image credit: alicepopkorn
Last night I watched a movie that a friend had highly recommended. All through the movie, I was anticipating that it would get better, then it ended without fulfilling the expectations I built up based on my friend’s gushing. In fact, to me, it was rather shallow. I thought, how could she think that this was a great movie? Then I caught myself judging her tastes and values. This was yet another example where I am being shown how one must not come to conclusions or judge a person or situation based upon one’s likes or dislikes. This kind of teaching experience has been showing up for me lately, so I was not surprised when I read the message on my tea-bag this morning: Appreciate yourself—honor your soul.
I am being reminded of this gem: Appreciate yourself—honor your soul. This teaching comes to me in many guises, sometimes in my own life experience, or in the lives of people around me. Our myths teach us this lesson and in the modern myth of Star Trek, one of the stories that depicts this teaching for me, is the series on The Borg. The Borg are a race of extra-terestials whose existence is based on a hive colony matrix, consisting of a queen who is served by drones, all connected to one central mind. They all share the same information, one mind with no individuality. Their mandate is to conquer other species and assimilate them in order to add biological and technological resources to their own. They force other cultures to adapt and service their own, stripping them of individuality and suppressing all emotions. When a species is being taken over, there is an ominous monotone voice announcing their intention, “We are The Borg, …you must comply, resistance is futile…” In one episode, the starship, Enterprise is being confronted by the Borg with the typical greeting. The captain of the Enterprise replies, “Impossible, my culture is based on freedom and self-determination.” The Borg responds, “Freedom is irrelevant. Self-determination is irrelevant. You must comply.” The captain says, “We would rather die.” To which The Borg responds, “Death is irrelevant. Your archaic cultures are authority driven.”
The mentality of The Borg is somewhat like our culture today. We live in a society that determines for us how we should live, think, act, and dress. Though we cherish our individuality and freedom of expression, it is not unusual for some people to judge themselves if they do not conform to the norms that society portrays as acceptable. These predilections are so insidious they are bred in the very fabric of what is considered normal behavior patterns. We want to mold the universe to our way of thinking instead of letting the universe mold our way of thinking. For example, I met a high-school student who is intelligent, creative and has an enthusiasm for learning and exploring mysticism and the philosophy of eastern religions. He is happy with his life except that he is often plagued with a need to fit in with his peers, to be as gregarious and to enjoy doing what most teenagers do these days. He often has confrontations with his friends about his lifestyle choices. It does not surprise me that he experiences low self-esteem and tortures himself with wishing he was more like his friends.
It is important to recognize that we are all have different personalities. Some of us are introverts, some extroverts and sometimes we move between these two ways of being. In our society, being an extrovert is considered normal and being an introvert can be challenging if you want to succeed in the world which rewards extroverted behavior. The message, “Accept yourself—honor your soul,” is relevant here. We gain personal success when we honor who we are, just as we allow other people to be who they are. No matter what another person is doing with their lives, it is perfect for them for whatever lessons they are wanting to learn. There is no one way that is right or wrong, just different. What is meaningful is that we are true to ourselves. For me I am mostly an introvert bordering on being a hermit and yet there are times that I can be very social and enjoy that too. I have come a long way in accepting my nature, and not be too bothered by what people think of me. My friends accept my idiosyncrasies and let me be. I appreciate that about them, and I honor myself for my choices.
The mystics speak of our paradoxical nature; that though we are all made of the same fabric of universal consciousness, we are all individuals with a creative impulse, seeking to return to the experience of unity consciousness. On the one hand, we are all intrinsically the same on the level of spirit, but in our human incarnation, we are a splendid variety of personalities each with our own uniqueness. The beauty of this existence is that in the myriads of life-forms each individual exudes a singular beauty, delightful in its form and function. A sense of freedom comes with the ability to embrace each person or thing that we encounter. It is a gift to have the perspective that everything is perfect in its being, and has a right to exist, whether or not we like what we see and feel about it. When we do not appreciate the diversity of existence we can create suffering for ourselves and others.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
This is indeed a wonderful post pointing at the vital importance of moving from “Person to Presence”. when we limit our vision to a person, judgement, division and duality play a major role. but, when perception shifts to the presence of divinity, we are indeed aware of the reality as it is…and not get carried away by the projections and idea of the mind.
