In this talk, I delve into the practice of self-tolerance—what it means and why it’s essential for both personal growth and how we connect with others. The idea came to me during a visit to the Holocaust and Intolerance Museum, a sobering experience that made me reflect deeply on how easily we categorize others, losing sight of the shared humanity that binds us.

But what about how we categorize and treat ourselves? For so long, I’ve carried a relentless inner critic, a voice that doesn’t always feel like my own, shaped by repeated stories and judgments. Over time, I’ve realized how this inner dialogue shapes my actions and my capacity to extend compassion outward.

Through my own yoga and meditation practice, I’ve discovered that self-tolerance isn’t about indulging or ignoring flaws—it’s about creating space for kindness and understanding within. When I soften toward myself, I find it easier to see others with compassion and to recognize their struggles as reflections of my own.

This practice has taught me that the path to empathy starts with learning to embrace myself as I am. By practicing self-tolerance, we begin to ripple that same compassion outward, creating a world that feels a little softer and more connected for everyone.

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