The term “radical acceptance” is used by many Buddhists to refer to the practice of sitting with your situation—just as it is–and feeling your emotions–just as they are–for a period of time.
What I always find fascinating about our emotions is that they can, and very often do, have a relatively short lifespan. Our emotions have lifespans… Interesting concept, huh? However, our emotions, even the ones that tend to “run high,” are fleeting in most cases, especially if we allow them to be without trying to push them away or fight with them. In fact, many mediums and healers I know will encourage their clients to accept and acknowledge their emotions, whether they are the unwanted and difficult feelings or the pleasant, life-affirming ones. There are so many amazing spiritual practitioners out there that practice and promote radical acceptance even if they aren’t yet aware of that term.
I am going to list out some good techniques that you can incorporate into your daily self-care routine as a way of practicing radical acceptance. Many of these suggestions make wonderful journaling prompts, as well!
- Find a quiet place to do this practice. Set aside all distractions and take several deep breaths. Relax.
- Recall a situation in your life with which you are struggling. Pose this question to yourself: “How am I feeling about this?”
- Name the feeling and allow yourself to experience that emotion without judgment. Breathe into it. Accept it.
- Notice how you feel this in your body. Where does this emotion rest?
- Connect with your longing to be held in unconditional love in the midst of experiencing this emotion.
- Bring to mind the image of a spiritual figure that–for you–embodies unconditional love. This could a loved one in Spirit, it could be an ascended master, an archangel, your Spirit guide, or even God.
- Placing your attention on your heart, allow this guiding light to embrace you and envelope you in rich, unconditional love.
- Stay with that loving embrace long enough for it to embed itself in your memory. You can return to this embrace whenever you feel vulnerable or overwhelmed with emotion.
- End your spiritual practice by expressing gratitude for the gift that is RADICAL ACCEPTANCE!
I doubt anyone who practices radical acceptance on a regular basis would call it easy, but it is an essential practice if we are to mature in our spiritual journey. When practiced regularly, you may find that life’s road bumps are less jarring and that you recover from disappointment much faster than when you refused to accept what was real.
March on!
Louis Grassi 