Complete Self Acceptance

One of the most important parts of Personal Mastery is 'Self Acceptance'. This is much more than the usual 'self esteem' issues that we hear about, although that's a part of it.

Self Acceptance is about accepting yourself completely, exactly as you are RIGHT NOW. For most of us this isn't as easy as it should be. We've been taught that we have to achieve certain things or be certain things, and that we shouldn't feel satisfied with who we are until we've done so.In reality we're NEVER finished as there will hopefully always be more to learn and new ways to grow. So when, exactly, are we supposed to feel good about ourselves?

Popular culture would have you believe that all you need to feel good about yourself is the right car, or the right clothes, or the right beer. In fact many of our culture's self-esteem problems are intentionally created by the media and the businesses that advertise there. How often have you seen an ad and thought "I really need to update my style", or "I really need a new car"? Do you really? Hey, maybe sometimes we do. I have to admit that my habit of wearing sweatpants, t-shirts and sandals wouldn't go over well when making advertising sales calls for the videos or magazine, and I do in fact, really need a good car.

As usual the question in our society is 'how much do we really need'? For instance, I don't need Armani suits to sell advertising for a holistic magazine, and I can get by very well with a reliable older car. The difference here is the word 'need' versus the word 'want'. We're taught that we 'need' certain things to feel good about ourselves, and that's the key issue. I don't care if you buy a new Mercedes 3 times a week if that's what you want to do and you can afford it.However, if you feel like you 'need' to buy or do anything in order to feel good about yourself then that's an issue that needs to be addressed.

Self Acceptance is about FREEDOM. It's the freedom to be happy with who you are and not be a slave to the 'needs' that we're taught to believe in. It's the freedom to look at yourself in the mirror and love and accept the person you see looking back and the freedom to be happy to be in your own skin.

True self acceptance is one of the transformational moments in our lives. It doesn't mean that there aren't things you'd like to change, or have new directions you'd like to grow. It simply means that you've accepted yourself, with all your warts and ugly spots, and now you can start moving in the positive directions needed for your life.

It's also the key to having the freedom to accept others exactly as they are. The most important person that you can love is yourself. Have you ever seen someone who gives up their entire lives to help others, yet destroy their own health and welfare in the process? Everything is connected and One, which means that anything that you can see, feel or imagine is a part of you also, with all the balances apply.

For instance, a person who only takes care of himself, with no regard for others, is no less imbalanced than someone who devotes his entire life to care for others at the expense of himself. The key here, once again, is the word NEED. It's all about the motivation that drives them.Some of those so intent on 'self-sacrifice' are driven by 'need'. They need to help others to make up for their own inadequacies, or to make up for the bad things they feel that they've done, or whatever other reasons drive them. Yet if they truly accepted themselves then would they feel the need to 'sacrifice' themselves in order to help others? Wouldn't they see helping others as an extension of helping themselves, rather than as a way to make themselves feel better about who they are?

A balanced person sees helping others as a normal, compassionate thing to do, rather than as something to do to make up for their own lack in some area. It's the Law of Reciprocity again, by helping others we help ourselves, by encouraging others to grow we also grow in the process. By accepting ourselves exactly as we are, we can also accept others exactly as they are, and that's the beginning of unity.

---

Robert Morgen is a Reiki Master who currently holds aBlack Belt in Hoshin Roshi Ryu. He's the founder ofthe Kundalini Awakening Discussion Group, the DruidsCircle Discussion Group and the (offline) DruidsCircle in Lakewood, CO. You can find more info on allthese at; www.druidscircle.info

He's also the founder and Executive Director of the Windhaven Foundation for Sustainable Living.

He writes a regular column on subtle energy for Fight Times Magazine and a twice monthly column on Kundalini Awakening at Alumbo.com.

In addition to teaching about energy work and Kundalini Awakening he donates time to teach about Renewable Energy, Alternative Building and Creating Sustainable Lifestyles in various Public Schools.

He travels and teaches as much as possible and you can find out how to attend one of his Kundalini Awakening seminars at his website at; www.windhavenco.org

His new book "Personal Mastery: Develop Your True Inner Power By Awakening Your Kundalini" is now available at http://www.lulu.com/RobertMorgen.

