body balance | Alisa Battaglia

INTEGRATION of the MASCULINE and FEMININE PRINCIPLE

By Alisa Battaglia, BD, EFT, CHT, TH

The expressions of masculine and feminine energies are the focal point when we lose ourselves or encounter troubled parts of our being. When the Anima and Animus or soul is disconnected, there is self-devaluation and subjection to all sorts of self-limiting beliefs and painful emotions. Unfortunately, the systemic root within modern culture is to look outside of self for answers to inner dilemmas. This attitude is most prominent in the realm of relationships where vital energy for achieving inner congruency expends itself outwardly in search for the perfect companion. Although, relationships are one of the most fulfilling aspects of life because they mirror what is necessary to learn about ourselves through another, they also promote co-dependence when we look to them for our wholeness. Using a relationship as a crutch or distraction from self always stifles growth. Instead, we might guide one other to connect with the authentic self, the wise inner being that nourishes and frees us from attachments.

Regardless of gender or sexual orientation, there is both a feminine and a masculine part of our nature. True femininity, is connected to the masculine and true masculinity is connected to the feminine. Bridging and maintaining balance between these two compelling forces of energy is a power sharing arrangement. The archetypal forces of the assertive masculine qualities and the receptive feminine qualities are both fundamental parts of our bio-psycho-spiritual development.

Too often, there is restraint from fully animating the masculine side of nature because there is belief that it will harm or violate others, especially if experience has proven it so. In reality, power is neutral and depending on intent, power either harms or helps. In addition, the feminine counterpart erroneously equates with weakness and accommodation. However, we are power, effective and free when we animate both our masculine and feminine energies from a place of love and openness as opposed to fear and defensiveness. The result of inner fusion produces a shift in consciousness as a state of sovereignty within us. Sovereignty allows the soul that is whom we are to achieve with ease its true purpose, which frees us of co-dependency so we may relate to others in an authentic way that is not sabotaged by neediness of the bifurcated personality.

The feminine and masculine archetype represents through the right and left halves of the brain and the corresponding sides of the body. It is always interesting to note the side of the body where personal will, injury and pain originate. Are they fairly limited to one side of the body or are they evenly dispersed in different areas? Observing the pattern and where tensions or dis-eases, our strengths or weaknesses in body and character are held, is just as important as to which side of the body the imbalance dominates. Essentially, the left side of the body is the receptive side of the body with a negative ion (-) and therefore, feminine, which relates to emotions and intuition. The feminine principle provides the nurturing, inner awareness and vision to guide us through life. The right side of the body with a positive ion (+) is action oriented and therefore, masculine, which relates to logic and focused mental pursuits. The masculine principle provides the action and the will needed to meet our destination. If the introspective feminine is underactive and the active masculine is overactive, a clear and soulful sense of life direction is absent. Conversely, if an appropriate direction is envisioned of where we want to go in the feminine, but the masculine is underactive, there lacks will, making it difficult to ignite into action and accomplish goals.

Overactive masculine energy is characterized by tough love, hyper mental focus and achievement oriented. In such an overactive state, alot of mental energy is expended -circuitously locked in a pattern of unfulfillment even after months or years of effort only to feel burdened with a backlog of unfinished projects and unfulfilled desires. This often relates to people married to their job or see value in life only in terms of materialism. In turn, underactive feminine energy often becomes an “inability to do” that relies on relationships as a substitute for self-development. Internally, masculine and feminine energies need to be working in tandem to protect mutual sovereignty. This means that when the relationship between the masculine and feminine self is non-communicative, inner energies are not working together in harmony and therefore, vulnerable to internal and external invasion. While the feminine is most vulnerable to the controlling masculine and saviorship patterns, the masculine is equally responsible for the pattern of invasion of its feminine counterpart and others. If the male cannot trust and surrender to his inner feminine he will find it difficult to trust and surrender in his relationships or will use his fear and mistrust to seek power over others. If the female cannot trust and use her masculine edge or inner phallic to defend herself or her family unit and support herself wisely, she will use this energy negatively to her detriment. She will either mistrust or hurt others with it unable to trust or surrender in her relationships or she will give her energy away on a silver platter and render herself victim to masculine power. She is unable to stand in her presence and fortify boundaries to feel safe, which is masculine energy. The healing process begins when a relational dialogue develops between the masculine and feminine energies, one at a time. This means getting to know the energetic expressions of each domain and how they play out in our lives.

