We’ve been told to “build a better relationship with ourselves” as if we’re two separate people. But what if that’s the very thing keeping us stuck? In this episode, I explore a profound idea from The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle: the illusion of self-improvement. Basically, when we try to “fix” or “improve” our relationship with ourselves, we unconsciously create a split—one part observing, one part being judged.
The pop psychology idea behind this is that if we have a good relationship with ourselves, (ie "I love myself") then we can have good relationships with other people.
But what if this misses the point? What if we don't need a relationship with ourselves at all? What if the only thing that this whole thing in life is really about is to just be?
There's a lot of freedom with that. Imagine -- you don’t need to negotiate with your mind. You don’t need another layer of self-help. Maybe you don't even need a ton of positive affirmations to convince your "self" that you are a good person.
You just need to be. Not "be good" or "be loving", which sends everyone back into the judging and evaluative lens. But just be.
This was one of Eckhart Tolle's main messages in his book,"The Power of Now", which I discuss.
Share this with someone who could use a different perspective on personal development. You might make their day.
#ThePowerOfNow #EckhartTolle #Mindfulness #StopOverthinking #SpiritualAwakening #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovementTrap #JustBe #LiveInTheMoment #InnerPeace
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.