Episode #25: Why Is It So Difficult To Love Ourselves? - a podcast by Frank Anderson MD MPH and Lisa Barry

Why Is It So Difficult To Love Ourselves?

In this episode, Frank and Lisa discuss one of the innate qualities that emerge from exploring awareness- a sense of unconditional Love. From the awareness perspective, this type of Love is not conditioned on anything, but purely exists as a quality of or inner aspect of a conscious, aware life. It is the love and presence that we can all see in babies who have not had the experiences of life that may bury that love in doubt and judgement and difficult life experiences. Past traumas, difficult childhood, poor work environments or dysfunctional relationships might make it appear that love is only given in certain circumstances, or is somehow a reward for acting in a certain way. Our innate sense of love for ourselves and others may be covered, or even smothered, by the experiences of life. Many people see themselves as loveable or not loveable by how they act, what they believe, or how they were raised.

Practicing awareness of thoughts and emotions has the potential to open up these innate qualities. Everyone has the potential no matter under what conditions you grew up in, and no matter what your brain might be telling you. It’s in the awareness of your thoughts and emotions that the inner qualities can emerge.  Love and Peace and Joy are inside us, but they are not going to fight their way to the top – but they will emerge when we take the time to rest as awareness.

Skepticism about this is also normal, but give it a try – the only thing you will lose is the very thing that may be holding you down. A guided meditation is included to provide a path for experiencing just this.

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