Episode 2: Breaking free of your self-limiting beliefs

In this week’s episode we explore self-limiting beliefs. How do we develop them? How do we overcome them? I take inspiration from Shaolin Monk Master Shi Heng Yi … check out his TED talk “5 hindrances to self-mastery” https://youtu.be/4-079YIasck.

There are two beautiful take-aways from his message:

1. Each and every one of us is unique and has something new to offer the world around us; and
2. If you really want to live your purpose and your meaning you have to go on journey of self-mastery.

Self-mastery is the number one thing I desire more than anything else in this life and I encourage anyone with a social conscience, with a desire to contribute, to add meaning and purpose to their lives to contemplate stepping up onto their own pathway of self-mastery as well.

See below for a quick breakdown of Master Shi Heng Yi’s 5 hindrances to self-mastery [and his recommendations on how to overcome them] :-

Hindrances

1. The temptation of sensual desire – which can arise from seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or feeling. When we lose ourselves to our senses they own us and may stop us from finding inner clarity;
2. Ill will or when we reject a person, situation or object. Whatever you don’t like won’t make ‘self-mastery’ a pleasant journey, but unless you learn to let go of discomfort it can prevent you from getting where you need to get;
3. Dullness or depression can prevent you from finding motivation and ‘imprison’ you within the confine’s of your mind preventing you from achieving self-mastery;
4. Being restless, also known as the “Monkey Mind” when you are unable to be in the present and instead you find your thoughts jumping from worry to anxiety, to future to past; and
5. Skeptical doubt also referred to as indecisiveness. This might be a lack of confidence in yourself or when your mind is unable to synchronise with your actions anymore and you lose sight of and become disconnected with your goals and aspirations.

Method for removing hindrances

Master Yi suggests recognising the state of mind that you are in, learning to accept it as it is, if it is triggered by a situation or person, accept how they are and then investigate your own emotional state: “why did this come up? What is the consequence if I remain in that state?”

Let go of your attachment to your states. He recommends the mantra “I am not the body, I am not the mind, I am not my emotion” these are just three aspects about me that I can see.

—- as a bit of extra encouragement I would like to leave you with his inspiring words “all of our lives are too unique to copy the past from someone else”.

I share my own struggles with my self-limiting beliefs around gender and intimate relationships, how Coldplay’s “Paradise”https://youtu.be/1G4isv_Fylg had me balling tears this week and how expressing my feelings through written word helped me find clarity and see my limitations for what they were.