The Lesson:
We are perfect in our imperfection. We are designed to grow and we GET TO do just that. When we do the work of deep personal growth, we are shining the light of consciousness upon that equally beautiful part of our personality, the “dark side” and transforming it. This is the ultimate game.
The Practice:
1. Radical Acceptance (of yourself).
I learned this from a brilliant healer with whom I worked several years ago.
Note the title of the practice. RADICAL Acceptance. It is a very simple and very profound (my favorite combination) exercise. It is a practice of bringing the darkness into the light.
Activate some dark state by thinking about something from your past that you feel horrible about. Perhaps some memory that evokes shame. Think of something that you feel ashamed of. And do it fully. Really activate the state of shame. Feel it completely.
Once you have activated the dark state of shame, say to yourself, “I RADICALLY ACCEPT MYSELF FOR THIS. IN FACT, I LOVE THE ME THAT BEHAVED THIS WAY.” (You’re forgiving YOU. You aren’t condoning any behaviors that you don’t want to repeat, but you are completely forgiving the you that behaved that way.) And repeat it several times.
“I RADICALLY ACCEPT MYSELF COMPLETELY FOR EVERYTHING!” Repeat that. Do it often. Do it daily. And notice that when you do this exercise how much LIGHTer you feel.
2. “Presidential Pardons”
I learned this from another brilliant healer I worked with several years ago. It is even simpler than Radical Acceptance, and quite similar in nature.
In the United States of America, the President has the power to pardon anyone convicted of a federal crime – without the requirement of any justification whatsoever. No explanation is needed. Now, regardless of whether you think that is prudent or not, if we apply this privilege to ourselves, we might find it quite handy, and healing.
Make a list of the things you criticize yourself for the most. It’s the Dark List. Make it as long as you need to. When you’re done, issue pardons to yourself for each of those items. Full pardons. No justifications. Full reprieve. Actually go to the effort of telling yourself that you are completely pardoned for them all.
This is not an exercise is shirking responsibility. In fact, it is quite the opposite. By removing the darkness of shame, you are now far more empowered to take masterful action to grow and to take any action that you may not have taken before to correct things.
Mantras: (as is the case with all the suggested mantras, modify them to reflect your world view and your language)
I am an expression of Divine Grace in human form.
What could EVER be wrong with my truth?!
Many years ago I took a trip to Cabo that turned into an unexpected journey of rapid, deep personal transformation.
This post is one of sixteen excerpts of a piece of writing that I did, that was inspired by this magical experience.
Each “chapter” contains a lesson that can be categorized as a lesson in Mental Toughness, personal development, or spiritual growth.
These chapters have been organized into three segments: the Lesson theory, a Practice, and relevant Mantras to help you in your own journey.
