Acceptance is underrated

Without a doubt, the most profound lesson I've gained over my years, or perhaps we all gain over the years, is acceptance. Personally, it was ignited with my reading of "The Power of Now" in 2012 and has since been daily reinforced through my practice of Vipassana meditation.

The lesson is simple. When feelings of discomfort, anger, sadness, fear, and other emotions arise - accept - whatever it is, accept. Because the opposite is conflict, conflict with our feelings, conflict with what we have no control over, conflict that has no benefit and results only in more conflict.

But what's even more beautiful and under-appreciated, is that just as inner acceptance brings us greater peace, it also benefits our outer interactions. Personal acceptance allows us to have greater acceptance and patience towards the discomfort others bring, their anger, fears, jealousy and pain.

The inner and the outer are one and the same. Inner compassion becomes outer compassion.

Of course, I'm no buddha, it's continual lifelong work (the Buddhists would say many lives' work). And even when I feel progress is lacking, or there seems to be backtracking, in that moment there is still the opportunity as always to accept what is, to be present, to integrate, to learn, to understand and to have compassion. It's simple and yet the most valuable thing we can do for ourselves and others.

Wishing more moments of acceptance for us all,

Naser