26/09/2024
What is it to love yourself?
To see and accept all parts of you?
The shiny and the shadow side? Can we open our arms and embrace every cell of our being. No terms, no exceptions.
To think about it flippantly, sure why not. I can do that.
What about in the depths of your core wounds.. I am not enough, my needs don’t matter, I don’t deserve anything good.
How and where do these come from? Is it the past? Is it trauma? Is it the inner critic? Are we even really conscious of these self limiting belief systems and how they hold us back?
This human experience. We get to feel all things. How we perceive and react, it’s a choice. Only a few have the courage to turn their gaze inwards.
Courage and bravery doesn’t mean put together. It’s in the cracks, the breaks that healing can begin. Space, time, patience and love.
The ego (ahamkara) will lead you down a path of will and drive but it does so by judging and comparing and can be a lonely journey, as the ego separates itself to feel special.
The conscience (buddhi) see’s all sides, it’s our ‘inner knowing’, a heart centred perspective. It is the collective, connected, oneness.
What I know is first you need to be aware that these shadows exist. To see them eyes open and to accept that they were built to protect you. The process now is establishing that you no longer need them.
Next time you get triggered can you take a pause, a breath and check in. Can you meet yourself with love and compassion.. as you start to unveil the distortions (vrtti) of your reality, to reveal the deepest love that is you.
The Buddha said ‘our greatest foe lives within us’ but if this is true so can it be said that our greatest friend does too.
To peel back the layers and really see, love and hold space for all parts of you- what an honour, what beauty, what compassion, what a life..
If you are struggling in anyway, seek advice, talk to a professional, or a friend. Know you are not alone and you are loved. 🥰