More than one thing can be true at the same time.
Do most of us have more capacity than we think we do? Yes
Are most of us capable of far more than we imagine? Yes
Is it possible to expand our capacity through practice, intention & focus? Yes
Is the world mysterious & not bound in many of the ways the overculture has taught us that it (and us) are bound? Also, yes
However….
Is it also true that most of what’s framed as a spiritual ability to ‘expand your capacity’ is simply new age speak for ‘do more, be more productive/efficient & push through’? Absolutely
Every mother knows that the task of attending to herself, her life, and her child is impossible – and yet she does it somehow, even so.
And, also: maybe don’t take advice on expanding your capacity from a young person with no children, if you’re a mama to a newborn, a solo mama, or a mama of two young children.
Everyone who has ever walked through grief knows the task is both impossible & yet they are doing it, even so.
And, also: maybe don’t compare your capacity to that of a woman in her 30’s if you are a woman in your 40’s or 50’s.
Everyone who has ever stayed devoted to a dream bigger than herself knows it is impossible & yet she does it, even so.
And, also: maybe don’t learn about expanding your capacity from a man with an enormous team supporting him if you’re a woman on the menopausal journey, raising teenagers & caring for an elder – no matter how ‘shamanic’ he may be.
And while we’re at it:
Let’s stop villainizing limitation(s)
Let’s stop telling the lie that there are no limits
Let’s stop glorifying the idea that limitlessness is the goal
I have been solo-mama to two tiny humans, while building a business & also moving homes 4 times in 5 years.
I have had years of not knowing if a check would reach my bank account before another check cleared.
I have chosen to birth a 2nd child when I didn’t know if I was going to survive my first.
I have walked away from relationships with nothing but a suitcase – terrified of what would come next.
I have bought land when I had no idea what I was doing, or if I would have the money to do it.
I have prayed & danced & breathed & cried & wailed in the process.
I have surrendered it all up to god.
I have asked for help in ways that embarrassed the hell out of me.
And through it all I have honored the very real limits of my body, my life, time, this earth.
I have given thanks for them, even.
Our limits as well as our glory are what make us human & humane.
We are not made better by pretending to be what we are not.
We are not expanded by disdaining our animal bodies.
We are not made better by imagining we can outrun old age or death.
No persona of real wisdom ever thought they could cheat death.
No shaman of any real merit ever thought they deserved limitlessness.
So, by all means: expand your capacity.
Expand your capacity for love.
Expand your capacity to feel.
Expand your capacity to meet your own limitations with humility.
Expand your capacity to be human.
