12. The Art of Self-Compassion

The average yogi might tell you that self-compassion means being kind and gentle with yourself. However, a skilled yogi understands that the true art of self-compassion lies in confronting the gut-wrenching truth of your mortality and accepting the very source of your suffering. Kindness and gentleness are essential, but they are expressions of mindfulness, not the entirety of self-compassion.

The concept of compassion, rooted in Buddhism, teaches us to accept life as it is and trust in the path that unfolds. It’s my belief that Buddhists, in their pursuit of nirvana, cultivated compassionate thinking as a means to remain conflict-free on their transcendental journey. By avoiding attachment to anything that could disrupt their commitment to transcendence, they used compassion as a tool to stay detached from the fleeting experiences of the mind and body.

Whether you are facing a charging elephant or wrestling with your inner demons, the principle remains: "Accept what is and trust in the path set forth." This acceptance allows you to transcend the thoughts, feelings, and sensations that tether you to material existence.

Self-compassion is the root of all healing and the gateway to transcendence. To practice it, look into a mirror, confront the imperfections and flaws of your body, and affirm: "Accept what is and trust in the path set forth." Learn to face reality as it is and transcend it through acceptance—this is the essence of self-compassion.

I bring this to your attention now because truth-seeking meditation requires honesty about your thoughts and feelings. You cannot transcend what you refuse to confront. To reach higher states of awareness, which reshape and elevate your experience of life, you must face the truths within you.

If you need healing, you must trace your pain to its source. While mindfulness can guide you along the way, denying or avoiding your pain will only deepen the wound. In all my years teaching meditation, I’ve never met anyone incapable of confronting their demons. What I have encountered are individuals lacking the awareness or tools to do so—this is why I’m here teaching you today.

Remember what I’ve taught you: when in doubt, return to the breath. And as we delve deeper, keep trying, again and again, until you can fully embrace what is and trust in the path before you.

Coming Up Next Week

Next week, we’re going to explore the subtle difference between dissociation and detattachment. Stay tuned, and don't forget to share this blog with a friend. Happy meditating!

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Please note: Esoteric concepts are not meant to be taken literally or as absolute truths. However, they can provide valuable perspectives and context, helping our limited human minds grasp complex ideas.