When we consider what we are capable of or what is possible in our lives, the idea of limitation comes to the forefront of our minds and experience. More often than not, we feel that limits and restrictions are placed upon us by some outside force. This perception is largely incorrect. For the most part, we need to understand that the reality of our lives is within our control through the choices we make and what we decide to believe. It is also important for us to recognize that there are some things that are outside our control and therefore unable to change. How do we make the distinction between the two? Let’s take a look at limitation in a broader context to see if we can find out how.
To truly understand what limitation is, it’s important to view it as a “perceived limitation”. The larger reality of the soul is limitless in its potential expression, but the ego’s perception of potential is limited by its attachment to the past. Per our previous discussion of the ego, we recall that the ego is the sum total of past experience only. The ego does not have access to the future or the potential that exists there. It does, unfortunately, have access to the present moment of our experience by exerting its control within the mind through a constant reminder of the past. When we attempt to create something new in our lives, the ego fights us every time because it only knows what exists in the past. The implication then is that the ego wants things to remain the same. This is how we can understand limitation as a tool used by the ego to control our experience in the present moment. Most limitations are therefore self-imposed and not based on reality. As we seek change or the building of a better future for ourselves, we must not allow our past to dictate what is possible. To use our past in a productive manner, we allow it to be a foundation to building anew. We will be much more successful if we learn from our past experiences. This is the selective part of the process, for we need to bring forward into the present what has worked and let go of that which has not. If we do not let go of the parts that do not work, we will constantly recreate the past and all that it contains. The future provides for us potential, but it has not arrived yet. This unknown future has the element of insecurity within it and provides an opportunity for the ego to generate fear and hang on to the past, which we know, and the future, which we do not know. This is confusing and frustrating and has the potential to immobilize us into a state of non-action. It is clear how this constant state of motion creates the exhaustion we so often feel. What is the answer? The answer can be found in the middle of these two. It is called the present moment. This is where past understanding and creative potential exist, all at the same time. Every moment is a new moment, whether we recognize it or not. The only real power we have is to realize we have the gift of choice in these moments. Do we remain in the status quo, or do we build? In order to exercise the control we do have within our experience, we must make a decision. The decisions we make in every moment contain within them the freedom from control we seek. The idea that all things are possible is a little misleading, however. It is equally important to be practical and realistic in our approach. Over zealousness can lead to disappointment and cuts us off at the knees! Believe it or not, a slow but sure progression will get us there faster. Self-imposed limitation is an area we have control over, but there are also areas we do not have control and therefore must accept. Let’s take a closer look.
There is a multitude of aspects or facets to the human experience. It is the intent of the soul to help us be more complete or well-rounded. It also needs to be understood that we cannot develop all of these areas all at once. In the evolution of the “self”, there are times when we become lop-sided in a sense and need to focus on one particular aspect or another in order to get back into balance. Another way to look at it is that one part of us may be developing too quickly, while another area is underdeveloped and in need of attention. We all have some area of our lives where we are limited, sometimes greatly, and a correction becomes necessary in order to create a proper state of balance. Some of us have a physical disability or a mental disability. Some of us have difficulty in finding a loving relationship or manifesting money and resources to assure our survival. Whatever it might be, we all have something. These limitations are imposed on us, in a sense, by our soul or higher self for the purposes of our greater development. These life conditions are viewed as the necessary portion of limitation, and we have little control over them in terms of changing the condition itself. We do, however, have the opportunity to view these conditions from a higher perspective or purpose. If we understand this type of limitation as an opportunity to grow or develop in another area of our life, we will not feel victimized by it. We all have our “crosses to bear” as they say, but we often fail to recognize the opportunity presented to us. It is so important to have compassion for ourselves and others in this regard, as we all have some form of suffering to endure. Some limitations we encounter in our experience have karmic implications, but that is for a future discussion. For now, it is critical for us to accept what we have been given as a gift and as an opportunity to develop qualities that help us be better human beings overall. We are not being punished by any means, but we are being allowed an opportunity to increase our self-understanding through enhanced awareness of our greater self and the purpose it contains. Let’s consider a few examples of what this type of limitation might provide for us:
A physical disability might give us the opportunity to develop the mental or thinking part of ourselves. Steven Hawking is a great example.
Perhaps our inability to find a loving relationship gives us a way to pursue some grand artistic endeavor.
Maybe the reason we have financial difficulties is, so we can gain a proper perspective with the material side of things compared to the adoption of higher values.
It is possible we encounter a lot of death in our life so that we value our own life more and give it all we’ve got!
We may experience a lot of fear in our life so that we can notice how strong and courageous we are.
As you can see, there is always a silver lining within the limitations of our experience. We just have to look! If we perceive something as being a bad thing, we are unable to participate fully in our growth and development. A sense of joy and adventure becomes possible when we accept what we cannot change and focus on what we can change. We are the captain of our own vessel in the truest sense. We have what it takes!
All my love and support, stay safe and be well