there can be nothing at all wrong with the quintessence of you. How can I say this? Because you are totally unique. There is nothing in the universe exactly like you. Hence, in your deepest self, you are utterly priceless. And since the Universe is all about being, then can be absolutely nothing wrong in you being you. The key is to surrender into the vulnerability of this and trust that this essence can survive and prosper in this often harsh world. It most definitely can! If you just give it a chance and let authentic beingness arise and create your expressions, then you'll start to find each step emerges from that. Somehow it all works out. But you do have to test this. And you definitely have to give up expectation of where you think it 'should go'. The question is: do you have enough energy and resources to complete this immediate step? If so, step into it with your authentic energy.
You'll find trust and true confidence (something that naturally arises rather than being put on) build because you notice each moment leads to another, somehow you have enough, somehow it all works out for you. Each step builds on the previous one. Progressively natural confidence and energy build. Divine manifestation happens more readily. You find yourself naturally supported by the flow.
So I find the key to this true confidence building is to surrender into the total vulnerability of the moment. To be yourself, come what may!
In loving support
Open
When falling, you're given wings
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I read this the other day and it sent chills down my spine:
“Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom.
How do they learn it?
They fall and falling,
they're given wings.”
- Rumi
Thank you for the reminder Open!!
Much love
This
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This, this article, this concept, this vulnerability. This is what I have been asking myself about lately.
I didn't think I was very vulnerable at all. I thought I was to guarded, to closed off, to protective of my own self and others that I did not think it was possible for me to be open enough to be vulnerable. And then....I read this and it was like a torrent of memories of myself and how I am for others that made me see how truly vulnerable I really really am. I am the one that will stand by anyone in a crises, that will speak up for the "underdog." I am the one that will risk everything to just stand and say - This is not right, this is not kind, this that one does to another is not ok. I am the one that will walk ahead of others to forge a path rarely trodden before so that I may show anyone willing to see that it's ok to just at the very least be yourself in the choices one has made. I am the silly one that isn't afraid to jump through muddy puddles with children, that will in my own way show others around that just having ridiculous amounts of fun is ok.
I am still the one that inside is deeply crying, but will face hell itself in whatever form it wants to show. Just because I can, because in any given moment if I don't or cant do it, then who else will.
I am not perfect, but maybe, just maybe I am vulnerable
Thank you so much for this article!
Wyndè
Just keep right on going
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That's totally brilliant Nivasha.
Great job - just keep right on going.
Open *give_rose*
A most beautiful Validation
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Dear Open,
Thank you so very much, this was as always divinely guided to me as I was seeking truth whilst standing at that very precipice right now. The energies are indeed heavy and draining and we are in a chaotic, tumultous time of change and I can feel the shift is upon us. In these very very trying times, finding ones inner stillness amidst the hurricane is the key to ones survival. I say survival as I feel I have been torn to shreds in the last few months. I didn't realise how painful the mirror would be. And my fears were great, so great I didn't even know they existed in this way. I have realised that evolving and growing and lesson-learning is very bittersweet. The shedding of the illusion and the layers that blinds us from our Soul and Spirit has left me gasping for dear life. My only choice was to step inside my pain and soften into it (told to me by a very wise man :) )
A really beautiful affirmation - it has filled up my soul indeed!
Thank you, with love
Nivasha
Love this article
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I so enjoy reading your experience of vulnerability speaking in front of the crowd.
nice to hear
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Well said Open!
I felt that.
I once 'thought' vulnerability to be weakness.
The experience was not. I had to reach a point where I could sacrifice anything in order to reconnect within, eventually myself would be the wager.
I remember what that felt like, it was soft, gentle, kind, accepting. It rode from a low position so there was no distance to fall and what i felt behind me was an endless flow of support.
Vulnerability gave me freedom to experience great power.
I have similiar views on expectations too.
The path to me is one which blows me away. It leaves me in tears of amazement, saying to myself "OMG! Did u see that?! I never knew! Wow".
Expect nothing and experience anything. How exciting?
Keep that cup empty I say.
The smart person says "I know this".
The wise person says "I know nothing".
I just love this article....
