Transformation Begins with Self-Awareness

“We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.” ~ Carl Jung

As I sat with this month’s theme, Centered in Change, I found myself unsure of what to write. Change is always happening; it’s one of life’s constants. Sometimes we can guide it, and other times, we simply cannot.

I considered just sitting with the energy of change rather than writing about it. I felt I had nothing new or meaningful to say, and resolved to continue observing the theme quietly with our yoga community. But as I sat with what turned out to be resistance, I realized these thoughts were rooted in ego, once again circling back to convince me that I am not enough. Knowing that resistance often appears in the midst of growth, I turned to some of my favorite philosophers and thought leaders for insight and inspiration.

As I revisited the words of Nelson Mandela, Confucius, Socrates, and others, I found myself resonating most with Carl Jung. I often return to Jung when I want to better understand how the mind works; how it supports growth and also how it can sabotage that growth in the name of safety.

Jung believed that transformation begins with self-awareness, and that change comes from acknowledging and integrating the parts of ourselves we tend to resist, dislike, or ignore. These parts are often the catalysts for meaningful change, yet we rarely treat them that way. Instead, we meet them with shame, impatience, or frustration, believing they are obstacles rather than parts of ourselves that deserve love and attention.

As we try to push away the parts of ourselves we don’t fully understand or accept, we often give them more power without realizing it. We see these aspects of ourselves reflected in others; we are called to engage with it. We make judgments based on what we see and try to inspire or encourage change in others without first having made peace with those same aspects in ourselves.

True change begins with letting go of resistance.

It means doing the work with love, patience, and self-acceptance. And not just for ourselves, but also for those around us. When we stop hiding from ourselves, we begin to understand who we really are. We learn to work with the mind, to stay connected to the body, and to allow emotions to flow freely. And while we cannot control the waves of change, we can choose to adjust the sails.

As I put this in practice, my daily affirmation is:

I love every part of myself, and every part of myself deserves to be loved and acknowledged as I grow.

If you find yourself meeting resistance on your path of transformation or self-realization, try using this affirmation—or create something that deeply resonates with you. Say it aloud, or silently to yourself. Breathe and feel into the words.

When we know and love ourselves fully, we return to the truth of who we are, and from that place, life positively transforms.

With love and gratitude,
Dana Andrea