Look Deeper

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Maybe you are searching among the branches for what only appears in the roots.  ~ Rumi

How often do we get caught up in examining our actions instead of looking deeper into ourselves?  We meditate and take care of ourselves. We are kind and compassionate to those around us.  We do all the right things.  Yet, how often do we look below the surface at any pesky, penetrating issues?  Do we keep our house tidy and clutter-free on the surface but leave our cupboards and drawers jammed and disorderly?

Our world is very appearance-oriented.  Pay attention to commercials, celebrities, magazine articles, ads, etc.  They show the glamorous life and are very externally absorbed.  We are conditioned to place value on how our lives appear.  To be ‘this,’ to have ‘that.’

When we emphasize how our lives look or how we have to behave, we may not notice how our lives really feel.  We can get so caught up in having our lives look right that we lose our core values and grounding.  We feel distant as if we are operating on autopilot in a fog.  This is an unmistakable sign that we must go deep within to reacquire our true essence.

Take some time to start scratching and digging below the surface.  Not only can you discover how your life truly feels, but you might also discover new ways to think about your life and your behavior.  Is there a recurring theme that has been cropping up for you? Some quiet meditative stillness may help investigate the whys.  We all have things below the surface that need to be healed, owned, or let go of.  The hard part is discovering them!

When we see ourselves responding habitually to the same pattern, we have the power to do something different. Think about handling it another way instead of taking the easy way out and doing the same thing.  What does your authentic self need you to do?  How can you better shape your behavior to align with your values?

Is there a challenge you are facing? Feel it in your body. Is it a new or old feeling?  What is it telling you?  What is it reminding you of?  How have you handled this type of thing in the past?  How well did that work? These are great questions to ponder as you excavate into your deeper self.

When we find ourselves in the same old state of despair, anxiousness, sadness, anger, whatever it is ... step back for a moment.  What was the trigger? Why do we gather it up and put it in the same box as before?  We tend to have the same feelings of frustration, hurt, shame, envy, and again, insert whatever it is over and over.  Why?  By investigating this, you might start changing your understanding and responses for the better.

Sometimes, we need a new perspective to dig deeper and find answers.  It’s ok to ditch the masks that society places on us to reveal what is deep within us.  Go somewhere high up to breathe and think more clearly—the top of a mountain, a balcony, a treehouse.  Take time to float above the rest of the world, get a new view, and tap into a higher awareness. Often, it can be as simple as finding this new viewpoint to answer those difficult questions or solve a challenging problem.

As you look deeper, be objective.  This will help avoid confusion and provide more clarity when we can see issues from all sides.  Things are not always happening to just you.  There is always more than you and your perspective at play.  We don’t live in a vacuum.  There are always hidden forces propelling others around us that we will never know about.  Try to put the emotions aside as you look for insights.  When we are too emotionally involved, it is hard to see clearly and make adequate progress on our journey of self-discovery.  With an expansive view, things can fall into place more effortlessly.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, either. Counselors, life coaches, and priests are trained to help us look deeper and discover more of our true selves. It often helps to have their objectivity and wisdom to define our path further. They can illuminate what may be hidden and help us find ways to understand, heal, let go, and have more meaning in our lives.

How can you look deeper into your true self?

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