More Resources

You Too Can Have Charisma
Do you know anyone that everyone seems to be drawn to? You continue to watch as this person moves around the room attracting and chatting with and making friends with manypeople.What do they have that you don't think you have? Charisma.
Would You Rather Be Wealthy?
Would you rather be wealthy or poverty-stricken? Not a difficult question to answer, is it? How do you think your thoughts impact on your financial state?Just as the earth contains in its depths great riches--oil, diamonds, gold, uranium, silver, gas and countless other things--you also have the real riches of life deep within you. Your innate intelligence and your willingness to use your mind are precious.
Social Skills Training Can Positively Impact Your Life
Millions of people become anxious and insecure when speaking in public, starting a conversation, or mingling with others in a social setting.There are a large number of individuals who are extremely successful in their professional lives, but tend to shy away from meeting new people, attending social functions, and interpersonal communication.
What Do You Want Out of Life?
What are you willing to give up in order to achieve that?We have all heard the old saying that there are no free lunches, right? Well, that is so true that it could have been one of the Ten Commandments. In order to receive anything we must be willing to give something and the amount that we receive is directly proportionate to that which we are willing to give - be it material things or time.
Paradigm Shift
Good Morning! It's the Island outlaw here again. You know after my little tirade yesterday about Integrity and ethical behavior I felt compelled to speak on the subject of the paradigm shift in wealth consiousness.
Respect Is A Four-Letter Word
One of the most important needs for every human being is the need to be respected. It doesn't matter if you or anyone else is a corporate executive, host of your own television show, short-order cook, Wal-Mart greeter or stay-at-home parent.
Success Is In Your Hands - For Things To Change, I Must Change First!
Do you know that many people feel they cannot achieve what they want in life because they are not in control of their circumstances? Is it really so?How many times have you heard this: "If only I had creativity like him, I would be able to develop innovative Internet Marketing products," or "if only I had the money to start the e-commerce business, then I would be able to set up a business"? Do you know that all these things are within our control the moment we change ourselves?It sounds unbelievable but it's true! This requires a shift in your paradigm of thinking and it moves you from a powerless state to a state where you can actually take control. We will now take a look at 3 ordinary people like you and me who are able to achieve what they want in life through this simple principle.
Lottery Winners Lose It All
You have heard it time and again. Lottery Winners lose it all and trust fund babies waste their parent's hard earned cash.
Maximizing Your Potential - How To Optimize Your Off-Peak Performance?
We human beings naturally have two kinds of state that exist in us at any given time: peak state and off-peak state. Peak performance can be defined as "performing at your most optimal best at this time".
Reminiscing About Your Past Can Stimulate Your Future
Have you ever thought much about how some of your past experiences and talents influenced how your life turned out? I sure have and I've found it not only interesting but valuable, too. Whatever the case, I believe we can all find value in reminiscing about our past.
Perception Is Reality
"We think, therefore we are."God always gives us what we expect.
How to be Successful in Life or Small Business!
Not everyone is programmed to be a successful businessperson, many people make it but many more fail along the way.A large part of your future success will depend on your P.
Four Proven Techniques On How To Capture Positive Habits
Bad habits, we all have them. They keep us from accomplishing our dreams, make us say and do things that really aren't in our integrity.
How to Make Self-Improvement Work Every Time!
There is an inherent problem with the approach most people take to self-improvement of any kind. There is a presupposition that there is something wrong that needs fixing.
A New Beginning With The People At Work
There's a big opportunity here! The holidays bring a change in spirit in most folks. Even though they may be more tired than usual from all the demands of the season, they are filled with holiday cheer.
How To Make A Strong First Impression: Seven Tips That Really Work
We have all heard this warning: You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Also, human behavior specialists caution that we only have from seven to seventeen seconds of interacting with strangers before they form an opinion of us.
Complete Self Acceptance
One of the most important parts of Personal Mastery is 'Self Acceptance'. This is much more than the usual 'self esteem' issues that we hear about, although that's a part of it.
Principles for Total Prosperity In Business And Beyond
Are you looking for that "something" to give you the winning edge in your business? Is success still elusive even after burning both ends of the candle? Well, you may be looking for success in al the wrong places or you may not have an accurate picture of what true success is.In a fast-paced society that's driven by a mentality of "more is better," extreme stress and lack of fulfillment are inevitable in every facet of our lives, including work.
Make the Eat and Earn Connection
If you've ever thought about wanting to increase your physical energy and wouldn't mind increasing your financial as well, you have to read this right now!Focus #1 - Name Your Hunger/Want/Desire/Achievement? You know what you want to change better than anyone else. It is that nagging voice in the back of your head that speaks to you every time you go against it (i.
What Characters Teach Us about Character
Character is that which defines us; it's what people will remember about us long after we're gone. The TV News, Radio Talk Shows, News-Magazines and the daily Paper are replete with stories about characters.

