What Whiro can teach us about self-awareness.
Like us humans, ngā atua Māori (Māori gods, elemental forces) have many layers and express themselves in many different ways. Take Whiro for instance, he’s the authority of everything bad in the world. He’s the influence to stay in bed and snooze the alarm*, he’s the energy that manifests and feeds on negativity; in our thoughts, emotions and in various physical expressions as well.
How delightful.. let's pause on dogging on the guy for a sec and ask,
why?
Why do these elements exist in our world? Why do we feel a way about something that triggers a negative response? Why do we consider an 'easy' way? Why do we entertain the idea of not maximising on who we are and settle for mediocre?
What better way than to look at the whakapapa (process) of how Whiro became the atua as we know him, today. I mentioned in the first blog about how Whiro wasn't always this way, but being upstaged by his little bro, Tāne, must've taken it's toll. Not only was Whiro the king of grudges, he wrote the playbook on it and thus misfortune and negative, toxic energy was given a catalyst.
Now, remember that we are made up of all the atua, they gave parts of themselves to Hineahuone (Earth Maiden, first woman). Pair that up with the notion that we are born into the world of light, Te Ao Mārama - the world made possible by Tāne... the result is;
we are whakapapa in action.
We embody thousands of years of genealogy, origins and processes. We personify Tāne, Tūmatauenga (atua of war), Tāwhirimatea (atua of wind) and co who are constantly battling against Whiro. On an environmental level - pollution, waste, infections, war; on a personal level - depression, illness, lack of motivation, self-sabotage, abuse etc. and every other level you could think of as well!
We're becoming more aware of what Whiro can look, feel, taste or sound like - if you haven’t taken the space to analyse how you engage with Whiro/how Whiro engages with you, I strongly recommend it #selfawarenessforthewin2018. You should do it. Make the world a better place..
If Whiro focused on what he could control, if he accepted that his brother was better than him at some things, if he accepted that his expectations weren't in line with his reality, if he didn't let others successes deter him from his own path,
if Whiro was self-aware..
Now, replace Whiro's name with your own, and imagine how amazing your life will be. Action it, and have a great day.
Ngā mihi,
Hana
*For an awesome in-depth kōrero about how Whiro affects your motivation, check out this piece from Whakapapa Fridays.