Shadow Cannot Drive Out Shame

9/16/2023

Based on the reading by Bonnie Rose, below are my thoughts:

What is real me? Real me is "inner greatness" which nobody can destroy or diminish it. When I accept myself fully and not my egoistic self, When I take care of me and others selflessly, I feel deep peace in me, deep joy in me, and deep fulfillment in me.
Everybody is unique. There is no need to compare oneself with others. When I do that I lose my real self. What a loss!
Selfless love, self-acceptance, loving others unconditionally. and accepting others as they are opens the portal of peace, and joy, and happiness.
Namaste!

2 Comments

Debbie Podwika

9/16/2023 04:02:09 pm

I agree with the OP and MLK Jr, shame and darkness cannot drive out shame and darkness. It is just piling on more of the same. I do feel people should feel shame if they have done something wrong/unethical/immoral. Enough that they realize/feel how wrong it is and will ask for forgiveness, rectify the consequences of their actions and correct their thinking and behavior in the future. I'll also add I feel one should feel more shame if they know what the right/correct behavior is but they do not do it or they try to purposely harm someone rather than one who is ignorant and certainly didn't mean to harm another. Dr. Jerome Kagan stated some know what is right and wrong, but they do not develop the Moral Emotions to care whether they do wrong. In this situation I say, "Why haven't they developed them?" Is it an issue with the brain? Did they not grow up in an environment where they could learn them?

As for "whole, perfect and complete" I feel that is how God sees us with all our potential realized. We are HUMAN, so we are not perfect, we are not complete nor whole. As a human we hopefully learn each day which gets us closer to our potential. God's love for us is perfect. He created us and created us as Human. I learned at a very young age that I am not here to please everyone? Who do I please? Today it is this person but tomorrow another? That is just crazy. Now it certainly does not mean I just please myself no matter if it harms others, but as far as what my purpose is on this planet, and my choices on just everyday life why do others get to tell me what is right for me? Would they let me or others decide for them?

Maria

9/17/2023 09:52:36 am

After reading this article, it makes me ponder how I allow shame to manage my actions with others. I made a mistake and made a comment that hurt two coworkers and now they are giving me the cold shoulder. At first I felt shame for having opposing their belief about an administrator but after processing my mistake, I realized that I am human and my comment was not intended to hurt anyone. It has made me guard myself from speaking freely. I have to think twice before stating my opinion even among staff that I felt safe around. If we can’t feel safe to speak than how can we learn to share our beliefs without shame of being reprimanded or excluded?
I don’t know if you touched on this during the meeting. I am sorry I can’t attend every week although I do read the articles and they help me grow. Thank you!

Mindfulness

Shadow Cannot Drive Out Shame

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