Choosing Openness: The Key to Uncovering My Deepest Secrets
Openness is more than a mindset—it’s the key to remembering, healing, and becoming the receptiveness I seek in my journey of self-discovery.
Hey there, dearest Lionies,
Today’s intention, Openness, was not chosen lightly. It’s a conscious decision, made not just for the sake of growth but out of necessity. I have a coaching session later, and I sense that this session could bring me closer to a buried part of myself—one that has been hidden for decades, obscured by a dense fog of shame and fear.
There’s still a large, unremembered complex of trauma that haunts me, spanning roughly two years of my childhood. I know fragments of what happened during that time, but a bigger secret remains veiled. My intuition whispers that these experiences hold the key to understanding why my younger self chose to exile themself, why shame took root so deeply, and how I ended up feeling shattered, like I was broken into thousands of pieces. I sense that this secret is also entangled with body shame—a wound that has shaped the way I relate to myself for so long.
While my coach is not my trauma therapist, she is the person who has been with me from almost the beginning of my journey—the one who knows my story better than anyone else and who I trust implicitly. I feel that with her support today, I might be able to find the hidden entrance to this secret, not in months from now, but in the coming days or weeks. But to do this, I need to approach our conversation with a spirit of openness and receptivity, attuned not only to what she is saying but also to what she is not saying—the subtle cues and insights that I can only recognize if I remain open to everything unfolding.
So, I set this intention of Openness as a way to remind myself to stay curious, present, and receptive. To be the receptiveness I seek means listening to the clues within myself, recognizing her guidance in the spaces between her words, and embracing whatever comes up—whether it’s answers or new layers of complexity.
Intention: Openness
Definition
Openness refers to the willingness and ability to embrace new experiences, ideas, perspectives, and possibilities without resistance or judgment. It involves a readiness to accept uncertainty and change while remaining connected to one’s inner self and values. Being open means lowering the barriers that prevent us from fully engaging with the world, which can lead to personal growth, deeper understanding, and authentic connections.
Buddhist Interpretation
In Buddhism, the concept closest to Openness is often associated with Sunyata (emptiness), which signifies the openness of mind and the absence of preconceptions or fixed views. Openness in this context means cultivating a flexible mindset and seeing beyond one’s biases, attachments, and mental constructs. This helps to reduce suffering by freeing oneself from rigid patterns of thought and embracing the flow of life as it is.
Inspiration to Achieve the Intention
Host a 'World Café' Session with Yourself
Inspired by the 'World Café' method, create a conversational environment where you explore diverse questions within your own mind. Begin with a question like, “What do I not know that I need to know?” or “What am I avoiding?” Allow each question to prompt a ‘table’ of discussion within your mind. This method encourages internal dialogue and challenges you to explore multiple perspectives on a single issue. It’s a way to be open not only to external viewpoints but also to the hidden aspects of your own psyche.Explore the 'Beginner’s Mind' Approach
Adopt the Shoshin (beginner's mind) attitude, where you approach situations as if experiencing them for the first time. This Japanese Zen concept encourages us to let go of preconceived notions and habitual responses, enabling a fresh, open perspective on even familiar scenarios.Experiment with Sensory Expansion
Choose one sensory modality (sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell) and dedicate a day to noticing every instance of that sense’s presence in your environment. For example, focus on sound and listen actively throughout the day—from the hum of the refrigerator to the distant sound of traffic. Noticing the details of one sense teaches you to be open to what often goes unnoticed, heightening your awareness and receptivity to subtle elements in your daily life.
Journaling Prompt
"In what areas of my life do I feel most closed or resistant, and what might it look like to bring a sense of openness to them?"
Hint: Consider where you feel tension or discomfort when new ideas or situations arise. These moments often reveal areas where openness can be nurtured further. Imagine responding with curiosity instead of closure and explore how that shift could transform your experience.
Affirmation: I Am the Receptiveness I Seek
I am the embodiment of the openness I desire. With each mindful breath, I cultivate a welcoming space within, allowing outdated thoughts and habits to transform into nourishment for new insights. I recognize that I am not separate from the receptiveness I seek, but rather the living manifestation of its potential.
In this present moment, I create a receptive environment for Mystery to initiate and sustain my understanding. My completeness is not measured by external validations, but by how authentically I remain true to my intrinsic openness, even amidst life's challenges.
I am learning to speak the language of my soul, embracing the quiet undercurrents of my being. By choosing to live a more authentic life, I honor the hidden paths that lead to my truest self. I trust in the cyclical nature of growth, allowing aspects of my life to bloom, fade, and renew without resistance.
With unwavering dedication, I move towards the connections I was meant for, remaining flexible and at ease with my natural flow. I stand fully present in this realm, offering companionship to my everyday experiences while staying loyal to my unique qualities.
I am the universe experiencing itself through my distinct perspective, deeply grateful for this opportunity to explore life through the divinity of my perceptive body. In recognizing my true nature as boundless awareness, I embrace the freedom that comes from knowing I am interconnected with all that is and ever will be.
Key Takeaway
This affirmation emphasizes that openness and receptiveness are not external qualities to be sought but intrinsic aspects of one’s nature that can be consciously cultivated and embodied. The essence of the affirmation is that by aligning with your innate openness, you transform your experiences into opportunities for growth, connection, and self-understanding.
Journaling Prompts
Reflective Question:
“What are the underlying patterns or beliefs that create barriers to feeling receptive and open within myself?”
Hint: Reflect on moments where you feel most closed off or guarded. What thoughts or beliefs arise in these situations? Consider how these might be tied to past experiences or internalized judgments. By identifying these patterns, you can start to release them and create more space for authentic openness.
Exploratory Question:
“How would my daily interactions change if I trusted my intrinsic openness and allowed my natural receptivity to guide my responses?”
Hint: Imagine a typical day where you consciously embody the quality of openness in each interaction. How do your conversations feel? Are your responses more compassionate, curious, or non-defensive? Use this imaginative exercise to pinpoint specific areas in your life where embodying openness could lead to meaningful change.
Closing Thoughts
Choosing to be open today is a leap of faith. A faith that says I am ready to see, feel, and remember more than I have been able to handle before. If you are also on this journey, know that you’re not alone in this delicate, sometimes painful unfolding. Each step we take toward openness is a step toward reclaiming our wholeness.
Until next time,
Jay
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