“You can’t make use of a map, if you don’t know where you are on it.“
Žiga Grušovnik
How would you describe yourself? How do you usually feel and how would you say you generally experience the world and your life? If we simplify the matter: would you say you’re rather gentle or dominant? Or would you perhaps say “mixed”? Any answer is correct and they are definitely interchangeable, as is life overall too; and none is “better than the other”, don’t worry. Being human can be immensely complex, if we make it so, but if we start out simple, we can see, that people pretty much always show their true nature – in their appearance, the way they act, how they interact, react, etc. After we break it down to the core, it usually comes to two sides (“natures”): either you’re gentle or dominant. Allow me to explain further:
In my life changing learning/teaching course – after I had fallen ill to depression and anxiety and sought professional help (to no avail) then “by chance” found someone who could and DID help, along with the opportunity of a lifetime – my mentor established and explained the perspective of character energies. Initially he remarked these energies in a comical/ironic way, saying “you’re either the driver/coachman or the passenger”. And when elaborating the “mixed” energy, I added “…or you’re on your own, on foot“, to which he laughingly nodded. These natures come with their own perks and drawbacks in all cases. Let us take a closer look at these notions and explain how knowing your characteristic can potentially help you understand yourself better and even help you progress forward in life.
Different types of character: Gentle energy
We used to classify these energies to male and female energies too, but they are generally very similar, so we’ll just mention them in general. Let’s start with the gentle energy: as I originate from this one too, speaking from experience, people with gentle nature tend to be easily overwhelmed. By pretty much everything. That’s how I would put it in one sentence. You can also imagine the sensation as “delicate” (that’s actually a better expression; since I am translating this from my native language). These are people stemming usually from families/parents, who “did everything for (instead of) their kids”, inadvertently preventing them from acquiring authentic real-life experiences. Overall, these people are prone to rather psychological, mental and spiritual sensations in comparison to dominant energies who are typically more prone to physical stress. Delicate energies are also very “leadable”, meaning that they are insecure about themselves and therefore believe and follow others (usually dominant energies) quicker. Delicate folks also struggle a lot with self-expression. Silent/held-back/distant and “background” are common terms within all “delicacy”. But through just that they tend to make excellent observers, creators, teachers (-when they learn (how) to express themselves), analysts,, therapists… basically, people with gentler energies hold their unique “warmth” and “purity” within them (something the world largely needs and always benefits from). It’s these energies who sense impending changes and fluctuations the most and the soonest, but, again, are also usually “overshadowed” by them aswell.
The best thing people with this energy can do for themselves is to re-affirm themselves as individuals, putting themselves first (non-egotistically), being gentle, caring and accepting of themselves, just as they are (But without being “babied” too much! That’s a case of “dangers of comfort zone”, which is a whooole other topic…). Then ultimately express themselves/share their warmth with others and “reconnect” (the world, for example 😛 ). That’s a short summary of what makes up “the passenger“-energy. Next, on to “the coachman/driver“.
Dominant energy
Dominant energies: these are like a polar opposite to delicate ones – they are highly assertive, in the forefront, usually louder, upfront and direct, “tough”… but through all that also prone to arrogance, relentlessness; demanding, apathetic, egocentric or ignorant, to not take it further. They also put extreme focus on materialistic aspects as well as looking to “prove themselves” wherever, whenever possible. BUT, dominance is not as bad as I made it sound, don’t be mistaken. Despite being inclined to a lot of negative aspects, these are some of the most hard working and successful people in the world. If you want to learn work ethic, dedication/devotion, the good kind of perfectionism (and sometimes the bad one too), you’re likely going to turn to a person with rather dominant nature. It’s also strong people like these, who make the most impactful “hard-hitting decisions”, both in the personal sphere as well as in business and ultimately “the world at large”. That’s why these kinds of people make (arguably) great politicians and leaders, chiefs and directors; basically leading positions simply require a strong head who takes charge. From there the naming of “coachman/driver” – at some point we all need someone strong to take the wheel and lead us, when we’re too afraid or held back (as delicate energies, for example).
