One of the most important parts of Personal Mastery is 'Self Acceptance'. This is much more than the usual 'self esteem' issues that we hear about, although that's a part of it.
Self Acceptance is about accepting yourself completely, exactly as you are RIGHT NOW. For most of us this isn't as easy as it should be. We've been taught that we have to achieve certain things or be certain things, and that we shouldn't feel satisfied with who we are until we've done so. In reality we're NEVER finished as there will hopefully always be more to learn and new ways to grow. So when, exactly, are we supposed to feel good about ourselves?
Popular culture would have you believe that all you need to feel good about yourself is the right car, or the right clothes, or the right beer. In fact many of our culture's self-esteem problems are intentionally created by the media and the businesses that advertise there. How often have you seen an ad and thought "I really need to update my style", or "I really need a new car"? Do you really? Hey, maybe sometimes we do. I have to admit that my habit of wearing sweatpants, t-shirts and sandals wouldn't go over well when making advertising sales calls for the videos or magazine, and I do in fact, really need a good car.
As usual the question in our society is 'how much do we really need'? For instance, I don't need Armani suits to sell advertising for a holistic magazine, and I can get by very well with a reliable older car. The difference here is the word 'need' versus the word 'want'. We're taught that we 'need' certain things to feel good about ourselves, and that's the key issue. I don't care if you buy a new Mercedes 3 times a week if that's what you want to do and you can afford it. However, if you feel like you 'need' to buy or do anything in order to feel good about yourself then that's an issue that needs to be addressed.
Self Acceptance is about FREEDOM. It's the freedom to be happy with who you are and not be a slave to the 'needs' that we're taught to believe in. It's the freedom to look at yourself in the mirror and love and accept the person you see looking back and the freedom to be happy to be in your own skin.
True self acceptance is one of the transformational moments in our lives. It doesn't mean that there aren't things you'd like to change, or have new directions you'd like to grow. It simply means that you've accepted yourself, with all your warts and ugly spots, and now you can start moving in the positive directions needed for your life.
It's also the key to having the freedom to accept others exactly as they are. The most important person that you can love is yourself. Have you ever seen someone who gives up their entire lives to help others, yet destroy their own health and welfare in the process? Everything is connected and One, which means that anything that you can see, feel or imagine is a part of you also, with all the balances apply.
For instance, a person who only takes care of himself, with no regard for others, is no less imbalanced than someone who devotes his entire life to care for others at the expense of himself. The key here, once again, is the word NEED. It's all about the motivation that drives them. Some of those so intent on 'self-sacrifice' are driven by 'need'. They need to help others to make up for their own inadequacies, or to make up for the bad things they feel that they've done, or whatever other reasons drive them. Yet if they truly accepted themselves then would they feel the need to 'sacrifice' themselves in order to help others? Wouldn't they see helping others as an extension of helping themselves, rather than as a way to make themselves feel better about who they are?
A balanced person sees helping others as a normal, compassionate thing to do, rather than as something to do to make up for their own lack in some area. It's the Law of Reciprocity again, by helping others we help ourselves, by encouraging others to grow we also grow in the process. By accepting ourselves exactly as we are, we can also accept others exactly as they are, and that's the beginning of unity.
---
Robert Morgen is a Reiki Master who currently holds a Black Belt in Hoshin Roshi Ryu. He's the founder of the Kundalini Awakening Discussion Group, the Druids Circle Discussion Group and the (offline) Druids Circle in Lakewood, CO. You can find more info on all these at; www.druidscircle.info
He's also the founder and Executive Director of the Windhaven Foundation for Sustainable Living.
He writes a regular column on subtle energy for Fight Times Magazine and a twice monthly column on Kundalini Awakening at Alumbo.com.
In addition to teaching about energy work and Kundalini Awakening he donates time to teach about Renewable Energy, Alternative Building and Creating Sustainable Lifestyles in various Public Schools.
He travels and teaches as much as possible and you can find out how to attend one of his Kundalini Awakening seminars at his website at; www.windhavenco.org
His new book "Personal Mastery: Develop Your True Inner Power By Awakening Your Kundalini" is now available at http://www.lulu.com/RobertMorgen.
Do you express your gratitude enough? I know I don't.... Read More
'Have I stopped dreaming?' 'Why am I not as stressed?'... Read More
Have you ever noticed that there is no shortage of... Read More
"You cannot step into the same river twice"Hericlitus spoke those... Read More
I've written this article specifically for individuals contemplating change with... Read More
What was your energy level like today? Did you wake... Read More
Here is an exercise for you that will develop what... Read More
What is Desire? Let us see! Webster tells us that... Read More
Our feelings are perceived by means of our sensors, our... Read More
When others are angry with you, loving to you, critical... Read More
If it were easy, everyone would do IT; everyone would... Read More
Gnothi seauton,, said Socrates. "Know thyself."These words remain as true... Read More
Are you ready to birth a dream and not sure... Read More
Have you ever felt 'stuck' in life? I mean totally... Read More
We see it and do it enough times to know... Read More
"Hoy-day! What a sweep of vanity comes this way!" --William... Read More
Think for a moment about all the people you know... Read More
I wish you never have to go through that kind... Read More
Confidence without competence is a dangerous combination. Make it easy... Read More
"Within you is the power to change your life"Lately I've... Read More
How can we have more abundance in our lives? It... Read More
"We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience... Read More
Good Morning! It's the Island outlaw here again. You know... Read More
For many years I had a good life. My illness... Read More
We live in a very busy age with many pressures... Read More
Intuition is an incredible resource and gift that we have... Read More
Did you ever wonder why it sometimes seems that communications... Read More
Watch your thoughts; they become words.Watch your words; they become... Read More
If you seem to spend much of your life doing... Read More
Are you totally in love with your life?Whatever your current... Read More
"We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience... Read More
It was a long walk but someone had to do... Read More
Our journey through life can lead us to surprising and... Read More
In your journey through life are you the "driver" or... Read More
What I am about to tell you will take a... Read More
Let's continue where we left off in Part 1...We have... Read More
Who's World Is It?Who's world really is it? Is it... Read More
Remember back in school days when you needed a permission... Read More
In the latter half of the 1800s, when the telegraph... Read More
Not having much luck in love lately? Relationship falling apart?... Read More
The Law of Attraction responds to whatever vibration you are... Read More
Here is an exercise for you that will develop what... Read More
Before you left school, did any of your teachers sit... Read More
You only have to look around you at your friends,... Read More
After years of terrorizing the countryside, hunting deer, poaching livestock,... Read More
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More
Are you living your life, the way you want to... Read More
Many people forget business is a way of service. When... Read More
You are a money magnet. Money is flowing to you... Read More
I'm sure most of you have heard of, and perhaps... Read More
Attraction Attraction |