Tag: uncondtional acceptance

This Love Within.

Someone once shared to me that we can only truly live within our deepest heart; that space where our fear and suffering reside unmasked.

“Here is where the real work begins,” he said.

Each of us carries the burden of our tears, though through the years we learn to deny. Still, like an infant child crying for its mother – they wait for the warmth of our loving arms, and the reassurance to guide them through.

It is only when we are able to see through the lens of unconditional love, that our healing may ultimately begin.

Were it not for these moments of opening – the joy in a child’s achievements, the mystery of newfound love – how might we ever go on?

People often tell me that it’s far too difficult to let go of their pain. Though, as Carl Jung once wrote it’s far more terrifying to accept oneself completely. And this pain is simply a warning sign, that we are not living our life completely.

We have the ability to love, certainly. Then why can’t we offer the same love to self?

After all, the greatest of love begins within.

In peace, my sweet friends…

Namaste ❤️

On Learning to Welcome It All.

Frank Ostaseski, founder of the Metta Institute for end-of-life care, once offered that one of our most fundamental practices is learning to push nothing away.

“It’s a willingness to be here,” he says. “Not to turn away from the mysterious and the unanswerable.”

And though, it may seem a rather simple task – trust, it is one of our most difficult yet.

Sure, it’s easy to welcome the joy of a bright, sunny day – the crisp morning breeze, children playing, and leaves rustling their whispers into the wind.

But, what happens when life takes and unexpected twist? When the traffic is snarled, and we’re late to a meeting – and, we’ve just spilled coffee on our brand new dress?

“Push nothing away” implies a fearless receptivity. A willingness to embrace all which is offered – unconditionally, and without regret.

In doing so, we can finally begin to live – without those subtle distortions of reality, and engaging the better part of our being.

And yet, the tendency to run away is within all of us – an inherent fear caused by our unwillingness to face the seeds of our own suffering. We’re afraid to see what might truly be there – overwhelmed by this aspect of not knowing.

But, what we often fail to realize is that – getting in touch with our suffering helps our compassion to grow.

And, doesn’t that make it all worthwhile?

“This being human is a guest house,
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.” – Rumi

Indeed, that we might learn to ‘welcome them all’ – and, in time, realize the beauty of that glorious ‘gift within.’