Part of how spirituality works is that you go all in on it. Youāre asked to trust - even when you donāt know. Actually, many spiritual people might share the message that it is precisely in trusting ESPECIALLY when you donāt know, that is the spirituality. Complete surrender or trust of the present moment, without attachment to the future.
Psychologically, āContact with the present momentā is considered an experience that supports psychological flexibility. In itās alternate - fixation around past or future stories (need to find the exact words used from ACT psychological inflexibility) - is considered to be an experience which may promote psychological inflexibility, and possibly increase suffering. Though, where does that leave hope?
It seems that this is where the ācommitted actionā part comes in.
Can we accept and surrender to the uncertainty, but not in a passive way? (E.g. 2027 will solve everything, the future will change, a savior will come). Is that where a shadow for spirituality can come through? Because if we must believe in that āhopefulā future to be OK in the today, surely that is not flexible, surely that is a tricky cage.
I do like the committed actions, and now I think about it, I feel that this is something that can protect us in all sorts of situations. Despite not having control over the outcomes, can we identify and still commit to doing actions that are aligned with our values, even if itās distressing?
One part that distressed me the most about my past, was not being allowed to speak to my family in the way I wanted. Someone else, coercing and controlling my texts, speaking to them using my account, saying it was for my benefit. That hurt, a lot. At the same time, I had a lot of freedoms in my day to day (as long as I didnāt leave the house), to do what I wished. I studied - a lot. I found friendships online and communities that resonated with me. I felt I was able to contribute, which is a value of mine, and so happens to be my Sun sign in Taurus, too, gate 8.5. Many people have said to me: āyouāve done so well, youāve stayed who you areā, and I feel that those committed actions of mine, those actions that I *could* take, aligned to my values, have helped. I feel that I have a knack for this really, and I wonder if itās in my design. A knack for knowing what *feels* like me, and what doesnāt. I donāt have the same knack for actually getting myself out of places quickly, once Iāve identified things. But, I can identify them, and Iām working on the best way I can be committed going forward.
