Because our work is integrative, processing is part of the work.

Lately, when I’m not careful, I find myself applying a false and unhelpful standard to my spiritual work. The standard is that if receptive work is at the forefront bringing clarity and new insight, then I’m doing my work well. If instead, my work is in processing and integrating that which I received, then things just “aren’t working”.  Written down like that, or said aloud, it’s obvious. What good is new information, new insight, if we can’t integrate it into ourselves and our lives? Very little.

But the truth is, processing, integrating, moving the new understanding, the new way of working, the deeper insight into all the parts of ourselves, and into our practice, our daily lives, our choices… this is the hardest and most important work of all.

In my work, this is a very cyclical process: Receive, understand, process, understand more deeply, integrate. And then it starts back at the beginning. If I go back through my journals I can see it play over and over. It’s a strong, healthy process. That is, except in the place where I devalue the work of processing.

Is there a part of your work that you unconsciously devalue? Take a look at it. Is it truly not a valuable part of things? Does your practice need a tune up? Or does your perspective on your practice need the tune up?