In today’s society we have reached a point where there is a battle of the
sexes. This is not a new thing, it has been this way for over 50 years. It was
in the 1960’s when women began burning their bras in support of Women’s Rights.
Feminism was born. The 1960’s was a time of revolution; social revolution,
cultural revolution and conscious revolution. It was a time of growth.
Anyway, it was during this time of Revolution that many women wanted
equal rights to men and they no longer wanted to just be housewives and mum’s.
They wanted careers, they wanted recognition and they did not just want to be a
support for their men. They wanted to be seen. Fair enough too! Why shouldn’t
they be recognised for the people that they are!? They say that behind every
good man is an even better woman… and Women wanted to show how good they were.
Unfortunately, it was with the advent of Feminism, that clashes between the
sexes occurred. Men felt threatened with this burgeoning wave of Women’s
Rights. What if Men were pushed off their pedestal and they lost their spot to
a Woman?! Shock, horror! That would surely be the end of the world!
Well, this was over 50 years ago, the world didn’t end, there wasn’t a
definitive battle between male and female, and the world went on. The social
fabric had not been ripped. Feminism was maintained over the years, although in
conjunction with this, it seems that Men were undergoing their own evolution,
or de-evolution as it may be. It used to be that a boy became a man when he
left school and got a job. With this came responsibilities; Mortgage, Family,
Husband, Father. It seemed that Life itself allowed you to become a Man. Well,
when Feminism came into play and when it seemed that the social fabric was
being threatened, the fragile male psyche also became threatened. Men were
losing their identities. This was a perception, but it was taken on board all
the same. The delicate social fabric was
gradually being torn down. Questions arose; and Males asked; ‘If I lose my
identity, who am I’? A generation of men had the same thought.
It seems that this Generation of men who had this thought passed this on
to their sons. And their sons took this on also; although it was felt more
acutely. This new generation of Men had lost their identity - not all, but some
– and they felt lost. They had lost their Masculine essence. They had lost
their sense of direction, and therefore had lost their purpose. As a result, many men today are just mere
shadows of their former selves. Some Men experience depression and anxiety,
some function well, although have an overt shadow side to their being, and this can come out through violence or criminal activity. Some are
lost and can never realise their true power.
Part of the problem here is that many Men two generations ago allowed
themselves to be defined by their work, their career or their job. The problem
with this is that jobs and careers come and go. One day you have one and things
are good, the next day you might have it pulled away from you. Whoosh. Identity
gone. What just happened?
Maybe we need to look at Manhood
differently now. As Bob Dylan once said, ‘The times they are a’ changin’’.
Society isn’t what it once was. Jobs are harder to come by and life is much
more complicated. Men as a whole need to find an identity that anchors them
with their Sacred essence – their Sacred Masculine- and not something that
society dictates. Men need to find their
Sacred Self; their Divine Masculine; their core.
Life is hard, that will never change. Their will always be challenges,
but what we need to know is that through challenge, growth is sure to come.
Men, accept the challenge and grow as a result. Find your Sacred Masculine and
honour it.
There is no division in this world except perceived division, the two
halves of Masculine and Feminine create the whole. Two opposites create the
whole. This is the principle of Yin and Yang. Unity is all there is. Society
creates the division. Realise the truth and accept the man that you are.
Peace to All,
Ben.
