[Test your self acceptance with the “Self Acceptance Test” using the Download button above. When you are done download the scoring sheet here] I would like to continue with the discussion we have been having about self love, self esteem and self approval with an article from 2001 by the Buddhist teacher, Tara Brach, entitled,

By offering yourself and others the verbal gifts of heart-centered support, you are no longer held emotionally hostage, waiting for others to say the very words that you have the power to provide yourself.

Last week we discussed the Hawkins Map of Consciousness and the different frequency levels of different emotions. All of the more negative traits such as fear, shame, guilt, and, the lowest of the low, apathy fall below 200, while the more positive traits, reason, acceptance, willingness, are above 200 and the more spiritual values, love,

What you still need to know is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward that dream.

What I have found is that most of us are afraid that if we let go of the behaviors that are protecting us we will be lost, unprotected and thus damaged more. However, when we let those behaviors go, we discover our wholeness, our true strength, our creative problem solving abilities—and in the humbleness of that moment, we discover that a Higher Power has our back.

When we “speak our minds” and say whatever pops into our heads, it hasn’t gone through the “purpose and truth test.” While it may be honest to say what you think, your opinion is not the truth.

For the last couple of weeks we have been discussing the difference between religion and spirituality. So why does this matter? I think that there is a great change occurring and it is important when you say, “I’m spiritual not religious” you have a clear understanding of what that means.

No one is an island. We all need other at points in our lives. A lively discussion on the meaning of religion and spirituality.

The recent events should cause us to reflect on how consistent our daily lives are with our spiritual beliefs. Fear causes us to act irrationally, focusing on our differences, instead of seeing where we, as Gandhi told us, have to be the change we want to see in the world.