Being Courageously Honest
Honesty does take courage. We often shy away from taking a deep look at the self, because when we look within we know we will find all the flaws and weaknesses, memories of things that caused sorrow, and we are afraid to take a closer look – because we think that those parts of us define us, which they do not.
Social honesty is different. We cannot walk through life being totally honest with all people and in all situations – but we can be true to ourselves, as long as we really understand who we are. This takes spiritual honesty. From a healing perspective, which is part of the spiritual journey, this kind of honesty is essential. What must be clear to most of us by now is that the world is presenting ever more intense situations for us to deal with; situational, relationships, circumstances. It is very important to see the influence of these intense energies on us – but to view them as if they were a shadow. Shadows can be dispelled with the light of clarity and honesty.
The shadow influence can prevent us from seeing clearly and distance us from the power to discern what is right and what is wrong. When we know that something is true but suppress that knowledge to conform, some part of us inside, dies. Anything that suppresses my true state – that of the soul – of goodness and the natural state of peace, light, love and joy – should have the light of truth shone upon it. When we come under the influence of these shadows, the first thing we begin to do is lose faith in ourselves. It erodes self-confidence and the faith we once had in ourselves. We start to overthink, lose our ability to discern and we become spiritually depleted. The habit of taking sorrow from things people say, places we find ourselves, the desire for approval at all costs, we become ‘the victim’ very quickly.
We look outwards for someone to blame or find someone to take responsibility for the pain. The ego takes over and begins the endless spiral of analysing. This does not bring clarity – it depletes our energy.
When the inner world becomes very clear through honesty, love begins to work. The soul feels safe and can hear where the hurt is coming from and then we can take responsibility for what is going on – the heart has acknowledged and accepted. When we accept what is going on in our inner world – the interesting thing is that very often the situations on the outside begin to shift. Ignoring something because we cannot face it brings other things we cannot face and then we become so confused we do not know where to start. We have to untangle this web of feelings inside. We can start with just having the simple pure intention:
“Let me at least be honest with myself.” There are three simple steps to begin untangling.
1. Hold that intention of being honest. Give ourself permission to look at the self with honesty – because we deserve peace.
2. ‘Lift the bonnet’ – look closely at where all the ‘steam’ is coming from. This puts a spotlight on what is going on. When we reduce the intensity of one of our shadows –the other shadows begin to diminish too.
3. Check how I am responding to suffering.
Am I, a) suffering but in denial; b) trapped – do not know what to do or how to do it; or c) in a state of inertia – know exactly what to do but cannot or will not do it?
These simple steps are a gateway into receiving guidance. The universe and the drama of life respond, and so does The Divine. We are finding acceptance and this is important to setting ourselves free. Just find out what is in my heart and mind that is not aligned to my true self. Then the shift begins.
Aashish Patel works in IT and coordinates Brahma Kumaris activities at the Lighthouse Retreat Centre, Worthing, UK.
