INNER WORK
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work is an awakening of our consciousness , for it is only through that awareness that we reconnect to our genuine selves .
Through this reconnection , inner work is a process by which we shift our thoughts and intentions and thus take agency of our healing . This healing involves releasing what does not belong ( the program I have inherited and been imbued with ) and receiving what is returned ( my own internal wisdom , connection to self / other ).
A Westernized definition of inner work is largely connected to privilege . Specifically , if inner work is defined as something to “ go do ” it is then reserved for those who can afford and / or have access to retreats / workshops ( The Inner Activist , 2018 ). This singular definition of inner work disregards the countless cultural and historical nuances of how inner work can be approached . If we reclaim the definition of inner work as one that celebrates pathways of mind , body , and spirit ( such as art , poetry , nature ); connects us back to ancestral heritage and wholeness ; and disrupts individual and societal oppression ( particularly when each
“... inner work is a process by which we shift our thoughts and intentions and thus take agency of our healing .” person connects with inner work in a way that is meaningful and relevant to them ), then inner work is accessible and relevant to all .
Relevance of Inner Work Today
“ The world is forced into a quietness that should have happened long ago , every day , all the time . A quietness of retreating into the knowledge of , and the acquaintance with , the mind , the heart .” - C . Joybell C .
Our brains are like computer hardware , while the messaging we receive from our world , starting in utero , is the software we are downloading every day . When the software we download is misaligned with the authentic self , we feel that discord , but the reticular activating system in our brain overrides that disconnect , telling us we need to accept this downloaded program to keep us safe . Some of our brain ’ s old programs were once essential for safety , but when the original threat is no longer present , we must identify the outdated program and upgrade our brain ’ s operating system . Inner work allows for this reacclimation .
Why are these upgrades essential ? The research of Dr . Joe Dispenza ( 2012 ) demonstrates that our thoughts and energy are creating our reality in every moment . Studies show the majority of us think 95 % of the same thoughts every day , a result of our downloading information , thus creating the same reality over and
Page 10 Fall 2020 CSEE Connections