The Unbearable Lightness of Liminality

The phrase “the Unbearable Lightness of Being” was introduced as the title of a 1984 novel by Milan Kundera. (It also became a movie). It uses Friedrich Nietzsche’s doctrine of the Eternal Return to illustrate Lightness.

The idea of “eternal return,” explains that our universe and our existence, has occurred an infinite number of times in the past, and is cyclical and will continue to occur forever.

This is a heady, intellectual concept, but I’ve been thinking about it lately in terms of how to make sense of the earth (and soul) shattering times we are currently in.

Last year I discovered a new word, liminal, which is also appropriate for these times.

With its origin in Latin, it literally means “on the threshold.”

Certainly, we are all on the threshold of a new life.

Liminal spaces are described as transformative and/or transitional.

Spaces where we feel we are on the “verge of something.”

And, being in liminal space is often unsettling, uncomfortable, and disorienting.

I made up the phrase, “the unbearable lightness of liminality,” as a way for me to try and define my current state of being.

I find it has a mystical frequency and creates a permeable container for where I am right now.

I also find it strangely comforting.

What brings you comfort these days?

Wishing you love, laughter and magical kisses,

Arielle