Transformation is one of the most challenging processes we can encounter in life.
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It is about dismantling our entire existence, belief & habitual patterns while seeking refuge in the unknown and trusting the process.
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The journey of spiritual growth asks us to continuously evolve and grow. Heal more layers of trauma one by one. Shedding the layers of programming and conditioning that held us bonded and blinded in an illusion of our existence that can be much greater than we anticipated.
It is a golden cage that offers us comfort and the illusion of safety and security away from the World that actually needs to be explored in ‘wonder and awe´.
Transformation can always be seen as an arduous process where we cannot avoid the tears of letting go and the burning down of existing bridges that held us tied to a world we created.
For new creation to come forth the old needs to be destroyed.
Like the universal dance of creation and destruction depicted in the metaphorical symbolism of the powerful yoga pose Natarajasana, also known as Lord of the Dance pose.
Transformation is reflected in this pose derived of the Hindu mythology, as we speak of the Dance of the Universe of a cosmic cycle of Creation and Destruction. Shiva performs the Tandava a cosmic dance that symbolizes the eternal cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. The pose represents this balance between opposing forces and the constant flow of the universe. Practicing Natarajasana can symbolize one's alignment with these universal rhythms—moving with grace and balance through life's cycles of creation (new beginnings), sustenance (stability), and dissolution (letting go of what no longer serves).
It represents the idea of balancing opposing forces in life—action and stillness, effort and surrender, the material and the spiritual. Just as the pose requires balancing on one leg, it teaches us to find balance amidst life's dualities.
The upward stretch of one arm and leg signifies aspiration toward higher consciousness, while the grounded foot anchors the practitioner in reality, reflecting the balance between spiritual aspirations and earthly responsibilities. The balance between living between dimension of 3D and 5D. in practicing this asana, one symbolically overcomes the limitations of ego and attachment, embodying inner freedom and enlightenment.
Shiva’s dance is often depicted as occurring within a ring of fire, symbolizing the transformative power of time and the ever-changing nature of life. Natarajasana metaphorically invites the practitioner to find inner grace even in challenging and turbulent circumstances. Natarajasana encourages practitioners to view life as a canvas for creative expression, allowing personal evolution, creativity, and transformation to flow freely.
Another mythological creature that speaks of transformation is the Phoenix.
The bird that burns down to ashes to be reborn again. In various cultures this mythological creature represents different symbolism.
Origins of the Phoenix Myth
Ancient Egypt:
The earliest mentions of the phoenix come from ancient Egypt, where it was known as the Bennu bird. Associated with the sun god Ra, the Bennu symbolized creation and renewal. In Egyptian mythology, the Bennu would die in a self-made fire and rise from its ashes, representing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The Bennu was also connected to the Nile's flooding, which brought life to the land, emphasizing its link to regeneration.
Ancient Greece and Rome:
Greek and Roman myths popularized the phoenix as a firebird that lived for 500 years, built its own funeral pyre, and rose from the flames reborn. For the Greeks, it symbolized immortality and the cycle of time. Roman writers like Tacitus and Ovid added ideas of endurance and purity, making the phoenix a symbol of the Roman Empire’s strength and resilience.
Chinese Mythology:
In Chinese mythology, the Fenghuang is the phoenix’s counterpart, symbolizing the balance of yin and yang, virtue, and grace. It was said to appear only during peaceful times, representing harmony and divine blessing. The Fenghuang also symbolized the empress and represented feminine energy and the ruling dynasty’s legitimacy.
Christianity:
In early Christian symbolism, the phoenix represented Christ’s resurrection and eternal life. Its death and rebirth symbolized the soul’s immortality and the hope of life after death. Early Christian art used the phoenix as a sign of Christ’s victory over death, symbolizing redemption and spiritual rebirth.
Let´s dive deeper in the spiritual meaning of the Phoenix within the ancient practice of Taiji (Tai chi)
They both naturally resonate with each other and embody themes of transformation, resilience and harmonization of dualities becoming one.
The balance between yin and yang with the cultivation of both strength and softness to promote a flow of energy (qi) that feels transformative, restorative, and enduring. Similarly, the phoenix in mythology represents rebirth, rising from ashes to renew itself, embodying a continual cycle of transformation and the balance of destruction and creation.
In Taiji, practitioners often view the practice as a journey of oneself. Through conscious movement and meditation, old tensions and blockages can be released which are a manifestation of traumata in our body.  Creating space for renewal—much like the phoenix, which undergoes a cycle of death and rebirth.
The phoenix’s cycle of renewal reflects the continuous growth in Taiji, where each movement flows into the next, creating ongoing energy and renewal.
The phoenix also symbolizes a cycle of renewal, showing adaptability and resilience.
Both the phoenix and Taiji focus on ´qi´, or vital energy. In Taiji, ´qi´ flows through the body and is nurtured through movement, breath, and focus, connecting practitioners to life’s natural cycles. The phoenix’s fiery rebirth symbolizes this same life energy, like the inner heat cultivated in Taiji, representing personal growth and transformation.
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