Wise to grasp that men and women are equal in value, but different in function. Understood this way both gender principles can be developed equally, rather than take a lopsided approach. For example, a common experience occurs when the feminine vision is clear, but the masculine heads off in another direction for lack of inner dialogue that prevents understanding and/or achievement of true purpose. In such a state of imbalance, the inner feminine expression is thwarted and fear takes over trust, intuitive guidance or wisdom. However, when knowingness and common sense of the masculine is confirmed by the feminine intuition, balance is found. We need to be both strong and sensitive, to dance without being polarized.

Awareness produces an ever-increasing dictum of how life exists in polarity or dual nature. When the masculine and feminine self becomes an integrated composite of highly creative energies or sovereign, spiritual forces flow throughout the body and we experience our lives more fully, inner directed and move forward on our path. When these energies are out of balance, progress is generally difficult, if not impossible.

Cultivating spiritual ethics, a set of values mediated not by thinking, but by feeling truth is a path of action that takes us from awareness to presence and in touch with lovingness, compassion and kindness that does not harm, but protects life.

Does this Sound Familiar?

After several rounds of eating your favorite dessert question, “What is causing this to happen’ & “Why do I want this right now?” Pondering these questions en route to the fridge, pantry, special drawer, or better, as you’re entertaining it – will surprise you to learn your answers to these questions.

The key to releasing cravings is to recognize them as they arise. Attention placed on the current emotional state automatically sets up an interruption of the pattern. The interruption is “noticing” the craving. Craving a particular food is an indication that your body already has too much of it. It indicates imbalance in the body, which can lead to food allergy. Sugar, caffeine, carbohydrates, meat, and dairy all affect mood and only lead to health problems in the end so, try not to indulge in negative cravings, as they will always spiral out of control.

Cravings come from the unconscious. They’re patterns that we’re used to and do not think much about because they provide comfort. We all have a need for immediate satisfaction, to seek after the pleasure principle, whose innate response urges us to insulate our true feelings with something – whether with food, drugs, alcohol, sex, shopping, gambling, gaming, or whatever. Whatever one’s delight, it is meant to dissipate physical tension, at least temporarily to soften the edges.

Cravings offer a positive side, too. It’s the way the body sends us messages to maintain balance, to refuel our energy or lift our moods. For instance, the body may require Vitamin C to help heal a cold. Desiring an orange or citrus would be a result of a good craving and positive habit to reach for an orange. Body wisdom is working by sending us messages to maintain balance. Yet, if we ignore these messages for any prolonged period to find equilibrium, the more we get out of control and suffer the negative repercussions of our faulty habits and unresolved emotional cravings.

Learning to listen to the needs of the body is essential, as are the responses we get from eating food that causes symptoms (gas, indigestion, acid reflux, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, skin problems, bad breath, headaches, achy joints, etc). So, whenever the body is craving something, pause for a moment and wonder, “What’s really going on here?” “Is this craving coming from my body or my emotions?”

When we find ourselves impulsively reaching for some food, take a moment to slow down, breathe, and reevaluate the situation and consider what your heart and Soul are really asking for. Remember that the pause alone sets up an interruption to the behavior to overcome the craving. The choice is yours. We may choose to honor our bodies needs with Love or to hop onto the vicious cycle of negative pattern repetition where dissatisfaction, self-loathing, and low esteem await claim.

The point of focus is to look for food imbalances, emotional deficits and behaviors in your life that are often the underlying cause of cravings. Many times what we think are emotional cravings are cravings caused by nutritional imbalances that affect emotion, and vice-versa.

To help move through the emotional impulses and understand the why. I have the tools to help you. Schedule an appointment to bring balance and well-being into your life.