By Chase Powell
Neurobiological research suggests that your body is wired for compassion, yet many unknowingly ignore this natural blueprint.
The problem isn’t that you do not know who you are; it’s that you are encouraged to be afraid, ashamed, or dismissive of who you are in the name of appeasing cultural norms. This dishonesty numbs you to being vulnerable with others, but primarily, with yourself.
The Meaning Of Vulnerability
Vulnerability is the genesis of your emotions. It is the courage to be completely honest with yourself; to lay yourself bare and accept your imperfections.
While vulnerability may seem like the source of fear, shame, or sadness, it is also the wellspring of joy, love and happiness. By being truly honest, you liberate yourself from the expectations placed upon you by outside influences and embrace your true self. Vulnerability lets you cultivate the courage to get what you want out of your life. By developing compassion for yourself, you can then spread that love into your relationships, family and community.
Get Honest With Yourself
So how can you become more honest with yourself? How do you find that inner courage to fully be your authentic self?
Meditation is a great practice for building awareness of your vulnerability and unlocking your emotional spectrum. Focusing on the heart Chakra, Anahata, while using the mantra “Yam” will open your heart to self-love. If you are finding that your meditations are not as effective as you’d like, try changing your method. Introduce music (or try new music), use meditation spheres, or try walking meditations.
For those of you who are new to meditation, here is a simple guide:
1. Sit in a quiet space absent of bright light. You can sit cross legged, in the lotus position, or upright in a chair. Be sure to keep your spine comfortably erect.
2. Close your eyes and become aware of your body. Briefly recognize the weight of your body, starting from your toes and slowly shifting to the top of your head.
3. Slowly inhale while counting to 4, momentarily hold your breath, then release when you reach 4. You will discover your preferred tempo after a few meditations.
4. Focus on counting while observing your thoughts. Don’t intervene – you are merely trying to become aware of these thoughts and detach yourself from them. Observing these thoughts will help you become more aware of your honest feelings and desires, and therefore, open the door to self-love.
5. Practicing gratitude is another way to boost your self-love. I find that the simplest way to feel grateful is via a daily writing exercise. Studies show that writing reinforces all aspects of our working memory, thereby solidifying gratitude into your mind for the day.
While starting your day, take a few moments to write down three things you are grateful for in a notebook. Remember that the simplest things can often be taken for granted. Be mindful of your home, health, family, friends and education as sources of gratitude.
Our vulnerability is the doorway to courage, love and compassion. Using these techniques, I guarantee you will start to develop an awareness of your honest desires and build self-love!
To learn more about the power of vulnerability, check out Brené Brown’s TED Talk.
Glenn was in an accident with a hockey puck that made it so his mouth had to be wired shut! While he was going through recovery he found that Organifi Protein sustained him in a healthy way where he was able to maintain his muscle mass while still be able to loose weight.
-Tragedy Turns to Opportunity, Weightloss and Holistic Health
Glenn was in an accident with a hockey puck that made it so his mouth had to be wired shut! While he was going through recovery he found that Organifi Protein sustained him in a healthy way where he was able to maintain his muscle mass while still be able to loose weight.
-Tragedy Turns to Opportunity, Weightloss and Holistic Health
