The Cocoon

An article by Michael Flinner

Sometime ago, I read of a college student who was studying to become a scientist through entomology (the study of insects). He was excited about experimenting with all aspects of life; and on this particular occasion, he found himself watching a butterfly struggling to free itself of its cocoon.

He thought, "Here is where I can step in and help." He took a very sharp instrument and slit the sides of the cocoon so it would open more quickly and the butterfly could emerge. The butterfly did emerge. It flew out of the cocoon - and fell straight to the ground. It started to fly again, and once more, fell to the ground.

The student discovered that his plan to help the buttefly was actually a liability. During its struggle to free itself of the cocoon, the butterfly develops its wings. It gains strength in its struggles. It develops all it needs so when it does leave the cocoon, it is strong and complete and is able to operate on its own.

Many of us find ourselves as butterflies in a cocoon. It might be a cocoon of low self-esteem. It might be a cocoon of emotional distress. The cocoon is whatever seems to be imprisoning us, what seems confining and restrictive.

Life calls for strength. We need insight. We need courage. We need greater awareness, and often, we want to attain those in an easy way. We do not want to struggle. We do not want to put forth any effort.

I don't believe life should be a fight and a struggle but I do believe that when there are difficulties in our lives which have to be faced, we cannot always avoid them. We gain strength by facing up to what must be confronted. We grow through experiencing and overcoming.

In the case of the butterfly, someone intervened, someone was trying to help but in his attempt, he prevented the butterfly from gaining the strength it needed. We do the same thing to our families and children when we overprotect them, when we do not let them bear their own responsibilities or try their wings on their own.

I am not implying that we must fail to provide every attention and care that they need, but doctors have learned that individuals regain health and strength quicker if they are expected to do for themselves what they can do.

Husbands and wives sometimes make their spouse dependent on them in areas where they should depend on themselves.

So we ask a few questions. How do we develop our own confidence? Who teaches us discipline? When do we develop character? Certainly not by standing on the sidelines and letting someone else take over for us. The only way we can unfold and expand is through developing our mental, physical, and emotional strengths.

We let appearances throw us. The student looked at the struggling butterfly and in sympathy, reached out to help. We look at someone involved in extricating himself or herself from a cocoon of some kind, and we want to reach out and help. But sometimes in doing so, we should look beyond the appearance. We should determine how much help we can give that is not a hindrance.

Suppose you are struggling to extricate yourself from a cocoon of some sort today. You do not like the feeling of struggle. If I waved a magic wand and made everything alright, would you really be any better off? You would have gained nothing from your experience.

If we are in a cocoon, we are likely to say, "I am struggling with my health. I am struggling in my business. I am struggling in my marriage. I am struggling with depression and loneliness." Here the focus is only on the struggle. However, the consciousness of the butterfly in the cocoon is not struggling. It is only aware of its desire to fly, and it is taking the necessary steps to gain sufficient strength to do just that - fly.

The butterfly, when it gains strength to fly, is not going to squeeze itself back into that cocoon again. You say, "Of course not." But how often do we still think about it and talk about it? We live with it. We just won't let it go. It is part of who we are. Or is it?

As soon as we awake in the morning, we stir up the problem and start thinking about it all over again. Remember, the butterfly does not have this consciousness. As soon as it leaves the cocoon, it leaves the consciousness behind. It thinks only of flying, of what is ahead. It does not look back or try to drag the cocoon around with it.

Today, know that you can only have freedom from a cocoon if you leave the cocoon and don't turn back once you are free of it. You can only expand by leaving the lesser for the greater. You cannot expand by holding on to yesterday.

Once you commit yourself to a larger life, move into it. Really let go of the consciousness that is finished. Remember that Heaven means expansion. Move then, into the Kingdom of Heaven and let the undefeatable spirit within you take dominion over your life. Keep your vision high. It's only by losing your vision that you depart from who you really are.

Unless you have other plans, live for today, plan for tomorrow, and always remember yesterday.

Michael Flinner
CDC V-30064
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin, CA 94974
USA

© by Michael Flinner