In Chapter7 of A New Earth, We get in to that great question, “Who am I?’ This is a question for all that want to make change. To change to something different, you must have an appreciation of who you are at this point.

My 12 step program deals with this question as one of the keys to recovery. Ironically I read this morning:

In analysis, as I have known it, you are confronted by your qualities and cannot disown them, though you may try to.
--Florida Scott Maxwell
“We aren't all in formal analysis, but the Twelve Step program does introduce us to the personal inventory. In this exercise of introspection, we come to know ourselves. We often don't like who we see, but until we have acknowledged it, we are unable to change the specifics of our behavior.
Blaming other people and the "unlucky" circumstances of our lives for all our troubles is deeply rooted in who we are. But coming to believe that accepting full responsibility for ourselves will empower us, even when we are guilty of wrongdoing, is a major step forward.
Looking squarely at ourselves and owning all of who we are may not make us proud, but it does make us honest and humble. We have to be both, first, if we ever hope to forge the qualities that will make us proud.”
“Today I will reveal qualities that I like very much. If some that I don't like surface, I won't deny them; I will correct them.”

Last night I listened to Tolle and Oprah with great interest. Chapter 7 is a very long chapter in the book, and is the essence of it.

Once again, I truly have the ability to complicate things, and must look for the simple message.

After my awakening, I did an inventory, thoroughly and fearlessly of my life. I used a guide and a “coach” to take this journey back. It was revealing. It did not tell me who I was, but did tell me about what I was based on past experiences and actions. I saw a lot of good, and of course, saw the negatives that had happened.

As Tolle suggests, I found out what had happened along the trail, and for the first time as an adult, I understood what I was about.

Most importantly, for the most part I made peace with what had happened and the key, ACCEPTED it because it is what happened.

I always try to recognize on the recovery journey that I am work in progress, not perfection. Tolle certainly gives us some real life “tests” that can be applied to measure progress, and I can honestly say that I have experienced marked improvement over the years. Perfection? Not yet. I still have some reactions to things that are a condition of my past, and pull me out of the moment.

I do see a new earth, as Tolle talks about on page 210, unfolding for me. While my real awakening occurred many years ago, it has continued over a long period, and the experiences of the moment have led me to where I am today.

I have a vision of my new earth.

To simplify, I am moulded by past experiences, both good and bad. I have had to make amends for many of the things I’ve done in the past top allow me to live comfortably in my own skin today. I feel no great remorse about the past. I have today, and truly, this moment. In this moment I am.

When I can experience conscious contact, and complete inner stillness, feeling, not seeing what is around me, I am at peace and feel hope and serenity.

Then I am. That is complicated enough.

Chapter 7 shows me the person I ma is the person who is still in the moment!

Tags: a new earth coach, addiction, addiction recovery, alcohol, keith bray, life coach, life transformation, www.biglife.ws
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