Divine Masculinity
I’d like to start this off with a disclaimer that I personally do not believe in gender.
I believe that gender is a byproduct of our collective societal ego mind that is too small to understand the ways in which we are more similar than we are different, and so we have a compulsive need to categorize everything ad infinitum.
That said, I use the terms “masculine” and “feminine” in my practice a great deal because I see the benefit in using language that, due to our collective programing around gender, has implied meanings that don’t require us to get into creating new language to cover what they already do a great job of indirectly speaking to.
So, let’s dive in!
As Divine beings we’re all a combination of Divine femininity and Divine masculinity, and in order to be our most whole and integrated selves, those parts must be in balance. But so many of us can’t find that balance because we don’t even know what our Divine selves look like or how to embody them. In the last post we discussed Divine Femininity, and this post is all about Divine Masculinity.
Think of your whole self like two coins (one masculine and one feminine), with one side showing the Divine and one side showing the gender-normative, toxic stereotypical tropes that our society assigns to specific genders.
If you flip the coin in the air and it falls to the ground with the toxic side facing up, the Divinity is hidden and can’t be seen.
Like Schrödinger’s cat, if you can’t see it, does it exist? Can it?
But if you flip it over, with the Divine side facing up, it’s the toxicity that can no longer be seen, and therefore no longer exists!
They are two sides of the same coin. They cannot simultaneously exist—except for on the flip of the coin.
This means your Divinity can’t be seen when all you’re exhibiting is toxic behavior.
Our goal is it turn our Divinity outward, allowing it to illuminate everyone…but first it starts with us.
We need to shine that light inward on ourselves before it can grow to shine on everyone else.
So let’s talk about the two sides of masculinity: the toxic, and the Divine.
The Bully: he’ll punch a dude out in a bar for looking at you funny. He’ll club the saber-toothed tiger and save his little cave-family. Violence is his solution.
The Breadwinner: He brings home the bacon. He puts a roof over your head. He pays your dowry.
The Rock: he’s strong. He feels nothing. Except for anger.
When you flip the coin over to its divine side those tropes go from:
The Bully to The Protector: he knows how to protect himself and those he loves. When you are your most divine masculine self you are able to set boundaries for yourself and your loved ones, and speak up for the oppressed and those who can’t defend themselves.
The Breadwinner to The Provider: he gives you what you need. When you are your most divine masculine self you are able to ask yourself, “what do I need in this moment?” and then find a way to give it to yourself or ask for someone else to meet your needs without shaming yourself for having said needs.
The Rock to The Resilient: he is strong and courageous as he leans into his vulnerability. When you are your most divine masculine self you are able to heal your wounds and find resilience on the other side. Just like a wound that develops scar tissue and is stronger after healing, you understand that in order to be resilient you must first do your work to heal. You know that the only way out is through.
When we can set our boundaries respectfully but unapologetically, we are Divine. When we can ask ourselves what we need and then give it to ourselves, we are Divine. When we can do our work to heal our trauma with self compassion, we are Divine.
Regardless of your gender or non-gender, these traits are key to finding your divine balance, your Yin and Yang.
