In this practice,
We are going to explore how we measure ourselves,
The impact this is having on us,
And how we can start to free ourselves from this process.
Our mind loves to compare.
It strives to understand ourselves,
Our environment,
And how we can have the best life all through the mechanism of comparison.
We see something that we want to have or want to be,
And we contrast it to our current state.
Now this can be a very useful process.
It can help us better understand and accomplish all sorts of things.
The problem is that it takes on its own life and doesn't always work to serve our best interests.
Many people find themselves feeling inadequate compared to unrealistic or unachievable ideals.
They measure themselves against the most beautiful,
Talented,
And successful people in the world,
Inevitably falling short of standards that so few could ever live up to.
So today we will explore what you actually want to measure yourself against,
And to start to release the inner judgments and standards that aren't serving you.
Start with a few deep breaths.
Letting your body expand on the inhale,
Allowing your spine to feel long,
Feeling this quality of alert presence.
On the exhale,
There's a natural release,
Feeling this quality of ease,
Letting go of whatever tension you can,
Softening your shoulders,
Softening your whole being.
Just letting everything be as it is right now.
We'll start with this question,
What do you measure yourself against?
What is the ideal image of what you aspire to be?
What are the goals or expectations that you put on yourself?
Just notice what's coming up.
Just be curious,
Where did these ideals come from?
Are they truly aligned with your core values,
With who you truly want to be on the deepest level?
Or are these pressures from society?
Are they motivated by validation or a pressure to fit in?
Some of these values may feel true and aligned,
While others may feel uncomfortable and disingenuous.
Which ones are you most measuring yourself against?
Which ones feel most deeply held for better or worse?
Just notice what impact it's having on you and your life to be measuring yourself in this way.
Is there a benefit,
And if so,
What is that benefit?
Is there a cost,
And if so,
What is that cost?
And now asking,
Is there anything that you actually want to be measuring yourself against?
Is there an ideal that would actually serve you and have a positive impact on your well-being?
What goals or ambitions feel most authentic,
Feel as though they come from within,
And don't result from pressures of the outside world?
Just notice what thoughts and feelings arise without judgment.
We're not trying to judge whatever comes up,
We're just being curious,
Trying to bring more and more into awareness.
These are not easy questions,
And the answers are often shifting.
Just bringing all of this into our conscious awareness is the first step towards freeing ourselves from this process and becoming more intentional about what values we really want to be living.
And finally,
What would it be like to not compare yourself to anything or anyone?
To throw out all the measuring sticks and live without them?
What would it be like to exist in this way?
Try to get a sense of that.
Is that prospect exciting?
Scary?
Just take a moment and feel into this.
Get a sense of what it would be like to live totally free from comparison,
From judgment,
From self-criticism.
What would that feel like?
And finally,
Coming back to the breath.
Letting go of this practice of any intention at all.
Just noticing the sensations in your body.
If there are any residual feelings left over from this practice.
In our world today,
We are bombarded with unattainable images of beauty and success at every turn.
So it can be helpful to continually check in and notice if we are measuring ourselves against unhealthy or unrealistic ideals.
This practice isn't meant to direct you in how to live,
But instead help you to see more clearly the subtle ways in which we are making things harder on ourselves,
And the possibilities of being that are available through awareness and practice.
Whatever arose for you in this practice today,
I hope it illuminated something for you.
When we first start exploring these deeply held values,
They may feel overwhelming or impossible to overcome.
For now,
Don't worry about how these things will change or how you will overcome these challenges.
Just know that bringing them into awareness already gives you more freedom.
That's it for today's practice.
Thank you.
