Layers

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."- Lao Tzu, China

Most of us consider ourselves to be composites of all that we go through. We see ourselves as a bundle of past experiences, a grab-bag of emotions in a cycle of patterns that have played out time and time again. Most of the time we are on auto pilot; we don't notice that we are making decisions based on past experiences. We don't realize that we have preconceived ideas about people and events that shape the way we deal with them.

Other times we tire of all this. We notice our hangups and become exhausted knowing how complicated we are. We wish we could start anew. Sometimes we just want the patterns to stop.

Beneath the complicated layers of prejudices, we are pure and aware beings. The needy, reactive actions we take are merely coverings of our inner essence. The essence within only knows love, and wants to share love.

When you begin to feel overwhelmed with your hangups, take a moment to step back, breathe deeply, and become aware of the fact that deep down, you are very simple. Put your hand over your heart and feel its rhythm. Visualize your heart growing in your chest, and imagine that it is wide open to everything and everyone you encounter. Continue this visualization for a couple of minutes. Go through the rest of your day with the image of your enlarged heart accepting all, including yourself. You will be amazed at what happens!