What is acceptance of what is?
First and foremost, noting that acceptance is a journey is imperative. And while you are invaluable and lovely, the process might feel everything but. Sometimes it is easier for us to be in denial about the real deal. Matter of factly, in certain cases, the brain suppresses certain memories that are too triggering or traumatizing to recall. Other times, the pain of letting go seems one million times worse than holding on. This, of course, is the devil we know. And if nothing else at all, accepting that we cannot fully accept where we are is a start. In other words, acceptance comes in all ways, shapes, and forms.There is no good or bad acceptance. It is what it is. Accordingly, the same concept applies to meditation.
As such, it is all about non-judgmental acceptance. Looking at life for what it really is without adding any secondary layers. Also, while embellishing the story might add flavor to the aftertaste, the effect remains the same — you might as well drink the bitter black coffee. Perhaps the effect is even enhanced. Morphine might numb the pain, yet failing to deal with the pain might breed other problems. Too much morphine, realistically speaking, is too much of a good thing. Pain is good for acceptance.
Ironically, I digress, one of the benefits of meditation is a greater tolerance for pain. As a result, this reduces the perception of pain and thus stimulates a more resilient, optimistic experience. This is likely due to the increased cortical thickness (gray and white matter) in one’s brain. Nonetheless, no pain, no gain.
Anyways, acceptance is moving forward and vice versa. We cannot expect to keep doing the same thing, but magically expect a different result. Know what you put into something (or someone!) is what you get out of it. Quite frankly, anything to the contrary is insanity.
Be different
Interestingly enough, acceptance applies to every tier, branch, lens, track, and spectrum of life — known and unknown. It doesn’t matter if this is social, economic, cultural, philosophical/artistic, etc. Eventually, you just cannot keep turning a blind eye to all the madness and injustice in the world. Mind you, turning a blind eye, while highly habitual and indignantly indoctrinated, is a choice. However, there are some things in life we don’t choose. Examples of this include race, nation of origin/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, blood type, biological parents, eye color, and genetic predisposition.
Yet, it is a decision to embrace these things. Not trying to change them. But rather embracing how they influence our character, personality, ego, spiritual development, and most important invaluable journey. You’d be shocked how embracing a situation inherently out of our control is all we need to enrich our souls. Accepting what you cannot control is the route to being in control (self-control).
Thus, it is important to understand that absolutely nothing is in vain. And while some might argue that thinking everything happens for a reason is a fallacy of some sort, it is fallacious to think life is a series of random, non-casuated events. And, even if that were the case, experts do recommend giving your life a higher, more holistic context to sustain.
After all, life can be a nihilistic as the most crippled tumble weed in the most cracked terrain in the most arid desert. In other words, you might be parched for real, significant meaning. Perhaps it is a matter of accepting that you are spiritual and not religious. Perhaps you recognize the value in stepping away from the status quo/tradition. Maybe you are beginning to see why mindfulness is significant to the power of discernment. Whatever the case might be, acceptance is a natural part of life.
There is no need to fight it! Why fight the inevitable? Why fight yourself when you can love yourself because you are the root of all that is self-acceptance? Because you are self-acceptance, acceptance is for yourself. Again, the concept applies to meditation and to a greater extent forgiveness. The time is always now to forgive yourself. It is all for your best interest.
Also, acceptance is an internal condition.
Even if you feel your external circumstances are rejecting you, you must accept that. Rejection and acceptance are like heads and tails. There is approximately a fifty percent chance for each. Nonetheless, note that human beings are very emotional creatures. Because of this, it might be difficult to get out heads and hearts aligned.
So, yes, there are countless attributes that need acceptance. Moreover, you cannot control anything outside of yourself. Yet, you can control just about everything inside. Plus, you are not trying to accept life as it is. You are acceptance.
As you can see, it is a matter of embracing who you are and meant to be. Don’t try to change it for anything else in the world. This doesn’t mean settle for less. Quite simply, it means that less is more. As such, learning how to be what we seek requires acceptance of the real world
Yes, there is a such thing as an authentic real world and a fake real world, the latter is frequently mistakened as the former. So, surrender to your life path and let your actions speak for yourself. Don’t worry about how you’ll get there. Just enjoy the process of greater love and acceptance.
However, you must accept that acceptance isn’t an overnight success After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day. As such, when you are first learning how to meditate, acceptance can seem like an impossible chore. It might seem like you are cursed to a life of looping internal negative chatter or negativity. Nevertheless, that is a web of confusion, lies, and denial. If there is anything to reject, it is the notion that one is incapable of acceptance.
Without a doubt, acceptance is the willingness to embrace a situation as it is and thus move forward in this knowing. Contrary to popular belief, the more you accept a situation, the more you can shift realities. Furthermore, the less you deny or reject the truth, blatant or otherwise, the more things flow effortlessly into your life. As a result, you experience less friction and resistance. After all, willingness is quite the mindful vibration. It is the route to neutralizing oneself and thereby climbing the vibrational ladder accordingly.
Let the Roses Wither and Dissipate
To reiterate, the rose color glasses will peel from your eyes eventually. Sooner or later. So, why not smell the roses?
In the end, acceptance is, arguably, what the world needs more than anything. This, however, does not mean we change our core values, beliefs, and ideologies on the whim. Still, it means tolerance. Moreover, we must love every facet of ourselves. Also, it should be more secret that being ourselves doesn’t really hurt anyone. Instead, what hurts everyone is the lack of acceptance and what that entails.
Imagine how much our world would transform if we set the collective intention to love what makes us different. Unique. Special. Irreplaceable in our own divine right. Above all, we must accept ourselves, others, and the world (within and around) to progress, improve, and exult the quality of our being. Growing pains are necessary to reach the heights of our potential and then some. Therefore, acceptance is as mindful as meditation gets. Acceptance is the root of global self-actualization.
That said, this is Pride Month folks!! Love is love. Having pride about who you are is not a sin but rather a blessing buried deep within — how zen?!? As you can see, acceptance is needed now more than ever. Religious feelings aside, love is the highest vibration thereof. This is needed to obtain world peace and retain an ounce of our humanity to say the least. From stardust to stardust, we come in all shapes and forms. Essentially, this is what makes us ourselves. Again, imagine how much happier we’d be if we could accept ourselves with the willingness to embody this. So, what is the acceptance of what is? Quite simply, it is the willingness to accept reality in regard to yourself, others, and the ever-changing world.
I guess Miley Cyrus is right when she sings, “Change is a thing you can count on.” Thus, being mindful of this is acceptance of once was and what will be. As such, especially if you have experienced a lack of acceptance, you are what is right with this world. Let your colors shine brighter than a diamond fresh out of the rough. In conclusion, doesn’t a rainbow come after a hurricane? Indeed, this is a promise, not a threat.
Acceptance is Gold
Yet, why must being ourselves equate to a death sentence when it is indeed an essay of wholesome, pure, divine living? Why not accept the inevitable? Why not accept that you were born to love yourself and thus be set? Finally, why must we always keep an eye on what could be the underlying reality instead?