No Self Left Behind . . .
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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about inner wholeness. What makes us who we are? There are many selves inside me. They encompass every age I’ve ever been, or ever will be. They include my most tender, vulnerable, wounded selves as well as my most powerful, radiant, creative selves, and everything in between. Between them, my selves carry all of my life’s experiences, as well as the experiences of my ancestors, my culture, and my species.
One of my daily practices is to call a circle of selves into my heart and to make room for the necessary conversations between them. These conversations explore different ways of being and belonging. They deepen my commitment to being all of who I am, leaving no part of my self behind.
We don’t attempt to resolve differences so much as articulate them. The truth of each aspect of my inner being, when it’s fully expressed, listened to and respected, brings my disparate selves into harmony with each other. Or at least, holds them in a space of love and safety, where they can be at peace with each other.
Like a family gathering that may start out with loudly stated or silent discontent, but that ends in convivial laughter (and sometimes tears) around the dinner table, these conversations deepen the relationships between my selves.
When every part of myself supports and contributes to the life I’m shaping, that life becomes infinitely richer. Creating it becomes a coherent activity, rather than one in which my selves are pulling in different directions. The result is simplicity, wholeness, ease. From this place, I can contribute to my world by the quality of my being, rather than simply through the things I do.
How about you? Which selves are you most comfortable with? Which ones need your love and attention at this time? What healing conversations await you?
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I love this idea.
I’ve been working through various processes that are about integration, rather than getting rid of those aspects that are not seen by the world or indeed me as acceptable.
This is a great practice.
Joely Black´s last post … In which I am interviewed by Podioracket
I have a visualization I do of all the parts of me and what they have to teach me and what they need from me as well. Love it. Denying parts of ourselves, repressing parts of ourselves, cutting parts of us out (or trying to), is just mean.
;-)
Love this post, as always, Hiro.
Thank you!
All the best!
deb
Deb Owen´s last post … don’t deny your story – own it
YES! So funny to be reading this because I was thinking yesterday about a meditation I wrote in The Woman’s Retreat Book called the Gathering of the Whole. It’s about bringing together all your selves – well, not all as that might take forever but the main characters :) – to a round table, letting them have a moment of attention, being heard, and then letting these parts of you speak to each other.
I am blown away that you do this everyday. I love the peeks into your wonderful rich wholeness, Hiro!
Jennifer Louden´s last post … Freedom from Self-Improvement: The Freedom of Being
Dearest woman,
I so adore you!
Thank you for these beautiful musings & insights…
Goddess Leonie | Goddess Guidebook´s last post … One of Those Days
I love this post Hiro, and the idea of no self left behind!
I enjoy a similar practice and encourage clients to do the same. Ha! I can tell that my years as a manager influence me as I call my “team” of selves, my advisory board! But it is a frame of reference that works…it is my group, so of course it is centered in love…
But, like any well functioning team, this process fosters communication, trust, autonomy, common purpose and the essentialness of each…
And on a personal note, which part is wanting more attention? Well, a trip to clothing store recently allowed my physical self to get my attention—>more love and attention here, please! if you get my drift :)
w/ love and gratitude
Judy´s last post … Grow Luxuriantly, From the Inside Out
I love this idea so much. I don’t even have words for how much I’d love to get all my selves in a room with some coffee and snacks.
I love how you talk about the discordant parts, and the fighting, and then the happiness and loving. Our selves are like our family, the wise ones, the ones that are just striking out on their own, the ones that need attention.
Thank you!
Bridget´s last post … Divine Guidance and the Sea and the Wrestling with the Artifact
Hiro,
This reminds me of one of my favorite ’storypeople’ stories… “I think my life would be easier if I could just get my selves to agree on something.” Here’s the link: http://www.storypeople.com/storypeople/WebStory.do?action=Show&storyID=1101
Liz´s last post … Back in the saddle again….