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I just love this article.... It's touching on everything I am feeling and working with right now.... The doubt, sitting in the unknown and staying open in that space, being ok with not knowing where things are going and releasing any expectation from the moment. Just as I feel A sense of openness and acceptance with the moment, I feel invited to go deeper with this sense, to carry it into the places I feel twinges of doubt and to expand and unwind it. I feel all these things working within me at this time... Thank you for posting this... It feels like grand support. With love and gratitude, Jen
Absolute Vulnerability
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I scheduled a treatment session this morning with my chiropractor/shamanic healer. I explained to him that I've been experiencing painful spasms in my left upper back when I reach for things such as food items in the fridge. Last summer he showed me a technique about reaching from the centre of my body to maximize the body's natural energy flow, but I just didn't get the deeper meaning behind it. So I haven't been diligent about using it. Today we explored my emotions behind the physical act of reaching out. Mostly, I have continued to reach from the left and right sides of my body with closed hands. Fearful that I won't get what I "need." Attaching to outcomes. My chiropractor, once again, reminded me of the technique to first place my open hands over my heart in the centre of my chest before I reach from there. Centred. Open and vulnerable to giving and receiving what wants to flow. Open mind. Open heart. Open hand. I got the deeper meaning this time.
I appreciate this wonderful article about absolute vulnerability. Thank you, Open.
xxx Catherine
Restrained of my own constraint
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So often when I read all the sharings reflection occurs. Sent me to my writings to search for this one. I can hardly express how grand it is to experience all of you after exploring solitarily for so so long. Here goes..
Restrained within my own constraints
Sensing the boundary there to define
Leashing the mind inhibits, comfortable I succeed to exist
Is this the life I would consciously choose to enlist
Driving the physical being to pain, electrifying pulse stimulates the soul
Able to soar without a sense of reason
Invigorating life to a heightened awareness
Intensifying the extra sensory perception, elevating to the most extreme degree
Silently awakened
Paralyzed, yet exuberantly energy rages
Whom, what, where is it I seek?
Revealed so vulnerable to myself
Torn, yet I remain the observer
How long will this tumultuous process torture me even though it's of my own doing
Controlling the raging energy that channels through
Primitive instincts alter perception, weaving through taking root
Flowing into the never ending
I am restrained of my own constraint
That's a writing from a couple years back.It's all so magnificently grand even the years of perceived pain gave stimulated enlightened.. I wouldn't take back one second Glorious day and I am so grateful for all of this profound honesty.
Well said Mike
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- "The wings of vulnerability are made with very delicate feathers yet they can weather storms beyond imagination."
Montségur, France
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Hi Folks,
Anyone knows something about the Chatars in France ?? Im going,(again to the Castle of Montségur) in Mary Magdalene-country.....;) There is a vortex there...
Anyone has a info, of any kind, about that place....I´m want a prayer, that belongs to the Chatars....where can I find sutch ?? Give me a link, video, inform... Thanks... Namasté Filippa
I don't know who I am anymore
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- "Would it be right to say that the mastery of the path has to do with learning to adapt fast?"
Yeah :)
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Would it be right to say that the mastery of the path has to do with learning to adapt fast?
It would include sensitivity to what is happening, flexibility or surrender to it and letting go of what was up till this moment and a fast reaction - a cooperation with willpower to break through whatever is in the way and do what is needed/demanded without getting too rigid and in the head about it?
And what would be your tip about doubt - when you feel there is a thread, but you are not sure what it is, and also there are other things that are coming into landscape as if to distract OR help to sort out what to do in comparison with what not to do hhhh
I tried waiting until it gets clearer. But then what happened to me a lot is that things didn't get any clearer and I found out that I was dissolving something on the way. So I learned not to wait, but act and then find out what is the wrong/right thing to do.
Surrender is not acceptance of anything goes
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Empowerment through making myself know
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Absolutely wonderful article, Thanks!
I have a small question.
During recent year I went through a series of challenging situations and events that actually made me feel as if I am demanded to make a choice, to 'know' what I want to do now and then empower myself through following it no matter what. The only thing I didn't know is whether the choice I've made is right or wrong (aligned or not) hhhh
So there WAS not-knowing in the process, but within this not-knowing I had to focus on something and make my way to it. It feels like almost spiritual growing up, spiritual teenagehood. Like "that's it, flowing joyously on the wave is over and now please, make choices and take responsibilities", which is tough.
What is your 'understanding' of this paradox? I mean, did you experience anything like it?
My shot: there is the way of getting connected to ray 2 (through vulnerability) and there is a way to connect to ray 1 (possibly through just doing it?)...
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