Taming the inner critic

Ram Dass - the psychologist and psychedelic researcher turned spiritual teacher - tells a beautiful story about walking in the woods.

It goes something like this:

When we walk in the woods we see trees and plants twisted this way and that. And we think, oh yes, here is a branch that has twisted itself in this funny way to get up to the sun. See here, this tree has shed all its lower branches to make way for a thick canopy of leaves at the top of the forest. Or, ah, here is a branch that just recently cracked and fell in a heavy wind. And there is a log that is decaying in the elements from some storm or disease and is now home to mushrooms and insects and maybe is a nice hiding place for an animal.

Then we get with humans - ourselves and others - and we think: How dare she be so selfish and treat me this way. How terrible that he got so angry. They should really know better than to behave that way. I must hide this shameful feeling or thing I did, because no one can possibly understand.

We don’t judge the forest for adapting to the trials and tribulations of weather, disease, habitat and circumstance.

But it is so easy to serve up harsh judgements to ourselves and to others.

When I first heard this story, I felt a surge of alertness, interest.

I needed to be reminded that - already within me - is the capacity to meet the world with kind curiosity.

Our brains do have a strong tendency to find fault & problems - it's true.

But we also have the wiring to bring a gentle and appreciative attention to life.

This week, let's experiment together, what it would be like to greet the world (and ourselves!) with more kind curiosity and less judgement.

I don't propose we sit idly by when bad things happen.

But when a judgement arises - let's pause. Observe with kind curiosity.

What need is unmet - a root or branch reaching out for water or light?

What harsh conditions are being kept a bay?

What momentum or habit is unfolding before us?

Let me know how this goes for you, and I'll share my experiences as well.

xoxo,

Marijke Ocean

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