Complete Self Acceptance

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.

Latest News

USA Today

Preview audiences praise Disney World's new American Idol attraction Jim Hill Media.com, NH - 20 hours ago Jim Hill shares what he's heard from WDW Cast Members who attended tech rehearsals for this new DHS attraction. Who say that -- despite some obvious flaws ... American Idol Is "Going To Disney World" WFtv.com Disney opening American Idol Experience Feb. 14 The Canadian Press Are You The Next Disney American Idol? Magical Mountain Los Angeles Times Blogs - Norwich Bulletin all 28 news articles

Coins from Shivaji era main attraction at rare items expo Times of India, India - 2 hours ago PUNE: Two gold coins from the Shivaji era will be the main attraction at the exhibition-cum-auction organised by the International Collector's Society of ...

Landmark national study reveals significance of green practices in ... EurekAlert (press release), DC - 7 hours ago Nearly 75% of 18-34 year olds say they are more likely to visit an attraction that is pursuing environmentally friendly practices. ...

County's attractions, festivals draw tourists Monroenews.com, MI - 8 hours ago Silver Bells, a Christmas-themed shop in Dundee, is a growing attraction, and venues such as the River Raisin Jazz Series, River Raisin Jazz Festival and ...

New attraction flutters into view The News-Press, FL - 19 hours ago The attraction/restaurant/gift shop on Fowler Street - four years in the making - starts operation Saturday, but had its grand opening on Wednesday. ...

Law of Attraction - Anger - Introspection and Knowing Yourself Meadow Free Press, ID - 17 hours ago Try living your life based write a press release Law of Attraction: our natural state is pure joy. It's when we're truly happy that we're in touch with our ...

COLUMN: Will Tassel twirling be Destin’s newest attraction? Destin Log, FL - 12 hours ago Stephenson says a nude-dancing club would add “an extra dimension of attraction. “You have golfers, you have fishermen. This is another reason to come to ...

An explosive mixture: Does attraction come down to science? The Silhouette, Canada - 5 hours ago One of the most fascinating aspects of human behavior is that of the attraction between two people. Throughout history many people have attempted to explain ...

Thornton-in-Craven farm attraction wins go-ahead for visitor centre Craven Herald, UK - 8 hours ago It had recently received the Farm Attraction of the Year award for farm parks with fewer than 20000 visitors a year. However, an objector speaking on behalf ...

€3.8 million announced for south-east visitor attractions Kilkenny Advertiser, Ireland - 1 hour ago A historical building in Kilkenny has been lucky to receive a windfall in funding from Fáilte Ireland this week in order to develop the attraction. ...