Chapter 2, Lesson 5: Shattering

Welcome to Chapter 2, Lesson 5 of Finding Your Way. In this lesson, we will discuss the movement of shattering. Shattering occurs whenever we are overwhelmed. As I will discuss in more detail at the end of Chapter 5, our psyche is not a unitary construct. It is in fact a group mind composed of countless parts working together in harmony and (all too often) disharmony. When we shatter, the group mind decoheres and temporarily falls apart. In a very real sense, the group mind - our psyche - dies a sort of death. The group mind will eventually reform — usually nearly instantly, although occasionally the shattering can continue for a very long time. When it reforms, it will not be the same thing that it was previously. The newly-formed group mind will be presented with a new choice of whether to seek, hide, cling or shatter in the moment.

If we choose to hide or cling, we fall into a karma and begin to move unconsciously. If we choose to shatter again, we may begin a cycle of ongoing shattering. This sort of ongoing shattering can be recognized as it is occurring — its hallmark is a sense of ongoing confusion.

When we choose to seek, we avoid falling into karma and can hopefully recognize the thing we are attached to that overwhelmed us and caused us to shatter, so that we can release that attachment and avoid shattering in that way in the future.

We shatter at many different levels all of the time. Whenever we are overwhelmed, we are shattering. Whenever we feel frazzled, we are shattering. Whenever we feel rushed, or frantic, or confused, we are shattering. Dissociation is a combination of shatter and hiding. As I will explain further in Chapter 16, most of us quite literally shatter in the space between every moment. In general, most of us do not consciously choose to hide or cling or shatter. As a result, we need an “interruption” to our current personality in order to allow us to unconsciously choose into hiding or clinging. That interruption is shattering. Much of the process of spiritual growth is recognizing moments of overwhelm — moments when we are shattering — and consciously choosing instead to seek.

Shattering, in its essence, is both a crisis and an opportunity. While it may initially seem daunting, it is a crucial part of our spiritual evolution. It's a moment where the old self disintegrates, allowing for the possibility of a new, more enlightened self to emerge. This process can be likened to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly — a complete transformation that requires a temporary dissolution of the former self. It propels us out of our comfort zones, giving us an opportunity to confront our strongest unconscious reactions, and our deepest fears and insecurities. In doing so, it paves the way for profound personal development and spiritual growth.

Shattering is not necessary for growth — ultimately you will learn ways to integrate new learning through the pathway of grace, rather than through shattering. Until then, as you navigate through your own experiences of shattering, remember that this is a journey towards rediscovery and renewal. Each moment of overwhelm, each instance of feeling frazzled or confused, is an invitation to grow, to learn, and to transform.

Shattering largely occurs when reality does not conform with our desires, and we lack the equanimity to remain non-reactive. It is that failure of equanimity that results in shattering, as we allow our attachments to overwhelm us. As with all of the movements, you can cultivate equanimity through mindfulness so that you can recognize shattering as it occurs. You can then face the triggers that cause you to shatter with inquiry, courage, and compassion. Try to avoid allowing yourself to shatter repeatedly from the same triggers. Like everything else, repeated shattering creates conditioned habit patterns in the mind that make it easier to shatter in the future under those circumstances. As with all such conditioned patterns, witnessing the pattern with equanimity is often enough to let it go.

I’ll now transmit to you an energy to help you better recognize shattering as it is happening or soon after, so that you can begin to notice the moments that trigger shattering for you. Rather than avoiding those moments in the future (which would be hiding), you can instead come into acceptance of those moments, witnessing the movement without any reactivity, and thereby letting it go. You can learn to stop dying all the time. Here is the transmission:

{Perceive Shattering as Shattering}

In the next session, we will delve into how these movements — seeking, hiding, clinging, and shattering — influence the orientation of our spiritual journey. We'll explore how to harmonize these movements to facilitate a path of positive growth and expansion, helping you to find joy and unity in every moment.

Until our next lesson and always, may strength and wisdom arise from your moments of shattering, and may your journey be filled with expansive revelations and transformative growth. Be well.