Accept yourself and others

YES, YOU CAN DO IT!

DAAJI shares some simple practices to cultivate acceptance – of self and others. They will change your life as you are able to let go of the hurts, grudges, and guilt you hold and live life with contentment in the present.

Dear friends,

Our daily struggles are often the result of unmet expectations, plans gone awry, and feeling like we have no control of situations. How to foster a state of inner peace and accept whatever comes our way?

When we learn the art of acceptance, it is the acceptance that makes life successful. 

Life is full of surprises, and navigating change is not always easy. It is better not to expect too much. When we are able to accept whatever life throws at us, we learn to constantly adapt to situations and the actions of ourselves and others without being disturbed. There is no perfect human being. We are colliding against each other with our imperfections!
We accept some things with so much joy and have aversion to others. It is when our hearts become small that acceptance bids goodbye. We more easily accept people and their idiosyncrasies when they are our own. When they are not our own, it is a different matter. But connecting with our hearts and diving deep within brings a new perspective and allows us to accept and grow with empathy and compassion.

Here are some simple practices to foster acceptance of ourselves and others:

Self-acceptance

Sit quietly and give yourself a hug, with feelings of cherishing the person you are. Rest quietly in this pose for a while. This can release feelings of anxiety, sadness, and persistent thoughts of difficult situations or hurt given or received.

Connecting with our hearts and diving deep within
brings a new perspective and allows us to
accept and grow with empathy and compassion.

Let go

• Sit in a comfortable position.
• Gently close your eyes and bring your attention to your heart. Dive as deep as you can within your heart and rest there for a few moments.
• Feel your heart’s ability to accept everything, and let that acceptance spread through you. Notice the vacuum that is created when you are able to accept.
• Invoke the presence of the Divine, which will naturally flow into the vacuum.
• Go deeper into that state of acceptance and allow the presence of the Divine to expand within you.
• While deeply absorbed in the Divine, ask for forgiveness for any mistakes you may have committed, even unknowingly. Resolve not to repeat them again.
• Stay in this state with total self-acceptance for a few minutes.

Acceptance of others – seeding positive thoughts 

Sometimes it is difficult to accept the behavior and actions of others. It disturbs our equanimity and causes distress. This exercise helps us to feel more accepting and understanding of them.

• Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
• Imagine the form of the person in front of you.
• Have the thought that “this person is my friend and wishes well toward me.”
• Think that all negative thoughts the person has about you are going, and thoughts related to your welfare have been infused in them instead.
• When you breathe out, have the thought that particles of your love and affection are entering their heart.
• When you breathe in, have the thought that you are pulling all the negative thoughts they have about you from their heart and throwing them aside.

Initially you may feel resistance, but if you are courageous it will become easier as you do it.

These practices are more effective once you have had three free Heartfulness meditation sessions with a certified trainer. You can find and contact a trainer near you at www.heartspots.heartfulness.org. 

I wish you all the best,
 Daaji