Hold the Space

As a psychologist and shamanic practitioner, I have listened, hour after hour, as my clients and students conveyed the anxiety, fear and general unease they are feeling regarding the upcoming election.  “What will happen if Trump wins? Will the right to control my own body be lost, will my right to free speech evaporate?  What will happen if Trump loses?  Will there be violence or even worse a civil war?  Will there be a larger war in the Middle East no matter who wins?” Some talk of feeling slimy and dirty after listening to the debates. Women with sexual abuse histories are triggered by the sexual assault accusations.  Just as many in psychotherapy confront the reality that their family is at times dysfunctional, as a nation we have been forced to face the myriad ways in which our political system does not work.

A general state of unease permeates the country that threatens to impact our general well-being as Election Day approaches.    The energy of fear and uncertainty can lead to a sense of powerlessness and defeat, and may even draw that which we fear.

I would urge you all, however, to hold the space for the vision of what you want the outcome to be.  By this I do not mean to merely focus on your candidate winning.  I am asking you to envision the type of country and government that you want.  Do you want a government that is run by the rich and powerful and has the power to shut down the government or block any appointments to the judicial system, including the Supreme Court, that do not support their self-interest?  Do you want a political system that traffics in insults, lies and dredging up dirt on their opponent?  Do you want a government in which there is no ability to compromise or listen to the ideas of one with whom you do not agree 100%?  This is the government and electoral system that we currently have.  Take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to conjure the image of how you would like the government to function.  What would the tone of the government be, how would you set out to heal the large divide that threatens to tear us apart?  If we all envision what we want our government to be in tone and function, we can establish a strong energetic force that can counter the greed and ugliness that exists today.  If we fall into despair and powerlessness, then we are easily manipulated and exploited.  So, create the vision that you want, combine it with peace and compassion and send it out with your heart into the world.