Embrace all

In the process of looking within and finding that part of us that society has encourged us to put in some "appropriate" place so we fit better in the world, we will find some parts that seem acceptable and some not acceptable. But both are part of the reality of who we are and embracing both doesn't mean changing ourselves. It means opening ourselves to the wonder of who we really are.

Very young children are wonderful examples of living in the moment and being who they are in every moment. They don't feel shame until shame is taught to them. They don't feel guilt over spilled milk or a broken plate until they're taught that both are an unacceptable inconvenience. Time is a gift of many moments, always available to do with as they wish until someone teaches them that work is more desireable and useful than play. As "good" children, we all learned our lessons well and dutifully practiced what we were taught until we now fit some mold or other that the great world has packaged, stamped as "not fragile" and mailed off to the reality we have so long accepted as our life lived by "our selves".

All that declared, can we, with boldness, determination and gentleness, begin the journey to the center, our very own center, and consider embracing all that has dwelt there in darkness and shame for so very long? Can we embrace both the acceptable and unacceptable parts? Can we gently embrace the pain and without judgement enfold in our awareness the judged?

This process is not about changing ourselves. As William Martin said in "A Path and a Practice", it's about opening ourselves to the real wonder of life and to the wonder we truly are. Unconsciously, we live the idea that if we accept ourselves as we really are, we will not change. The second part of that idea is that if we accept ourselves as we really are, we will act in hurtful and harmful ways. What if those assumptions aren't true? What parts of you are the most difficult to accept and why are they difficult. What if much or most of what you were taught as a child was destructive to the real you?

I have been on a path of recovery from my childhood teachings for a very long time and can say that I truly trust myself enough to listen to that wee small voice within that knocks on the door to my heart and, sometimes timidly, but more often boldly now, asks to come in, to be heard, to be loved just as I am and just as I am becoming of my own free will. It seems to me that all of life would be so much easier and more peaceful if more individuals could do the same....and more. The world, both near and far, just might be able to be friends.