Transforming Inferiority Complex into Quiet Confidence
– The Role of Mindfulness Yoga & Teacher Training to Conquer Your Inner Critic
Ever thought, “I should have my life together by now”?
At a recent trauma conference, an elderly doctor (late eighties) said, “It’s STILL a work in progress” when asked about self-confidence & inferiority complexes. I felt a mix of relief and to be honest a bit of despair.
This week, some of the topics discussed during The Mindful Mentor Program & within Trauma Care Sessions I offer here on the Sunshine Coast and live online were :
Inferiority complexes, unrealistic self-expectations & the pressure it creates.
How to balance discernment with compassion when it comes to being on the receiving end of manipulative behaviours.
How to make decisions you can trust when you have been hurt in the past.
Although these are pretty big topics to put into one post – I will share a journal entry further down that I had written when reflecting on some of these. Each of which I have struggled with too.
Authentic connections and conversations become a two way learning (or “remembering”) of our worth as human beings. Together we water the wholesome seeds (a metaphor for certain qualities of mind) that can ease the suffering.
During a one hour general Yoga Class – although these have amazing benefits – there is not always the time to process the challenges that may arise in our daily life or get clear about the next best action to take. This is where doing private Mentoring Programs, undertaking a course in Mindfulness or Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training can be beneficial.
I revisited some of my own journal notes and reflections inspired by great Teachers such as Thich Nhat Hanh about “The Inferiority Complex”
Reflection is part of Yoga & Mindfulness Inquiry & Practice. Journaling and sharing what you learn along the way can be a beautiful and beneficial process for yourself and your fellow human beings. It can be a valuable step in doing what we can to conserve our energy and care for each other. Especially given the Mental Health Statistics involving Trauma and Suicide world wide.
Journal Entry :
The Inferiority Complex
Many may suffer as they have the idea they are not successful
Many may look at others
Thinking I am not as successful as them
An envy of others arise
Causing you to suffer inside
You have your place in this world
You do not have to earn it
Yet contribute all the same
Stay free of the trap
Practice discernment
Another’s win is not your loss
When we compare ourselves to others
There’s nothing to gain but pain
You are not a failure
In this world you have your place
You do not have to earn it
This so called worldly success
That puts others in front or behind
What about the idea
I am doing my best
We can help others that may feel inferior too
Let them know the good seeds you see
In this way you nourish the same good seeds in you
Remove the layers of beliefs
That say you have failed
Look deeper there is another seed
It’s been there all along
It’s already whole
Complete
Do not withdrawal
By comparing
By keeping score
You are worthy
You have your place
You do not have to earn it
To stop and remember
You are worthy
Is how we learn it
It begins with the Art of Discernment
If you have an idea
A belief
Look deeper
Water the wholesome seed
This is the kind deed
Of removing suffering
For ourselves & Others
What a beautiful way to
“Succeed”
Namaste
Tammy
Weather you are a Yoga or Meditation Teacher , Teacher in Training, a Parent, a Leader, a Creative, CEO, Business owner or an Allied Health Professional, Support Worker, Carer, Husband, Wife, Dancer, Doctor or Nurse – no matter what roles you play – more than likely you have experienced Self Doubt! Or have experienced the torment of the inner critic and the unnecessary suffering that comes with comparing yourself to others.
Many of us may invest effort into our passions or certain roles but still feel stuck, left behind or like we make wrong decisions and make things worse. We may also feel hopeless at the amount of energy that goes into something for what feels like little or no outcome.
For instance, we often fight for changes in systems, advocate for our passions, or seek to be heard and valued—whether on behalf of loved ones or for recognition of our own efforts. This struggle can be an internal battle or a strenuous external fight, yet it can feel like nothing ever changes.
(My inner critic saying something like “I still don’t have my shit together after all this time” or “I’m pushing shit up a hill here”)
Things can and do change over time with practice, patience and perseverance and most of all with support. Choose wisely (practice discernment) when it comes to what you choose to believe. Discernment is a practice that requires time and space. Regular Meditation or Yoga practice can give us this space. Often our past experiences leave traces of past hurts, trauma or things that are unresolved. This can cloud our judgement and get in the way of clear perception or accepting things as they really are. So can all of our ideas about how life should be, including our ideas of success.
Given the statistics on suicide and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and burn out – it is worth investing in developing more understanding and skill around how we feel and what we believe to be true about ourself and life itself. It is worth getting clear on what success means to you.
There is a lot more to add to this topic and some of the other topics above – for now I will end it here:
One thing I constantly need to remind myself of – which is part of Mindfulness Practice is echoed in the Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things that I can and …
The wisdom to know the difference.
By the way – you are not alone if you find this challenging.
It’s why we practice.
Tammy Williams
(Founder of Yoga NRG & Mindfulness Training)
Yoga NRG & Mindfulness Training Australia offers Teacher Training and Yoga Classes (a variety of styles – such as Vinyasa, Flow, Yin Yoga, Chair Yoga & Special Events/Retreats on the Sunshine Coast and live online.
If you would like to enquire about The Mindful Mentor Program or Trauma Care Programs including Trauma Aware Mindfulness Meditation & Yoga Therapy contact support@yoga-nrg.com
See WHAT’S ON at Yoga NRG – here
To learn more about Mindfulness Training – click here
To learn more about Yoga Teacher Training Certification – click here
To learn more about Mindfulness Yin Yoga Teacher Training – click here
To learn more about Adapted Yoga – including Chair Yoga click here
