GATES WITHIN THE SELF
Gate 1
The Gate of Creativity
Gate 1 implies you are highly creative, and there is something relevant about the number 1, because you often prefer to work alone and be left to your own devices. You have a strength of purpose that drives you on and an innate creative flair that can reap a rewarding dividend when applied in the realms of the family, career, dreams, art, music, or sport.
Certainly, getting paid for your creative acts is gratifying, but using your
creativity solely for financial return will often jar your inner sensibilities. What matters about your creativity is not necessarily the reward or acclaim, but the act itself.
You‘re not afraid of pushing the envelope and finding fresh forms of expression that explore new avenues and break new ground. Yours is a creativity that goes beyond the tried and the true. Self-creative, self-motivated, there is something of the mover and shaker about you.
You know that your best work often takes place when you get out of your own way and allow your natural flair to express it self through your abilities. Never
underestimate the creative input you can bring to any project or endeavor.
Gate 2
The Gate of Receptivity
You know your true direction in life. Getting there is the issue. But, as they say don‘t waste time worrying about the ―how‖; just focus on the vision and allow a resolute purpose to guide you. For you, the diamond shape of the Self center might as well be a direction sign saying ―This Way.‖ You know where you‘re headed, whatever obstacles you might face. Your sense of direction is as reliable as a GPS system, whether you are literally lost or others are seeking guidance from you. A core strength means you are receptive and adaptable to what life offers and always seem to know the paths to follow.
Once you have found a direction in life, you can become devoted and determined in your pursuit of it. This is unusual in the sense that you often attune to directions that defy normal expectation or explanation, seeing footprints in the sand that are invisible to others. Indeed, you can be expert in showing others the way, too, and they can return months or years down the line to thank you, long after you‘ve forgotten what you told them.
The strength of this Receptivity really does depend on two factors. If the Self center is defined, your strong sense of purpose will be consistent and lead to much fulfillment. But if the center is undefined, you may well find that your guidance is more reliable for others than for you. Or it might just take you longer to reach your destination.
Just scrunch up the map and throw it away, along with the compass, and trust your inner guidance.
Gate 7
The Gate of Uniformity
You are a natural authority and leader, directing everyone to the same page to work toward a common understanding and purpose. You are unlikely to be the ruler of your world, more the efficient general or manager who shoulders responsibility for how things are organized. Disciplined and regimental within yourself, you know that goals can be attained if your followers, or those who look to you for guidance, fall in with your ways of doing things. You stand for the way forward and hope others see what you see.
With this certainty, it is likely that people will look to you for advice and
instruction. It‘s as if you have the map and the compass and people know to follow. You can be firm but fair, yet can only move forward on the basis of a shared consensus.
Without inner discipline, though, you can get swept away by trends, opinion polls, mob mentality, and the apparent likes and dislikes of those around you. This does not mean that you have to be rigid in your views, but it does mean that it‘s important to recognize and stand by your own truth. If that means going against the crowd or even giving away your leadership role, that is exactly what is needed, provided your stance aligns with your own truth at that moment in time.
However you play it, remember that success doesn‘t have to come by force but can come from capturing the hearts, minds, and enthusiasm of those people who look up to you.
Gate 10
The Gate of Behavior
You tend to have a unique, individual expression of behavior, stemming from a self-respect that is unafraid of what anyone else thinks. Gate 10 represents a love for the journey of life and behaves in a way that is good for you — and you alone.
How you behave, especially under pressure, is dependent on a sliding scale of self-worth, but you would hate to know your actions had done you an injustice or let others down. Indeed, you like to think your unique expression and approach can positively influence how others behave around you.
One thing that underpins all your deeds, manners, and actions is an inherent love of life. So as long as your demeanor matches this joie de vivre, you‘re on the right track!
This is one of four ―love gates,‖ and the Universe‘s intention is for you to bask in self-love and love life itself.
In a sense, having this gate allows you to withstand all the bumps along your way, accepting any indignities heaped on you and staying true to your own vision and trust in life — and yourself. Of course, real life, hard knocks, and the conditioning of others may well have tainted this natural trust. But gate 10 wants you to be comfortable in your own skin and expression, without trying, without fitting in. Individual expression, aligned with what you know to be right and true, brings integrity. There is a need for freshness and you can be versatile and adapt your approach to whatever challenges, troubles, or new directions show up. But happiness only exists when you are following your path, in line with your authority, whether it suits anyone else or not.
Gate 13
The Gate of the Listener
Now, are you sitting comfortably and are you listening? It‘s a stupid question, really, because of course you‘re listening. It‘s in your nature — you are a born Listener.
