The Benefits of Accepting Reality and Facing Denial

What happens when we finally stop fighting reality and simply accept what is? Not resignation to circumstances, but a profound spiritual opening that transforms our relationship with life itself.

Most of us carry some form of denial—parts of reality we refuse to acknowledge or accept because they feel too painful, too threatening, or too disruptive to our sense of safety and happiness. This episode explores the fascinating dynamics of acceptance and denial, revealing how our resistance to what is actually attempts to protect us, yet ultimately holds us back from experiencing the fullness of divine grace and guidance.

Through thoughtful examination, we discover that denial often serves as a psychological buffer, shielding us from disappointment, fear, and discomfort. But what happens when we gently lower these defenses? As Eckhart Tolle suggests, accepting reality doesn't mean we have to like everything that happens—it simply means we stop arguing with what is, creating space to respond from inspiration instead of knee jerk reactivities.

The spiritual paradox revealed in this exploration is profound: when we fully accept the present moment exactly as it is, we open ourselves to divine inspiration and genuine transformation. God's benevolence becomes more accessible when we're willing to see things as they truly are, not as we wish them to be. Through practices of inquiry—journaling, silent reflection, or seeking professional support—we can cultivate this acceptance and discover what's possible when we embrace life on life's terms.

Ready to deepen this practice? Sign up for the Welcoming God email list at WelcomingGod.com and receive our new ebook companion to Season 1 with reflection questions to help integrate these teachings and create the spiritual life you're truly seeking.

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Check out Eckhart Tolle's work here.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everyone, sarah here, just to let you know.
Sometimes I do use swear wordsin these episodes and we may at
times discuss adult content.
In case you happen to belistening around, little ones or
people that won't appreciatethat.
Thanks so much for listeningand let's get right into it, hi,

(00:24):
and thanks for joining me onWelcoming God, accepting what is

(00:54):
.
What makes it so hard to acceptwhat is?
Sometimes Do you struggle withthis?
I know I have definitelystruggled with this and it has
brought me face to face with myown denial about life as it is
and always wanting, wishing,hoping something could be
different.
And, interestingly enough,working with my former spiritual

(01:18):
coach really helped me processthrough this in a huge way and
helped me understand thatreality.
Although it may feel painful orchallenging or hard or
traumatic or however else it mayfeel, there is something good

(01:52):
in there.
God's benevolence is here, it'swith us, it's for us.
So how do we come to terms withwhat we are in denial about and
what's the benefit of that?
Why would I want to come toterms with what I'm in denial

(02:13):
about, with what I'm notaccepting?
What's possible when I acceptthe truth of reality as it is?
What's beneficial about that.
What could be the benefit ofaccepting the truth of reality

(02:33):
how it is as it is right now?
And then also, what is thedenial trying to do for us?
How is the denial trying tohelp us?
That is a really powerfulquestion too.

(02:54):
We're not trying to villainizethe denial or the parts of us
that are denying reality, thetruth of how things are right
now.
But what about just get curiousabout that and inquire what am
I not accepting right now aboutthis situation?

(03:17):
What could be the possiblereasons for that not wanting to
accept the truth of thesituation or reality as it is
right now?
What could be the benefits ofthat in my system?
Like, how might that be tryingto help me?
Is it to help me avoid feelingdisappointed or avoid feeling

(03:44):
scared or uncomfortable?
Is it trying to create safetyfor me?
The denial, is that trying tobenefit me in some way?
How can it be helpful to startunderstanding what this denial
is actually trying to do for youin a beneficial way?
Is actually trying to do foryou in a beneficial way?

(04:13):
And then, how is that behaviornot actually helping you?
How could denial be holding youback, be hurting you?
You know, just getting clearabout so accepting life on
life's terms, accepting what is,and does that mean that we have

(04:38):
to stay in something thatdoesn't work for us?
Well, this is how it is.
No, it just means that we'rewilling to see what's real,
what's true, right in front ofour eyes, right in front of our
faces, and we're willing toaccept that reality in the

(05:01):
moment.
It's kind of like Eckhart Tollesays and I may have mentioned
this in another episode beforethat accepting reality, that
accepting reality, it doesn'tmean we're happy about it all

(05:22):
the time.
But what does accepting realityallow us to do moving forward?
How, if we just accept whathappened in the moment, how does

(05:55):
that allow us to be open, to beinspired by this beautiful life
force, energy?
We're a part of God, higherpower source.
How does accepting just what isright now allow us to be open,
open up to inspired action fromGod, from source, the one true
source?
Eckhart Tolle didn't use thosewords per se, but that's the
basic gist of what I got when Iheard him talk about this that
acceptance is powerful.
And how does that allow us tobe inspired to take the next
right steps moving forward?

(06:18):
So I am going to leave you withthis to inquire about and again
think about what time of daywill I inquire about this?
How will I do it?
Will I journal about it?
Will I sit in silent reflectionthinking about this question or
these questions?
Will I talk to my therapistabout it?

(06:40):
Or spiritual coach?
How will I inquire about thisquestion of acceptance and
denial and what's beneficialabout acceptance, what's
beneficial about denial and howcould denial be holding me back
getting in my way?
And what does acceptance allow?

(07:01):
What does it actually allow inmy life?
How does it change things whenI accept the truth of reality as
it is right now?
What's possible next?
It is right now.
What's possible next?
And think about how many daysyou will inquire about this.
Will you do it for three days,five days, seven days, 21 days?

(07:26):
What time of day Do you needreminders?
Think about how you'll holdyourself accountable to this.
So thank you so much forjoining me today and remember to
sign up for the Welcoming Godemail list at welcominggodcom.
I have a new ebook coming outthat will bring you through the
first season of the WelcomingGod podcast and give you some

(07:48):
reflection questions to processas you listen to that first
season again, to fully integrateit and create that spiritual
life that you're really seekingand looking for.
Thanks so much for joining meand I'll see you next week for
our fourth episode and finalepisode of our second season on

(08:11):
Welcoming God.
Episode of our second season onWelcoming God.
Hey everyone, sarah Haeckel herefrom Welcoming God, a podcast
for spiritual seekers.
This is a legal disclaimer tosay that this podcast is not a
substitute for therapy orprofessional help.
I am not a trained therapist.
I also have not studiedtheology in a formal setting.

(08:35):
This podcast is purely foreducational, inspirational
purposes, to share the goodnessof welcoming God back into my
life and all of the things thatI'm learning on this journey.
So thank you for joining mehere and I look forward to
seeing you on the next episode.
Thanks for joining me onanother episode of Welcoming God

(09:09):
.
Please subscribe to thispodcast wherever you listen and
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benefit from this show.
Music by Song Channel Music.
You can listen and hear more atsongchannelmusiccom.
Until we meet again, aloha nuiloa, take care and God bless.