It would be easier to embrace this truth if we had a better understanding of exactly what "masculine" and "feminine" really mean. Our current definitions are inexorably linked to gender, sexuality, biology, and ego-based lie of male superiority. We have lost touch with many of qualities that were once associated with feminine. In order to rediscover these qualities, we have to go back more than 2,500 years and explore culture of Ancient Greece.

The Ancient Greeks were last civilization to include reasonably healthy feminine archetypes. Of twelve Gods in Olympus, five of them were women. Until very recently, though, we only embraced three of feminine archetypes. Women could be sex objects, in which case they connected with archetype of Aphrodite (or Venus, in Roman pantheon), Goddess of Love, Desire and Beauty. Women could be wives, in which case they connected with archetype of Hera, wife of Zeus and Goddess of Marriage--who, despite her tremendous strength and cunning, was repeatedly forced to be subservient to her philandering husband. And women could be mothers, in which case they connected with archetype of Hestia, Goddess of Hearth and protector of home. These three archetypes embodied sum total of feminine for more than 2,000 years. The male ego successfully suppressed powerful female archetypes of Athena and Artemis, who collectively embody feminine strength, skill and mastery.

Athena was Goddess of Wisdom, Reason and Purity. Severing our connection to her archetype was no small feat, as Athena was one of most revered and respected of all of Olympians. In fact, city of Athens is named after her. Athena was fair, just, and an incredibly powerful warrior. She was embodiment of feminine strength. While Ares, God of War (and Greek counterpart to Mars, Roman God of War) was wantonly destructive, childish, violent, aggressive, and ultimately a coward, Athena was proud, strong, and courageous. More importantly, Athena would only fight in order to defend city--she would never initiate any conflicts, and she always preferred diplomacy to warfare.

MEETING OUR OWN SAFETY NEEDS When we realize that we feel unsafe or that our fight-or-flight response is active, first thing we must do is evaluate if we are actually in a dangerous or threatening situation. If we feel unsafe walking through a deserted parking lot in middle of night, we should certainly honor that feeling and stay on our guard! When used correctly, fight-or-flight response is designed to save our lives. We simply need to learn how to weed out false alarms. If we feel unsafe and there is no reasonable threat to our life or limb, then our fight-or-flight response was activated by our egos, and we can safely disengage it.

The most common reason that we feel unsafe is that we are projecting our attention into future or past. Our power only exists in present; when we worry about past or future, we give away our power and feel unsafe. The "Present Moment Safety Exercise" on following page can help to return our awareness to present moment, and bring balance in our master safety account back to its minimum level.

Often, in order to feel safe enough to even do this exercise, we need to create some space. If we're feeling unsafe in a discussion or an argument, we may need to simply walk away--to take a few moments to let our tempers cool. Even though our partner in discussion may not pose an actual physical threat to us, if we're experiencing boundary violations in discussion, we will need to reinforce our boundaries and reclaim our space before we can address our safety needs.

PRESENT MOMENT SAFETY EXERCISE Stop whatever it is that you are doing and take a few deep, cleansing breaths.

If possible, find somewhere to sit or lie down, and then let yourself feel supported by chair, floor, bed or sofa.

As you become aware of your body, and aware of your breathing, feel your mind begin to quiet.

Gently release your attachments to any thoughts and simply observe any activity of your mind.

Softly draw your awareness back to present moment. The more we worry about past or future, more unsafe we feel. The only place we have any power is in present moment.

Experience truth that in present moment you are safe. The past has already happened, and future does not exist yet. Remember that we create our futures through our choices.

Take a moment to feel truth that in present moment--in this moment, and in every moment--you are supported, safe and nurtured. Because you are an individualized aspect of All That Is, your needs are automatically met.

Let your awareness rest on your breath. Let your mind quiet. And for a few moments, simply be. Simply experience what it feels like to be completely safe, completely supported.