Self-acceptance is soul acceptance

Julia excels at work as a management consultant, is a loving wife, and a marathon runner. And yet, she tends to feel awful about herself all the time. She tells me it's as if "Beat Me Up FM" is playing in her head all day long, announcing: "This is not enough!" "Faster, harder, more!"

I have found that Julia is not my only student who is tuning in to this frequency. After I moved here from Brazil, I grew to love America; I see how people are encouraged to improve their skills and grow in abundance. It is beautiful. I also recognize in this country an abundance that often seems to be unfulfilling. I see people with big houses, three dogs, and a family, but it is as if the constant feeling of "lacking something" is always lingering there, no matter what.

I joke with her, telling her that she is not Wonder Woman's secret identity.

In Yoga, we learn the importance of knowing ourselves, which also enables us to better know how to function in life in a balanced and fulfilling way. In this process of discovery, it is vital that we are able to sit down in a non-judgmental chair and learn to just watch "what is", with no finger pointing or criticisms. Julia does not seem to know how to appreciate who she is. I joke with her, telling her that she is not Wonder Woman's secret identity. We talk about how, instead of being a non-stopping achiever, to learn to enjoy more who she already is.

Due to the fact that at least rationally we may already know "what to do", we may find ourselves stuck at a point that rational arguments simply will not allow us to move forward. This new and positive impression discussed by Patanjali needs to be delivered in a more subtle, and yet deeper, way.

In yoga, the "minding" of thoughts receives a great deal of attention. Thoughts can be so powerful that they can shape who we appear to be. In one of the most important yogic texts, the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, it is stated that when bad impressions and negative thoughts begin to overwhelm, one way to control them and to put them to rest is to create new and positive impressions in the mind.

In my private practice I teach my students to create strong new impressions which are positive and conducive to self-acceptance. I often lead them through deep guided imagery practices which penetrate to a deeper level of their subconscious and unconscious mind. This allows us to fix new and positive impressions and imspire positive change in behavior and thought. After many sessions of exposure to these practices, Julia shares with me that she has had "strange" experiences. She tells me that has found herself tuning into a new and previously unheard-of radio station. I call it WBUR- Wise and Beautiful You Are! And whenever there is an "interference" coming from the "beat me up" radio station, she focuses and tunes in even more with the new positive one.

"How ironic", some would say!

When we surrender, we conquer!

I also teach my students that, ultimately, self-acceptance is to know who we truly are. It is to realize that we are beyond these bodies and minds. Ultimately, self-acceptance is soul-acceptance.

Once we become accepting of our imperfections and personal challenges, we begin to be ready to explore who we truly are. "How ironic", some would say! When we surrender, we conquer! We are then prepared to enter into contact with a place within, where we are already luminous, wise and beautiful. Yoga is one of the technologies that teaches how to access and operate from this inner place of plentitude, bliss and kindness.

Yoga is one of the technologies that teaches how to access and operate from this inner place of plentitude, bliss and kindness.

This may seem a long-term goal. In the relatively short term, our gain is to experience easiness. Easiness with who we are. To be able to sit very close to ourselves and say: "Hey!" Like saluting an old and dear friend.

As we initiate our walk on this path, it does not mean that we are going to put up with being sloppy or lazy. It actually can be quite the opposite, since being self-accepting can be hard work for some of us. In the beginning, it is going to feel like "This is me today and it's ok". It then evolves into being present in the moment, leading to being at ease with it and with who you are. From moment to moment.