Robert Strock continues a discussion of the third level of awareness, exploring deeper levels of moving toward self-compassion. The process of developing self-compassion is not a one-time experience. It's a repeated course of thought and action where we continually identify difficult feelings and our response to them. This self-awareness practice involves introspection and learning to listen to ourselves and what we need, rather than ignoring difficult feelings. Without identifying, acknowledging, and bringing our intention to care for ourselves, we most frequently get caught in a fight or flight response to our own feelings. Either response leads to disconnection from ourselves and those around us. The isolation from others and disconnect from our own hearts push us into a place of alienation.

By questioning ourselves in our trying times and asking if we like these feelings, we can get clear that this is a sure sign of self-rejection. This allows us to realize not only the rejection but also can encourage us to develop ways to move toward healing. Strock uses his experience through a years-long challenge through medication reactions related to a kidney transplant as an example, as well as the lessons and examples provided by working with and learning from terminally ill clients. Consistently realizing how we reject ourselves helps us work toward self-acceptance and self-compassion. This also allows us to care in a more empathic way for others.

Listen to the episode and find out more at Awareness That Heals