Another thing about self-discovery

Another thing about self-discovery is you discover your "dark side". Well I don't really like that term, but I don't know what else to call it. And in a way it's an ok expression because it kind of denotes everything we're trying to keep in the dark about ourselves because we don't want to admit it.

But we can't go on keeping stuff we don't want to look at in the dark forever. Especially when we start doing inner work... then what happens is sooner or later we have to admit there's stuff about ourselves that we are denying. Stuff we don't want to look at. Stuff that we'd much rather forget forever... Yes it really is a drag to admit to ourselves that we're not perfect.

But that's the thing about self-discovery. It really is the perfect set-up because sooner or later you have to look at everything - at all of you - and at all of life. Because you discover that you can't make what you don't want to look at go away. It just won't and then one day you see that it's all really a part of the process. And you realize that you can't move up higher and take all your old shit with you. You see that you really do have to look at it, own it, accept it, understand it and then and only then can you let it go... You see that that's the only way you can really deal with it. And you might scream and kick like hell... especially if you don't have the tools or are afraid of what is coming up... but that's the way it is.

And the truth is - resistance and denial only make things worse. They really do. What works the best in my experience is just allowing things to be as they are and then being the detached witness of what's coming up inside you. And of course this is where meditation comes into the picture. If you are practicing meditation, you have the very best  tool to be able to sit with yourself and just witness (observe) whatever is coming up, whatever thoughts are arising, without being totally freaked out and identified with them. And this is such a blessing and a relief, when you can just watch the feelings and allow them to come...  Just sit and breathe and watch - just sit and breathe and watch - just sit and breathe and watch...

Comments

[Pernille Thorup Andersen]

That is the way to do it:)...reality and peace.. Love Pernille