Question:
I have studied numerous spirituality and all sorts of self help across the board. My number one thing I still struggle with is insecurity and confidence. On a spiritual standpoint; I believe confidence comes from believing in yourself- knowing, that your capable of doing things..but in order to believe in oneself you need experience to have the belief???? I get torn because I take chances, step out of my comfort zone and do things to push myself; but then become reliant on those "things" for my confidence that isn’t right is it? My question is based on your teachings and on a spirituality level how do I find true confidence in myself without relying on "external events" to drive my confidence? I know how I think about myself is only a thought and isn’t real; is there something I can do besides meditation, journaling, affirmations, that I do on a regular basis? I’m not going to give up, and I know that’s a huge part of it!
Answer:
The most important factor in genuine or spiritual self-confidence is the Self. If self-confidence is only based on changing circumstances and abilities that led to accomplishments, then when those things change, as they inevitably will, so will your sense of self-confidence. That is the problem, which you noted above, when you become reliant on those external events for your confidence.
The true foundation of self-confidence comes through knowledge and experience of your true Self through meditation. From there, adding affirmations, journaling and stretching beyond your comfort zone are all useful adjuncts. So I don’t think you need to add anything new to your list, but give your top priority to meditation and then be patient and persistent in your progress toward self-confidence.
Love,
Deepak
dear deepak,
thanks for this fabulous explanation. we try to extract confidence from surrounding and that crashes down when the surroundings change, if we gather the confidence from our very own soul, it will be permanent… thanks a lot.
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha
Yes, true self is the self confidence, once we are our true self, we become everything and everything becomes us, that's self confidence, the all and none, all in one and one is all, the finite and infinite becomes one, we become the nature itself, the happiness. Meditation is the path to find the true self.
Love
Rajesh
http://rajeshmsharma.blogspot.com
Beautifully written explanation! I myself will now move meditation to the top priority of my day, 1st thing.
Also, I feel that your realization — that those "things" you have relied on are not right — itself shows that you have the seeds within yourself, and that being "patient and peristent in your progress" will pay off, as you are already further along the way than you might realize!
I find I have hold back at times. My confidence may swamp that of another.
We should also be nurturing the self worth of our brothers and sisters. There's far too much emphasis on our 'separate' self. WE know that is an illusion!
Love,
ed
Hi, I understand perfectly what you are going through, and I can say that not long ago I was in somewhat the same point you are. My biggest advise, and agreeing with Mr Chopra, is that self confidence does come from the SELF, sometimes we try to feel good about ourselves by doing what people, society, culture tells us we have to do to be happy. Or even more we have our ego who tells us what we should think, do, act, what ever… to feel happy and confident (the internal critic!). What I understand from Chopra's respond and I feel and do it myself, is that when we meditate or when we realize that our true value comes from the self, not from what we do, think or act (all ego based), we find that strength and that self confidence that we look for, our relationships change, the way we encounter situations and people totally change, just like that, so yes meditate it helps a lot and what really helped me was stopping judging myself
, just BE!!!
Love,
Alex
Peace, Harmony, Laughter and Love are the essence of your true self.
Meditation is the easiest way for me to experience the vastness of this
wonderful, unbounded, blissful state of being. I have been meditating
twice daily for over five years, (not a crisis meditator anymore)
and my whole physiology has changed. When learning Deepak's
technique in September 2008, this process of Peace, Joy, Bliss,
Intention and Desires accelerated beyond my imagination.
I look forward to spending time with my self. Dive into the vastness
of your spirit-what a great place to be! You'll never know what
you will find – it's like deep sea diving or snorkling.
The journaling, affirmations are routes to the spirit – but through
meditation we align to our essence of pure potentiality
while increasing self-confidence.
yogindeborah
http://www.deborahshemesh.com
"When you become reliant on those external events for your confidence" — says it all for me and included in this writing is the simple action to take — meditation.Dr. Chopra is always succinct, respectful and kind — I am so blessed to have this access to his life/journey-affirming words. In love, peace and joyful gratitude…Jeannie