My Journey to Conscious Leadership: Reflections from a Fear Expert
Hello everyone! Recently, I had the privilege of participating in an interview that allowed me to explore and share my life's work and lessons. Today, I am thrilled to share these insights with you.
Recognizing Our Greatness
In this insightful conversation, I found myself emphasizing the inherent capacity for greatness that lies within us all. Despite the chaos we've created, we have to remember that we are the architects of our own world.
I firmly believe that nobody wakes up with the intention of making someone's life miserable. Our unkind actions stem more from ignorance rather than malice. This realization has shaped my focus on raising consciousness and understanding. I'm starting with myself.
We Are Works of Art
As we expand our consciousness and perceive the bigger picture, a sense of hope emerges. I truly believe that each one of us is a piece of art and our lives a masterpiece in their own right. This realization is both mind-blowing and tragic, as many of us fail to appreciate our worth. I often find comfort and guidance in a quote from Rumi: "You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop."
From Agricultural Engineer to Fear Expert
My journey began as a tropical agricultural engineer specializing in erosion control. I quickly noticed the short-sighted decisions that often trumped considerations for long-term sustainability. This observation sparked my interest in understanding human decision-making. Specifically the shadowy side that is driven by fear.
As I deepened my understanding of fear and its manifestations, I became more compassionate, a trait that many have found trustworthy. This empathy allows me to create a safe space for exploring hidden aspects of our personalities, where shame can dissolve and individuals can access their innate greatness.
The Trappings of Being Right
The COVID-19 crisis has, interestingly, highlighted our collective obsession with being right and our aversion to being wrong. In this unprecedented global situation, where no one has the answers, it seems we have opened up a platform for more genuine dialogue—less self-righteousness, more vulnerability, empathy, and patience to listen to each other's stories.
One approach I advocate for is the idea that everyone could be right, and no one should be blamed. This perspective helps to dismantle the blaming and shaming culture and encourages us to confront our shortcomings or "matrix moments."
Waking Up to Our True Selves
To make conscious choices, we need to confront the truth of ourselves—our virtues and our flaws. When we are ready to face these realities, the course of our lives can change drastically. I refer to this process as "yodTum”— standing for “your own door to unique manifestation". Yodtum is a kind of initiation that reveals our blind spots and leads us to a more genuine, innate sense of integrity.
Understanding and Loving Ourselves
I have found that the magic lies in understanding ourselves so profoundly that we are no longer afraid of our own shortcomings. Once we can appreciate ourselves for who we truly are, we start to love ourselves and appreciate the quest that our lives represent.
The journey towards self-understanding and consciousness is not an easy one, but it's one that brings out the best in us, revealing the greatness that we often overlook within ourselves. As we learn to appreciate our roles in the world, we come to realize that the mess we've created is also a testament to the change we can instigate.
In my own words, "Our life is a piece of Art." I encourage all of us to cherish it and continue striving for greater consciousness and benevolence.
Read more from Andrea Henning below.
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