Mar 2
My own practice has brought me back round to looking at patterns of control. In our culture, we are heavily conditioned to try to be in control - of our emotions, of other people, of life events - and it’s such a huge delusion.
I’ve come to realise, there’s a difference between putting myself down, and embracing a healing humility. It’s a hard distinction to see, in a world that can equate being humble with a lack of confidence.
I awake feeling under the weather. Today is not the day for pushing myself, or ignoring my needs. I start the day extra-slow, permission to go easy on myself. My chosen practice is self-kindness, so it doesn't have to look like my usual morning meditation.
The practices of mindfulness and self-kindness enable me to find a different response to experiences of shame. It's a very individual (and messy!) process, but if it's helpful, here's what un-shaming looks like for me.
I think I'm growing out of needing to have all the answers. And growing into embracing the questions. I've been pondering - when we don't have all the answers, what do we make room for?
Sheila Bayliss 