Living the Inner Life

Dr. Carl Jung stated: "We all walk in shoes too small for us", and that can be true on so many levels. We all know that we don't always live up to 100% of our potential - there's always something more we could be doing to improve our lives. But that's known potential, but what about hidden potential that we are not even aware of? There are likely potentialities that lie far beyond our awareness, yet we can discover these and envision and larger sense of who we are and what we are capable of accomplishing. This may be behind why we often feel too small or powerless when facing challenges. We know more than we know. We can do more than we think we can do. Be open to a larger version of your self and your abilities!

Before a farmer can plant a crop in the ground, the soil must first be prepared to receive the seed. Otherwise, it won't take and probably won't grow very well. The same thing happens when we try to change a behavior or attitude to a new and better one. If the old way of thinking and believing hasn't been sufficiently disrupted, it will overpower the new idea and  revert back. This is the paradigm under which we operate - the 'way things are' that we accept without thinking about. It is on this level that we must prepare our inner life to receive and nurture the better habits of thought, speech and action that we want to cultivate.

The best way to get somewhere is to first accept where you are. But that doesn't mean stay where you are. Even GPS navigation needs to know where you are to get you where you want to go. Same with the Inner Life. If you want to change some part of yourself, you must acknowledge were you are first. Non-acceptance creates a barrier to actually get to work on yourself. You wouldn't lie to a doctor about your symptoms, or deny them. Even the unfavorable aspects of our selves must be accepted as fact - and use that as a launching pad to improve and progress forward. Accept what is, honestly and thoughtfully. Then, like an Alchemist changing the lead to gold, go to work and transform your weaknesses into strengths.

Self-Care is more than retail therapy and binge watching TV in your pajamas. Those kinds of things are fine to reward yourself or take a break from the stresses of daily life. An enlightened self care is when you are really doing something to de-stress and relax your inner life as well. Sometimes this takes the form of meditation, reading, going out in nature - or just doing 'nothing' - that is, stopping the monkey mind of runaway thinking. Make this important. Even if you only have 15 minutes here, or 5 minutes there - take that break from the worry, responsibility and pressureful demands on your life. Mark this time allotment in your schedule and honor yourself by letting yourself off the hook, off the clock and release your worries and troubles to a higher power - either in yourself or in the Universe. You are worth it and we need you!

"I think I can, I think I can," said the Little Engine Who Could. And it worked. Positive self-talk can produce amazing results. The problem arises when there is a strong undercurrent of a negative self-concept that conflicts with the positive affirmation. Just tacking on a mantra or affirmation to a hardened, cynical attitude will produce mixed results at best. For an affirmation to work, it has to be received in you inner life. You have to be receptive to this new idea, or otherwise you will reject it, unconsciously or unknowingly. 

Like a farmer who tills the hard, dry soil to receive the seed, we also must clear the way and be open to plant new ideas. The best way is to take the advice of Emile Coue and repeat often: "Day by day, in every way, I am getting better and better."

The quote, 'The grass is always greener on the other side" is a cautionary tale about envy. The comparison game can never be won - there will always be someone or something 'better out there'. It is also true that grass - actual grass - is always greener in the places where you water it the most. Same with the Inner Life. Our goals and dreams must be watered in order for them to grow, but are they getting enough? Life demands so much of our time and energy that there may not be as much left over for growing yourself. Also, the watering hose may be leaking, disconnected from source, or obstructed with distractions of a hundred kinds. Make sure these are shored up, then direct your life energy and watch yourself grow!

"If you see a fork in the road, take it." This Yogi Berra quote speaks the heart of being faced with a decision. We can overthink our choices, which makes decision even harder. There can be fear of making the wrong choice, the consequence of our decision on others, and we can try to get out of the responsibility of making a decision. Sometimes, it's the little decisions that can be difficult as well. Our emotional state and feelings about the decision hold quite a bit of power, and override our more logical, rational thoughts. If you are faced with indecision, the emotional factor is likely at work. So get to work on your feelings about the choices, find out if they are getting in the way or helping you make the decision. Fear can cause indecision, and it can show up as a lack of confidence and weakness. Most often, it is better to decide something and go with it, than to remain stuck on the fence of self-doubt.

Continuing with the previous episode on Setting Goals and Working the Plan, I outline my goals, describe a working plan and mostly, why I set out to launch my own podcast as an example. My goals, plans and reasons are my own and yours are for you to follow. By using my specific example as a template, hopefully you will be able to translate that into pursuing the goals that you have in your heart.

"There are many paths to the mountaintop" is an ancient quote about reaching the goal of enlightenment. Whatever your goal is - be it lofty or earthly - it has to be clarified and vitalized. Then, as you work your definite plan of action, you may have to adapt to the changing conditions. Having a strong reason why you want to achieve a particular goal will keep you on track and help you get through the more difficult parts of the path. The path can change along the way to continue to support the goal. 

Same with the inner life. Set the self-improvement goals with clarity and with strong reasons why you want to achieve them. Sometimes the steps are difficult to see, but you will always stay on track as long as you keep the goal in sight and the reasons behind it energized. The path will become clear as long as you keep moving toward your goal.

We seem to crave change in our lives, yet are often unwilling to do what it takes to make the change. Underneath every desire to make a positive change is an emotionally vitalized survival mode that wants to keep things just as they are. The fantasy of getting fit without exercise, or becoming a great musician without practicing, never really works out. A fundamental change of our operating system is needed in order to make lasting improvements we so desire.