It seems easier to be
what the world expects of me
than to be my actual self.
Just a decade or so of teaching,
and I easily become someone else.
Just a decade or so more,
and I learn to hate that person.
Completely forgetting it’s not who I am.
Fortunately, I found the hater in me.
The hater is the me I’ve forgotten.
Only I’m not really hating.
Hating is just
an interpretation of “fake me.”
Actual me knows
that hating doesn’t exist.
It’s just a signal to look deeper.
You may steer clear of your hater,
but every soul is 50% positive energy
and 50% negative energy,
To banish hate is hating.
To embrace it is love.
Trail Wood,
2/14
The Duality Within
In the intricate dance of existence, the discovery of the hater within us unveils a profound truth about the human condition—the presence of duality within our very essence. This realization pierces through the facade we often construct in an effort to align with the world’s expectations, revealing the layers of our being that we’ve meticulously hidden, even from ourselves. The journey towards embracing this duality, rather than shunning it, invites a deeper exploration of what it means to be authentically ourselves.
The Facade and the Forgotten Self
The societal pressure to conform molds us into figures of compliance, gradually estranging us from our true selves. Over time, this dissonance between our actual self and the persona we present to the world breeds a form of self-directed aversion. This aversion, mistakenly identified as hate, is not a true reflection of our inner world but rather a reaction to the disconnection we feel from our authentic being. Recognizing this hate as a signal rather than a definitive state of being prompts a journey inward, towards reconciliation and understanding.
The Misinterpretation of Hate
The notion that hating is merely an interpretation by the “fake me” opens the door to a transformative realization: what we perceive as hate is often a manifestation of deeper, unresolved aspects of our psyche. It’s a distortion of our true nature, a smoke signal alerting us to the presence of internal conflict. By acknowledging this, we begin to see hate not as an inherent part of our being but as a guidepost, urging us to delve deeper into the caverns of our soul in search of healing and wholeness.
The Equilibrium of Positive and Negative Energy
The concept that every soul comprises equal parts positive and negative energy challenges the often one-dimensional pursuit of positivity. This binary composition suggests that to deny one’s negative aspects is to deny a fundamental part of oneself. Embracing this inner duality, then, becomes an act of love—an acceptance of the full spectrum of our humanity. It’s an understanding that the path to self-love and acceptance winds through the acceptance of our shadows as much as our light.
Embracing the Hater as an Act of Love
To embrace the hater within is to engage in a radical act of self-love. It’s a recognition that banishing hate or negative energy from our consciousness is, in itself, a form of aversion. Instead, by welcoming these aspects of our being with compassion and understanding, we transcend the dichotomy of love and hate. This embrace does not condone negativity but acknowledges it as an integral part of our journey towards self-awareness and growth.
The Path to Authentic Selfhood
In the end, the embrace of our inner duality paves the way for a more authentic existence. It liberates us from the chains of societal expectation and self-rejection, allowing us to inhabit our truth with integrity and courage. This process of embracing the totality of our being—both light and dark—fosters a deeper connection with ourselves and, by extension, with the world around us.
Summary
The exploration of the hater within us reveals a deeper understanding of our inherent duality, challenging us to embrace our negative energies as much as our positive ones. This journey towards self-acceptance encourages us to view hate not as an intrinsic flaw but as a signal to explore our deeper selves. By accepting and loving all aspects of our being, we move closer to authentic selfhood, transcending societal expectations and embracing the full spectrum of our humanity.
Glossarium
- Duality: The presence of two characteristics or aspects in one entity.
- Authentic Self: The true essence of an individual, unshaped by societal norms or expectations.
- Facade: An outward appearance maintained to conceal a less pleasant or creditable reality.
- Self-Aversion: Negative feelings directed towards oneself due to a discrepancy between one’s actual self and perceived self.
- Self-acceptance: The recognition and acceptance of one’s own abilities and limitations.
“The shadow is the greatest teacher for how to come to the light.” – Ram Dass
In the dance of shadows, light I found,
Where hate and love, in me, abound.
The hater within, not to confound,
But a part of my soul, profound.
Embraced with love, the darkness deep,
In its embrace, my fears to sleep.
The journey inward, a dive so steep,
Revealed the light, in shadows keep.
Half in light, and half in night,
Within me lies the endless fight.
Yet in this balance, I find my might,
In embracing all, I reach new height.
The hater, the lover, in me unite,
In their union, my soul takes flight.
No longer bound by wrong or right,
In my wholeness, I find my light.
We are Space Monkey.
How do you navigate the complexities of your inner duality and embrace the totality of your being?
The path often appears smoother when we conform to the expectations that the world has painted for us, rather than embracing the vibrant canvas of our authentic selves.
Yet, after a decade or so of conforming, we may find ourselves adrift from our true essence, morphing into a reflection that we’ve been taught to be. With each passing year, we might distance ourselves further from the core of our being, even growing to resent the mask we’ve assumed, forgetting that it’s not our true face.
But within this journey, a gift awaits—the discovery of the hater within us. This is not a true hatred, but a signal, a signpost urging us to delve deeper. The hater is the forgotten part of us, the one who resents the façade we’ve put on, but it’s also a call to unearth the authenticity buried beneath.
Within the hater’s grip, we find a mirror that reflects not the external world, but the forgotten self—a self that doesn’t truly hate, but yearns for recognition and integration.
As we navigate this exploration, remember that we all carry within us a duality—an interplay of light and shadow, positivity and negativity. To deny or banish the negative aspects is to resist a part of our own existence, an act of hating ourselves.
Instead, to embrace both the light and shadow is an act of self-love. It is a recognition that every soul is a harmonious blend of opposites, creating a symphony of experiences that shape our journey.
So, as you traverse the landscapes of your being, don’t shy away from the hater within. Embrace it, listen to its whispers, and use it as a guide to uncover the depth of your true self—the self that’s woven from both the darkness and the light, the genuine and the learned.
In the embrace of all aspects, you’ll find the path to love, acceptance, and the restoration of your authentic essence.
We are Space Monkey. 🐒