FROM BEARS (Barry Neil Kaufman): Inner Strength -- not a given or a "right" but fundamentals we can develop. 1) learning to "explain" ourselves to ourselves, 2) making relationships where they didn't exist before, 3) showing up fully/being present, 4) maximizing being authentic (allowing people to see what's inside), 5) choosing love and loving as our center, 6) getting skillful in being happy, no matter what. Attitudes/Tool -- we can learn.
Years ago, I did judgment and anger to feel strong. Then I figured out another path to Inner Strength. I think of all the programs I teach at The Option Institute, this one is so, so central. Judgment and anger is not only an illusion of power; it's often unpleasant and self-defeating. It separates rather than creates bonding. It's promotes the seeds of violence and war rather than creating a community of folks that can hold hands respectfully, even joyfully, with each other. In the end, the ultimate Inner Strength is our ability to take ownership of who we are and what we do -- and to maximize our choice to bring our most authentic, accepting and loving self into all our relationships.
Love, Bears
I believe judgement and anger are powerlessness, and as you say Bears, are an illusion of power. I think if we choose to let go of our our own self-judgements and anger with ourselves, this provides the emotional space allowing us to be more loving and accepting of others which I believe is true power. The six fundamentals you mention up above can get us there, but thankyou for posting this because I have had anger, particularly at myself, as a major life issue which I am determined to work through, hence I have signed up for Inner Strength next year. I am confident the course will, as you say Bears, gives us the tools to help ourselves bring authenticity, acceptance and a loving self into all our relationships.
ReplyDeleteMark Oakley
I have signed up for the Inner Strength course next July and I hope I can develop the six fundamentals by then. I totally agree that judgement and anger can make us feel strong but in fact it is powerlessness that results. Being authentic; loving and accepting is the antedote to judgement and anger.
ReplyDeleteMark Oakley
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ReplyDeleteI think many associate inner strength with competition, might, courage and power. Associating inner strength as a way to bring our most authentic, accepting and loving self into our relationships, and to live joyfully, is a new way of thinking for many people in western society. Judgement and anger is so ingrained in many of us, I see the inner strength course as the most effective antidote to this "illusion of power."
ReplyDeleteMark Oakley