Great post, Miruh!
When we honour the uniqueness of others, we honour the uniqueness in ourselves as well. When we accept others, we also accept ourselves. Thank you, Miruh, for sharing your uniqueness! As always, I read your post once and find many gems of wisdom … and I read it a second time only to discover that I missed some of what was said. You have a way with words that always brings me to a deep & silent place.
Hello Mergingpoint,
Thank you for bringing up that point which I did not mention, “…when perception shifts to the presence of divinity, we are indeed aware of the reality as it is…and not get carried away by the projections and idea of the mind.”
Indeed, it is the grace of divine vision which gives us the experience of unity consciousness in all existence.
As always your wise input helps to clarify my thoughts. Thank you!!!
Namaste!
Hello Nicole,
And thank you too for sharing your uniqueness here. Always a pleasure to read your thoughts which bring depth to the conversation. It is one of the reasons I continue with this blog, I know there are people like you who are reinspired by these words. Thanks for your encouragement and support!
Hope summer is happening in your neck of the woods. We are getting rain and more rain. ;(
A rain of blessings to you and yours!
Thank you Miruh,
There are many pulls from society, from others, that can take us away from our own integrity. How important indeed to live in honour of one’s own integrity. How often I too have discovered something inside calls me back, as I too bounce from being extrovert, to being introvert. Both seem and feel important. (I love the playful picture in the garden.) Thank you once again for sharing.
Hello Monica,
It is a playful image isn’t it? I thought it illustrates the post well.
I like what you said,”…I too have discovered something inside calls me back…” With the practice: Appreciate yourself-honor your soul…we learn to hear the still inner voice that brings us back to ourselves. It is the paradox of soul work.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sending blessings for an ease-full time with this part of your journey!
Our own actions play a significant role in our overall attitude and we must begin to use each experience as a growth opportunity. Our society is built on judgment, for reasons of creed and reasons of vanity. Knowing that we each designed our path for the greater good, there really is no need to judge ourselves or others for our perceived “mistakes.” There are no mistakes, only choices, and we should never pity anyone for their choices. To pity someone means to see them as a victim and no one on Earth is a victim. We are each merely following our predetermined path. Instead, we should train ourselves to empathize, appreciate and learn from them. We may never fully understand the path of another, nevertheless, we must respect their eternal wishes and remind ourselves that they may be having the exact experience they desired.
Whenever I am having a difficult time understanding a situation, I contemplate what the person may be seeking to learn or contribute, rather than how traumatic it may all seem at the moment. Sometimes I am able to makes sense of their wishes, other times I am not. However, it is not my position to judge their circumstances. It is merely my position to value their contribution to all of mankind.
Hello Elaine,
Welcome!
Well said, “It is merely my position to value their contribution to all of mankind.”
To have this perspective sets us free, the freedom to love anyway without conditions.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your wisdom.
Namaste!
Hi Miruh and the rest,
I stumbled upon your site whilst contemplating some sort solace and solution (from the spiritual world), to a neurological issue (hopefully initial stage), confronting a younger brother of mine who is living far away from us in another country. I am deeply touched and moved by your article and the comments made herein. I have a feeling I groped and found a place to be enlightened for my self and my kith and kin. Divinity at play!
Wazir.S
Hello Wazir,
Welcome!
I am glad that these words bring comfort to you in these challenging times for you and your family.
Sometimes when we cannot find answers in the physical reality of life’s circumstances, having another perspective that goes beyond the limitations of our experience can bring healing. The outer events may not change but how we cope with them and perceive ourselves is the healing that changes our experience of life and all we encounter.
A rain of blessings to you and your family for continued healing!
Hello,
I just found this blog. Very good posts here.
Honor myself, I have to always remember that when I’m feeling self centered and self pity coming on.
Hello Lynn
Welcome!
Yes the work is to keep coming back to what is true, that we are innately divine beings having a human experience. We are constantly being given opportunities to remember.
I took a quick peek at your site. Inspiring words for fellow seekers.
Thanks for stopping by.
Namaste!
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