Radical Acceptance

And we must strive tirelessly—working, acquiring, consuming, achieving, e-mailing, overcommitting and rushing—in a never-ending quest to prove ourselves once and for all.

Living in the future creates the illusion that we are managing our life and steels us against personal failure.

Seeing what is true, we hold what is seen with kindness.

the unfaced and unfelt parts of our psyche are the source of all neurosis and suffering.

This means accepting our human existence and all of life as it is. Imperfection is not our personal problem—it is a natural part of existing.

As you go through your day, pause occasionally to ask yourself, “This moment, do I accept myself just as I am?” Without judging yourself, simply become aware of how you are relating to your body, emotions, thoughts and behaviors. As the trance of unworthiness becomes conscious, it begins to lose its power over our lives.

the world is divided into people who think they are right.

The two parts of genuine acceptance—seeing clearly and holding our experience with compassion—are as interdependent as the two wings of a great bird. Together, they enable us to fly and be free.

I felt the inner freedom that comes from agreeing unconditionally to life.