Trusting and Mirroring Our Innate Basic Goodness

So many of us get blocked from contacting our innate basic goodness. That inner light, wisdom, buddha nature, or whatever word resonates for you. It gets lost in life's frenzy. 

Somehow, we tend to get over-identified with a "flawed self" (something's wrong with me), feel kicked out of the garden
(I don't belong), and armor up to make it through. On a good day, if we make time to come up for air long enough, we wonder how it's possible to feel empty inside, given  all our activity. ​Or feel like an imposter. 

So how do we get un-blocked and learn to truly see...?  

Here are at least three ways:

The first is presence. Be with what's happening in any moment of your experience. Notice the difference compared to what's more habitual. 

The second is to intentionally look for it, with fresh eyes. Intend to see your own innate basic goodness first, then intend to see it others. Seeing it in yourself is a prerequisite for genuinely seeing it others. Without that step, what you see in others won't be embodied because you're cut off from yourself. 

The third is to express it. Let the people you appreciate in your life know. Today. Mirror goodness, and experience the gift of it mirrored back. One of the most beautiful gifts we can offer people in our lives is to remind them of their goodness. Express and mirror how you see and appreciate their essence. 

Simple recipe, right? 

The challenge is, we're so often turned on ourselves. The antidotes to this are patience and compassion. Here's how we can get on our own side...

Start with looking where it's easiest. For example, bring to mind a child, pet, grandparent, or whoever is easy to appreciate and love. Alternatively, bring to mind times in your life when you were generous or kind. Or see yourself as a well-intended child, trying to find your way in life. Other ways are to remember your aspirations, or look at yourself through the eyes of someone who unconditionally cares for you, or as your future/highest self. 

Reflecting on this sense of basic goodness every day totally changes and frees the heart. 

​I love this practice by Tara Brach:

"Bring to mind someone that's easy to appreciate. It could be  someone no longer alive, your partner, or a mentor...Sense how qualities of goodness live through that being...patience, kindness, generosity, acceptance, wisdom, love. Really feel the appreciation for that being, and whisper "thank you", offering gratitude to the universe for shining through that being. 

Next, imagine telling them what you appreciate about them. Visualize their expression, how they might feel, and how you feel. What do you love about it? Imagine being a mirror of goodness. 

Now, turn the attention to your own being. Perhaps just the goodness of appreciating another, or things you like about yourself that are deep inside you. It could be your kindness, your loving heart, generosity...If it helps, see yourself as a child - with aliveness and curiosity. Or see yourself through someone else's eyes who loves you. What do they see? 

Next, let your attention go to into your own heart. Just feel the presence that's right here, feeling the innate goodness that lives in your heart. Sense who you would be if you moved through your day remembering this? What might your day be like?"

So we begin to practice seeing the goodness this way.  Embody it by reflecting on your deepest wish that will guide you, like a kind of prayer. Breath in and rest in the goodness that you are. Expand this image to include others...friends, family, your neighborhood, community, region, and the globe. Imagine and soak in the goodness of a world where goodness prevails. 

May our practice guide us home to our essence - true awareness, aliveness, and love.