The Forgotten Self
The Neglected Spirit
We often associate an individual full of life and delightfulness as being in "good spirits". This state of high spirits embodies happiness, cheerfulness, truthfulness and a sense of purpose. A high spirited person is not only lively but also authentic, radiating positive energy, contentment, courage, and passion.
“She is in good spirit!” While the meaning seems clear when describing someone who is joyful and enthusiastic, the concept of spirit takes on a more nuanced meaning when applied to an abstract energy. Spirit is that vital energy, the core inner essence of our being, the soulful place where we can tune in to find wisdom, truth and guidance. We get caught up in external pursuits, filling our time with schedules, and accumulating possessions to meet the ego's desires for instant gratifications that we neglect to tune in. We become distant and disconnected to this soulful dimension that holds the key to truth, love and happiness to live a quality fulfilling life.
From Body Egos to The Forgotten Self
Disconnecting from our inner spirit for too long can cause us to forget that this energetic place ever existed. It's only when faced with challenges that we seek solace, but by then, many don't know where to begin. Our habitual tendencies would resort to replacing pain with pleasures: seeking comfort through material possessions, soothing emotions through foods, numbing pain through substance abuse, escaping reality through work and unhealthy habits. We wear many masks to hide our true self, suppressing our unwanted emotions even deeper. We begin to operate from fear feeling angry, aggressive, defensive to gain back control. It’s easier to feel victimized or lie to ourselves than to take ownership of our life.
There's no right or wrong approach, but finding balance between our external life and our internal world is key. We often follow the external paths dictated by societal norms and habitual tendencies because they’re familiar patterns, but there's also an internal journey awaiting to be explored. The only way to get through our challenges is to go through the experiences with the grace of our spirit to carve out new pathways. Some turn to religion or spiritual practices, and for a fortunate few, this faithful path leads to the realization that this divine energy, the spirit, has always been within us, guiding us towards a more soulful existence. By choosing to turn inward, we can rediscover the forgotten self that lies dormant within.
Time for Self-Discovery
Take time out for self-care, it requires paying attention and observing our mental emotional processes with love and acceptance to know what aligns with our life's journey. We spend much time critiquing the world and judging others, but little time learning our true nature. We often act on autopilot, assuming we know the answers, but how often do we inquire “Who am I?”:
Am I a negative or positive person?
Am I dwelling on past pain and future worries?
Am I contributing to my own stress?
Am I behaving calmly or impulsively?
Am I allowing my judgements to define me?
Am I in charge of my feelings and emotions?
Am I responsible for my unsound reactions?
Am I choosing kindness over hatred?
Am I nourishing my body and mind?
Am I striving to improve my well-being?
Am I becoming a better person?
Am I depending on others to love me?
Am I responsible for my own happiness?
Am I choosing love over fear?
We may not have all the answers, but self-inquiry opens doors to endless possibilities. By paying attention to our actions, words, and thoughts, we cultivate self-awareness. This awareness allows us to recognize, understand, and accept ourselves. We learn to let go, forgive, and cultivate compassion for ourselves and others, drawing love from the wellspring of our dormant spirit.
Discover Our True Nature: The Spirit
When the mind is quiet from external happenings, our spirit can surface to reveal knowledge and wisdom from the depth of our being. The spirit operates from love with understanding, giving, acceptance, patience, compassion - a superior mind that’s open creating beauty in the world. The ego operates from fear with ignorance, selfishness, rejection, aggression, hatred - an inferior mind that’s closed destroying love thinking it’s protecting the self from the world.
Reconnecting with our inner spirit opens us to a new world and transforms our perspective. To tap into this hidden treasure, we must decide to stop racing. Take a break by letting go of external noises to revive the stillness within ourselves. Immersing ourselves in nature's beauty to appreciate life’s creations: feel the grass under our feet, stop to smell the flowers, listen to the bird songs, watch the leaves dance in the wind. Take time out to reflect on our day for self-improvement opportunities and witness our own loving creations. Learn to identify our triggers and calming mechanisms to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively. Choose to act with love to create a happy and peaceful environment for ourselves and others. Self-love isn't about acquiring things at the expense of others. It's about nurturing our mental and emotional well-being by reawakening the forgotten self - the soulful spirit within.
Summary:
My thought explores the concept of our inner spirit, a vital energy that connects us to our true selves and guides us towards a meaningful life. We often neglect this dimension due to our busy lives and focus on external pursuits. It emphasizes the importance of self-discovery through self-reflection and self-care practices. By reconnecting with our spirit, we gain wisdom, compassion, and a newfound appreciation for life.