“Entangled in the trance of unworthiness” we accept that anxiety and self-doubt are part of our daily experience.* Life can be beautiful, but the voice in our heads tells us that we can’t be too happy. If so, things might go badly. There is a struggle with feeling guilty and unworthy of such luck. And by giving into such thoughts we stopped experiencing the here and now.
But… What comes after we have recockgnized such a tendency in ourselves?
Compassion
Practice compassion, for yourself and others. With compassion, we honour the present moment. (Who are we to judge good and bad anyway?)
With compassion in our hearts we can see the depth and beauty of each moment.
Pain
During the act of reflection or meditation, we might encounter painful thoughts, feelings or memories. And even if we don’t understand that pain on a mental level, what we can do is sit with it. Working through our pain might begin with accepting it – looking deep and breathing calmly. Pain can also be a teacher, showing us our wounds and pointing out where we need to start working for spiritual growth. Going through the pain can be a cleansing and balancing experience.
Now, you might wonder how awareness, compassion and pain relate to a happy life. I believe that through spiritual work we free ourselves from self-made boundaries. Boundaries that tell us “we should be this or that”. It is okay to be all shades of yourself and enjoy yourself and life fully.
Conclusion
In conclusion, with the tendency of not feeling good enough:
1. Awareness & compassion can gently guide us towards understanding.
2. Painful experiences are part of the way and by breathing and giving them space, they become less painful.
3. Your spiritual growth can also guide you towards enjoying life more: And by bringing that sparkle and light into your life, you cannot only be there for yourself but also for others.
That’s it for today. What are your thoughts on this topic? I am always grateful for honest feedback. xx Marie
*Inspiration for this article comes from the book “Radical acceptance” by Tara Brach.