Through their tendency to “overwork themselves“, dominant energies are highly prone to burning out. Physical and mental over-exhaustion is a common side (or end-) effect that ails these energies and when ignored for a while, it frequently doesn’t just end up as a mild case. When our physical body is already being gnawed upon, that’s already an alarm going off, but when it’s even dismissed on top (ever so slightly), it usually bursts out in heavier cases. With dominant energies that can be in the forms of (chronic) back- and spine-pain, bodily tension (fibromyalgia), even to cancer of various degree, if not addressed for years, for example.
To prevent such extremes, god forbid, people with tendency to dominate have to balance out their devotion to work and material safety with a healthy dose of relaxation, mindfulness and not forget about their own needs and feelings. “Opening up“, to themselves and the world and loosening their rigidness or “traditionalism” – trying something new – are some practical examples of how to do that. Regardless of dominant or gentle nature, we are all “still just human” at the end of the day. 🙂
“Just the right balance” – mixed energy
Speaking of balancing – that’s pretty much exactly what a “mixed” energy or nature would be perceived as. A healthy balance of delicate and dominant. Being strong and devoted, when making decisions in life, taking on tasks and responsibilities and then being kind, gentle, in touch with oneself in times of merriment and calamity. It’s this balanced energy that incorporates true earnesty – being stable enough to develop from/upon and clear/level-headed enough to see the truth in things. Unlike dominant energy, which can be highly charismatic too, mixed nature possesses sincere charisma – stemming from inner warmth/compassion and earnesty/sincerity/purity (translation shortcomings!). Though not even these energies are completely free of restraints – it’s these people who tend to feel most insecurity and fears as they are quite literally “on the cusp of dominance and gentleness” at all times. It’s these individualistic, “free spirits”, who are prone to the biggest and harshest feeling of fear, which often tends to be even emphasised through illusion (-false beliefs from upbringing, for example) and/or are inclined to succumbing to their comfort zone, which leaves them feeling “stuck” and lethargic.
That’s pretty much it. “The person going on foot, next to the bus/carriage with the driver/coachman and passenger(s)” 😛 . Not much more to add to the mixed energy. This is the “status-quo”, dare I say, which we all ought to strive towards. It’s these kinds of energies, that make the most individualistic, ingenious, innovative impacts on the world and life in general. These are usually the passion-driven, silent heroes (“we don’t deserve”), who, just by doing their own thing, make an impact on their personal life and possibly on the lives of others too. Lots of newday influencers are wonderful examples of mixed energy in practice.
Benefits of knowing your own energy
In conclusion, knowing our true nature, in simple terms of gentle, dominant or mixed can very much represent the foundation of our life journey. The better we know ourselves, the better we know what we’re most suited for and how to take on things that we are still yet to be/become. From my observations, we’ve recently begun to strongly adapt the style of:
“We know where we’re going, we know our goal and that is good. But if don’t know from where we are starting out, where we are right now, our goals are always going to remain distant. The journey only starts by acknowledging ourselves, our state and direction in the moment.”
Žiga Grušovnik
Which is the root cause of most modern day disorientation, apathy, prevalent “fear of the future” and many other unpleasant feelings we come across.
It is ultimately the culmination of the smallest moments that lead us forward. We only need to acknowledge them, feel and experience them when they arise, then just release them, move on and before we know it, we arrive at our dream-life. (Who would’ve thought that life is a series of moments?) *wink* 😉
There is much more to this aspect of basic human natures, like how they interact with one another, for example, but this article was meant to simply outline the balance between opposing forces/natures.
So, would you say you’re rather of gentle nature? Perhaps you found some joy in that you feel more comfortable being dominant? Or are you even more startled yet excited to know more as a mixed natured individual? In any case, all comments, thoughts and responses are welcomed! In the end it only matters that you accept and appreciate yourself just the way you are. If you don’t quite feel that way, contact us and we’ll see if we can help you get to know yourself better.
See/read you in another moment in time! 😀
Moment in time 