More Attraction Information:

Related Articles

Finders Keepers
Do you remember your younger years when you and your friends played all sorts of fun games all day long? I'm sure you do. If there is one thing children know how to do, they know how to have fun.
Making New Friends
How do we make friends? More importantly if dropped into a new city or a new job or a new school, how do we go about making a new friends? Most of us don't really think about it, but just sort of allow people to float in and out of our lives without really paying any attention to how we pull new people into our lives.Years ago, my son was four years old and starting preschool.
Appreciating and Communicating Your Value
It's a common scenario. Although the specific circumstances may differ, the challenge often remains the same: we professional women seldom understand our true value.
The Manifestations Of Self
A man is captive within himself. He dwells in a freedom which is confirmed to bounds, he breathes in an ambience ensnared to limits, he nurtures a shriveled valiance with the quaint promises of trepidation, he is infinite to his content and eternal only to his perception.
Your Authentic Self
Our journey through life can lead us to surprising and unexpected destinations. Life as in nature has no straight lines.
7 Simple Tips For Cultivating Tons Of Confidence
Confidence without competence is a dangerous combination. Make it easy for yourself and only engage in Self comparison when you are assessing your progress.
A Look In The Mirror
That's all it takes to change the world. Take a long hard look in the mirror and really notice who you are.
5 Practical Shyness Tips That Work Everytime
We all experience a little shyness at times with people who we find intimidating.Here are some useful suggestions and ideas that can help you overcome shyness and speak up when you need to in order to achieve your goals.
Digging To The Root Of Your Problem
Most people have some aspects of themselves that they would like to change. But how often do you dig deeply to find the root of the problem?You have to address the issues that need to be changed.
Your Gut Instincts & Ability to Get Along Quiz
How well do you understand how gut instincts - yours and others - influence likeability, decision making and even attention span? Want to find out? Here are nine questions. Some answers may surprise you.
Whos World Is It? The World Is Yours - Invite Success
Who's World Is It?Who's world really is it? Is it a man's world? There is a song by James Brown. "This is a mans world" is the chorus.
Abundance Of Money - Abundance Of Love
How much happiness is there in a piece of paper with the word "happiness" printed upon it? It depends on the person who holds that piece of paper..
Harvest Moon Lessons
The full moon in September is often bigger and brighter than full moons in other months. It is usually referred to as the Harvest Moon.
How to Get Rich
Got your attention, didn't I? I figured that title would get you to sit up in your chair and take notice. How to get rich? Hmmmm, let's take a second and think about how nice and wonderful it would feel to "be rich.
Attract Your Ideal Relationship Using the Law of Attraction
First, I'll need to explain what Law of Attraction is and how it works. You see, the Law of Attraction states that you'll attract to your life whatever you give your attention, energy and focus to, whether wanted or unwanted--emphasis on the unwanted.
A Sweep of Vanity: How To Burst Your Own Bubble
"Hoy-day! What a sweep of vanity comes this way!" --William Shakespeare, "The Life of Timon of Athens"If there's one characteristic we hope we don't have, it's vanity. We'd rather be considered aggressive, driven, petty, even mean than have others feel that we think too much of ourselves.
Our Fascination with Pop Culture and What It Says About Us
I took a look at the top 500 hits on the Internet and found that at least 90% of them are related to pop culture. Who is dating who, singers, actors, gossip, etc.
What Next?
When we are faced with making a change we often feel like we don't know what to do. The kicker is that USUALLY we do know what to do - it just happens to scare us a little bit.
Manifest Your Desires Using Natural Hypnosis
Seth, the very high level, spiritual teacher and guide channeled many years ago by Jane Roberts, impressed me with his great wisdom and I started applying his exercises and concepts as soon as I discovered his books. One of the exercises I practiced and loved was his natural hypnosis exercise.
My Assignment ... If You Didnt Create It, Then Its Not Yours!
Life consists of lessons. Living is continual learning.