Spiritual Bypassing

"Although most of us were sincerely trying to work on ourselves, I noticed a widespread tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks. When we are spiritually bypassing, we often use the goal of awakening or liberation to try to rise above the raw and messy side of our humanness before we have fully faced and made peace with it. We may also use our notion of absolute truth to disparage or dismiss relative human needs, feelings, psychological problems, relational difficulties, and developmental deficits."
~ John Welwood, Human Nature, Buddha Nature, Tricycle Magazine (an AMAZING article)

Guilty as charged. I think many, as we study spiritual paths in the hopes of finding peace or enlightenment, often push aside core beliefs or past pains instead of dealing with them. I believe there is something to be said for looking at your pain, your choices, your false perceptions and beliefs, and accepting them as they are before attempting to change them.

Just as with positive thinking, you cannot deny your negative thoughts or bury your head in the sand of dreams in order to manifest a better life. You must come to the core thought behind the life you currently have first! To me, accepting and loving where you are now is best way to a better life.

Or at least, that's the path I've chosen.

What are your beliefs about positive thinking and manifesting?

Do you find that forgiveness comes easier and strong feelings pass quicker when you allow yourself to feel however you choose to feel, without judgment?

Doesn't it seem like denying so called "bad" feelings or getting frustrated at yourself for feeling them only makes them last longer?

"You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection."
~ Buddha