You could absorb the stories of the world, your shoulder could be drenched by a torrent of tears, and your very being could be mistaken for a listening post where
strangers could unburden themselves and divulge all their deepest, darkest secrets. There is something about your depth that mines stories from everyone around you. ―I‘ve no idea why I‘m telling you this! I hardly know you...‖ is something you‘ve no doubt heard many times.
You might well intend to mind your own business when you enter into social or business environments, but don‘t kid yourself. I‘m not saying you are nosy. Far from it.
You can become fatigued by hearing the life stories of others, but you happen to be a magnet for them. The Universe programmed you that way!
The key to honoring your nature is to move from a position of sympathy to a place of empathy where you can attune deeply to what people are experiencing instead of simply feeling sorry for them. Empathy will lead you to compassion.
You are helping people to find their purpose and direction in life by
acknowledging them, and their efforts and challenges, in the stories they bring to you.
Many healers and therapists have this gate.
Gate 15
The Gate of Humanity
Your modest, unassuming, nonjudgmental nature views humanity as one big family, all interconnected. You are the archetypal humanitarian, committed to improving the lives of others.
This is one of four ―love gates‖ and your love of humanity encourages a unified welfare. You are someone who easily wins the respect, support, and admiration of others with your all-embracing approach to life and your kindness. Equality and fairness are key elements to this gate. Of course, this doesn‘t preclude the possibility that bitter
experiences may have dampened your enthusiasm for being a true humanitarian, but never lose sight of this natural inclination within you.
Your love for interactions with others means you‘re likely to have many friends in all situations and strata of society, from beggars to princes. You will often find yourself the linchpin in social circles, bringing everyone together. But you will feel uncomfortable in any situation where others have control over you, because you are a free spirit who likes to be in the flow of life, unrestricted. Just be prepared for your doorstep to be the first that people arrive on when life gets tough, because they are drawn naturally to the respectful humanitarian that you are.
Gate 25
The Gate of Innocence
There is a gentle, childlike innocence about you that belies a life that is often complicated and demanding. You almost have a secret smile for adversity, because you have a deep trust that the Universe will look after you and love will conquer all. You can therefore embrace the unexpected, knowing you will come through.
This is one of four ―love gates,‖ and you attune to a universal, unconditional form of love that stands in the face of unexpected chaos and drama and keeps on growing wise.
You interact with the world with honesty, truthfulness, and sincerity. How you express yourself is rarely premeditated and often comes with the innocence of a child, regardless of repercussions and sometimes leaving your loving nature vulnerable to being taken advantage of by others. Your good virtue can forgive transgressions but doesn‘t forget them. You are a tender being who is susceptible to rude and obnoxious people, so avoid them if you can. Your innocence — which can be misinterpreted as reckless naïveté — can‘t quite grasp why certain people have such a problem with life when love is all around. ―What is their problem?‖ is something you might often catch yourself saying. For those who wish to offer a reply, they must be ready for your stock response: ―I hear you, but just trust in life.‖
You might attempt healing in the world through your unwavering love and trust, but never underestimate your own need for recuperation when a challenge has been overcome.
Gate 46
The Gate of Serendipity
You have a knack of being in the right place at the right time, living the very
definition of the word serendipity — accidentally discovering something beneficial or fortunate, even when looking for something or someone else.
They say that at least half of success in life is down to simply showing up.
However, luck is not only about being in the right place at the right time but is also reliant on your attitude while there! For you, fortune smiles when you are available and trusting. Watch the personal advancement that can happen when you fall back on an inner confidence that is ready for anything that life serves up. This gate naturally tunes in to the Universe‘s need for your presence and gives you experiences that may bring recognition or essential lessons. You need to let go of expectation and be open to all experiences offered.
Gate 46 is another of the ―love gates,‖ and its essence is all about the love of the body. So keeping trim and healthy and looking after the physical form helps foster your serendipitous nature. Keeping fit is an essential part of your life. Or maybe you have a strong inclination to keep going to the gym or spa, but a conditioning influence holds you back. Your true nature appreciates nothing more than your body being honed and
pampered, and you need to take responsibility for your body; otherwise, you will feel down and frustrated. So book that massage, take a run with the dog, schedule those manicures and pedicures, reserve that spa day, and implement a good diet. When your body is purring, you are ready for anything!
Extra Dimension
With no gates on, the Self is open as well as undefined, meaning you can be a mystery even to yourself! ―Who am I?‖ and ―What is my direction in this life?‖ may well be ongoing mantras for you, because there are no distinguishing features within your inner compass. Basically, where and who you are in life are heavily influenced and directed by the company you keep. Where you are is who you are, so choose your company according to what your authority tells you.
This affords you great freedom if you can recognize the gift and not feel unduly lost, because this is your nature. You might well feel without objective or purpose from time to time, but you can benefit enormously by embracing periods of being alone, which will release you from the influences others unknowingly assert over you.