The Power of Acceptance

Resistance and Its Impact

So often in life, we unconsciously resist a part of our experience, whether it have to do with a relationship, a project we are expected to complete, an expectation others (or we) have of ourselves, or some other challenge.  We frequently do not “see” what is happening but the tip-off comes from the emotions rising within us, which often take the form of feelings of discomfort, unease, or misalignment between what we want and what we feel pressured to do. 

If we take the time to explore where these emotions are originating from, we inevitably find they are due to our resisting, or pushing against, a part of our reality.  Our work then is to first become aware of this resistance and its likely source, and then arrive at a deeper state of acceptance of that which we have been pushing against.   As all is connected in our lives, when we are in resistance in any one area of our life, it puts us at odds with life more generally.  Thus, it is imperative we seek to resolve this state of misalignment in order to experience the freedom we so dearly want. 

The Practice of Acceptance — “What Would Acceptance Look Like for Me Here?”

 We can do this by exploring what it would mean for us to accept the situation as it is by asking such questions as, “What would acceptance look like for me here?” or “What if I stopped pushing and just allowed what is to be?”  Another option: “What if I were able to see this situation as neutral and understand I am placing all the weight on it by judging its value?”  Of course, these questions only start the inquiry.  This work can be a process and it can take time to fully accept what is depending on how deeply entangled we are with it, so a state of curiosity and compassion for oneself is required here. 

 Once we do mentally accept our reality, our work is not over; we must also feel this state of acceptance deeply within us.  Breathing into our feelings, allowing ourselves to fully feel and ACCEPT them, and then, when we are ready, choosing a more conscious perspective is the work here. With this process, it is key to allow what we feel to be as it is and NOT attempt to change anything. This is the crux of the process. When we actually allow what is to be as it is, even when it is judgment of ourselves, we are interrupting the pattern and consequently space is created in the place that was previously occupied by the continuous loop of judgement/resistance.

The Power of Acceptance

 When we are able to truly *feel* acceptance, we are on our way to liberation:  When we automatically experience a greater sense of space, a heaviness that previously dominated is lifted and replaced with a burgeoning state of expansiveness.  This state of deeper acceptance reveals possibilities that weren’t apparent before and enables us to move forward more consciously and with much greater confidence to choose the action that is truly right for us given who we are and what we want.  This is true freedom.

 While this practice may be simple in concept, it does take effort to learn the subtleties of this art.  However, with a bit of practice comes great rewards.  When we master it, we learn that ultimately, we have the power to define our reality in relation to anything happening in our lives and that this is where true freedom is found.  And it can all start with asking ourselves the fundamental question:  What would acceptance look like for me here?