Finding Spiritual Self-Acceptance
Question to Deepak: I just watched your video on the Wizard that we all carry within us. Throughout the film I felt very connected to what you said. I have had many coincidences happen in my life. Lately there seem to be more and more. And yet I find myself maybe at the saddest point in my life. I am more aware of life's potential, of my potential. And in so, I am much harder on myself for not being where I feel I should be, spiritually, physically and consciously. When most aware I find myself in a place between self compassion and self rejection.
My heart is full of love, and at the same time I cannot overcome my current state. As I see life unravelling itself in front of me, I am overwhelmed by it. Overwhelmed by how far I have drifted from my origin, from the state which I am searching to reach. We come from a Universal place. And yet I am devastated to see how close I am and at the same time how far I seem to be from it. I am not sure if I have found my calling, as I am a creative person, yet I feel I am a burden upon life, more than a service. I guess my question would be, where do I find the courage to transcend the stage I am in? How do we unlock the gates of our hearts?
Answer from Deepak: It’s no surprise that you become sad when you compare your current state of life to your ideal spiritual potential. That is a tried and true recipe for misery. Whenever we compare ourselves to some future possibility we are exercising the ego’s power to make us feel bad, and that detracts from your power to actually transform into your full potential. When you recognize that you are starting to feel overwhelmed by not being where you think you should be, stop and tell yourself, you are here right now, and that is precisely where you need to be. There is nothing to be gained from saying you are close or far from enlightenment.
Enlightenment is a state of consciousness with full self-awareness in the present, it is not a destination at some measurable distance in the future. To be there, you simply need to be--be fully conscious in the present moment. That includes the qualities of compassion, love and connectedness you are already experiencing. You only need to now internalize those qualities to include yourself in that love and compassion.
Love,
Deepak
Comments (6)
Spiritual Self-Acceptance . . great topic & not as easy as it seems !
so often we find ourselves dissatisfied with limitation - at least i do. the intensity of dissatifaction subsides a good deal when i simply return to practice, reminding myself that disatisfaction is actually built into the Journey as an assist . . that Realization Itself is forged on the path of progressive desire . .
I love Clear Light's comment!
If Siddhartha Gautama had been "satisfied" with his condition as Prince, he would never have become the Buddha.
However, I think Deepak's answer sounds a clear warning: Don't despair.
The answer, as always, is the Middle Way.
I remember a teaching from my old Hebrew professor.
He said that every person should have two pockets. In one should be a note that says, "I was made in the image of God." In the other, a note that says, "I was made of the dust of the earth."
So when we are feeling low and hopeless, we pull out the first note; when we are feeling cocky, we read the second.
Some of us, perhaps including the Original Questioner, need to focus on the fact that Enlightenment is already ours. But some of us need to focus on clearing away the impediments to its realization.
We all travel The One Path in our own way!
And as Clear Light points out, such questions fall away as we practice, practice, practice...
It's as if this person is myself who is wondering or suffering from the same thing. Thank you Deepak for posting it.
So it would appear total acceptance is the answer to be in the now.
However, how do we change the parts of ourselves we do NOT like. How do achieve to be better, and strive to reach our goals if we were to accept what we are or where we are. WHY as a human race would we ever strive to do anything if just sat back accepted the way the world is. Why for example would Afro Americans strive to be free of slavery if they were told to accept where they stood in life?
I do have much to be thankful for, and I am fully aware that people suffer far worse then myself. however I am NOT living up to my life's potential either, and I feel stonewalled by a universe not allowing me to just be. and I know I am NOT the only one how feels this way.
----Jet T----Thanks for posting your comment. I feel much the same way sometimes. How a spiritual path to enlightenment can be so overwhelming sometimes is hard to understand. Yet I believe it is better to be fully aware and fully present. Some forms of happiness are actually unconscious, dare I say ignorant, and naive. I struggle as you but I think I would rather struggle knowing I am awake than to live this life just going through the motions.---Jennifer
Jennifer & Jet T,
ah, yes, yes - can be Overwhelming indeed from the perspective of the grosser, everyday levels of life . . & ironically its even difficult to BE in the Now or to effect the changes we're looking for from that level.
but when, through spiritual practices ( primarily meditation ) , we regularly plunge into deeper levels of awareness Beyond Thought, changes that bring more peace, prosperity & overall harmony with the Whole begin to take place automatically as consciousness becomes less localized.
not only do those changes take place more effortlessly at that point, but also more powerfully . . together with the added benefit of our not having added strain to the equation & thereby inadvertently creating through increased effort ( however well-intentioned ) more resistance & obstacles.
the very act of regularly shifting awareness ( through meditation ) Beyond the push & pull of the opposites encountered in everyday consciousness serves to spontaneously carry that Shift more & more into life outside meditation - such that life is then lived with increasing ease & the very changes we've been seeking begin to unfold spontaneously & in perfect accord with the needs of the moment . .
a more peaceful solution . .
Tea can Help.
Feel, Sip, Breath and just wait.
How to help someone who is suffering be present with that suffering is a true service to humanity. True to Deepaks published "intent". And true to mine too. So to Deepaks answer I would like to offer this practical excercise to give courage and transcendence, so heartfelt.
Understand first that it is natural impulse to stop physical, or emotional or spiritual pain, by moving away from it: into the future ( "how far...how close") or remembering the past, or numbing with drugs or alcohol. But to be present with pain. FEEEEEL it all. It is the only answer. This is the answer: Feel your body. The emotional anguish echos in the body always. Every time without fail. The body is here to help us find our way to it. How divine!
The question being asked is not really where to find the courage to "transend this stage" but consider it is to find the courage to remain present fully with pain and suffering. Yes this does require courage doesn't it? Attention is to look, To gaze into with our "dristhi". To look generates light upon something that has been shrouded in dark. That's why it frightens us in the first place. Unknown, dark, who knows WHAT could be lurking there???? Instead of jumping away - moving into future or past--Just WAIT, feel where the body is reacting, and look right into it. The light from that attention reveals not an ugly monster, but just nothing real at all. It takes time and patience.
Tea helps enormously. Thats because the warmth from the tea, can be felt and is comforting and triggering a safety response in the body. So Do nothing. Just sit and feel the body , feel the warmth of the tea, then the tightness in places in the body, when you cannot take it anymore, go back to the tea, then on to all places that can be felt. Feel, Sip, Breath, Smile ( at your pain, at your thoughts that move away from now and into the future like a cute little monkey..) and just wait.