There is a beautiful paradox to being human. We are a glorious tapestry woven with vibrant threads of strength, resilience, and love, and also… among these vibrant threads there are undeniably threads of imperfection, insecurities, and occasional stumbles, inseparable from the woven whole.
The question is whether the value of the tapestry is increased or decreased by these so-called flaws? And that is a question that only you can answer for yourself.
“You are flawed, you are stuck in old patterns, you become carried away with yourself. Indeed you are quite impossible in many ways. And still, you are beautiful beyond measure. For the core of what you are is fashioned out of love, that potent blend of openness, warmth, and clear, transparent presence.” – John Welwood
There is a messiness to being human, and most of us were taught that being less than perfect makes us unacceptable. The truth is that being a human animal means that we are both – messy and also beautiful.
“Spiritual bypassing is a term I coined to describe a process I saw happening in the Buddhist community I was in, and also in myself. Although most of us were sincerely trying to work on ourselves, I noticed a widespread tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks.
When we are spiritually bypassing, we often use the goal of awakening or liberation to rationalize what I call premature transcendence: trying to rise above the raw and messy side of our humanness before we have fully faced and made peace with it.” – John Welwood
We don’t step into the power of our light, by pretending we don’t have shadow. Don’t run from any of this. Stay. Sit. Be with it.
Growth doesn’t spring from a place of self punishment or striving for flawlessness. It blossoms from a place of self-acceptance and gentle forgiveness. So, the next time you stumble, the next time your ego takes the wheel, don’t run. Sit with it. Feel the discomfort, the shame, the anger. Hold those scared parts within you until they feel a little lighter. Then, ask yourself, “Who am I being while I hold these scared parts?” This simple question can be a powerful catalyst for self-discovery and acceptance.
We don’t do better because we stop making mistakes. We do better because we become a bit softer and gentler and forgive a bit easier… ourselves and others.
So how do we embrace this messy magnificence? Here are a few guiding mantras:
- Be Present: Don’t run from your emotions, good or bad. Sit with them, acknowledge them, and allow them to flow through you.
- Embrace the Imperfect: You are a work in progress, and that’s okay. Celebrate your strengths while acknowledging your flaws.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Forgive yourself for mistakes. Be kind to yourself as you would be to a dear friend.
- Find the Beauty in the Mess: There’s an undeniable beauty in our imperfections. It’s in our vulnerability, our resilience, and our capacity for growth.
The most beautiful souls are often the ones who have known struggle, embraced their flaws, and chosen kindness in the face of imperfection. You are beautifully messy, and that’s exactly what makes you extraordinary.
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: A sense of self.
(image credit: Doaa Aladdin https://www.doaa-aladdin.com/ )