Late Night Chat with Margi Connor & Peter Goodman: Shame, March 16, 2023, on Baba Zoom

Late night chat centered around our Beloved. A sharing of hearts led by Margi Connor and Peter Goodman.

Jai Baba all!

I wanted to start with these two quotes from Baba to set the stage for this topic.

"There is no creature which is not destined for the supreme goal, as there is no river which is not winding its way towards the sea."

"Why worry? I love you as you are."

I wanted to start off with these quotes because I believe so much shame in us comes when we forget these two truths. Baba loves us for exactly who we are, all of imperfections and shortcomings included.

Shame is a very strange emotion that bubbles up in a spiritual life. In some ways, it can subtly guide you if you don't attach to it, but can also cripple you entirely. I feel many of us can get stuck on the idea of "doing what is right" or "doing what we should" rather than what our hearts are longing for. Many times what the heart craves is not what is "right" or the norm. Has following your heart ever led you astray? Have you done something that felt like the "bad" thing to do, but ended up working out for your Divine benefit?

We often attribute the voice of our inner critic to Baba, which can cause us to forget that He loves us conditionally. It is very hard for the mind to accept Him as both-all accepting, but also that fatherly voice pushing us to do better. I know for myself, I swing on the pendulum of Baba loves me so much and Baba must be so disappointed in me. Is this something you have had a similar struggle with? Is it possible that He does play both roles, but perfectly? After all He is everything, so isn't that disappointment an aspect of Him? Or do you think that perhaps the disappointment is a complete facet of the mind?

I love these two quotes because they really do take the power away from that voice of criticism. As lovers of Baba, we often feel a longing and pressure to do everything we can to be close to Him. This is wonderful, but when we inevitably fumble we can be so hard on ourselves, forgetting that even that is His Divine wish. The first quote in particular is so helpful because sometimes I find myself thinking about how badly I've screwed up and now I won't ever get to Him. It is a beautiful reminder that the perfection we seek is waiting for us, just in His timing and Grace.

How do you manage the difficult balance of always doing your best, but not letting shame and criticism run your inner world? Is it possible to do your best and it not be what we think is "right", but rather what He has planned?

I can't wait to hear all your experiences.

In His Love,

Margi and Peter

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