Finding Depth: Uncovering the Inner Space Beyond Length and Width
We often think we need to seek depth outside ourselves, but what if it’s something to recognize and nurture from within? | Intention: Contentment | Affirmation: "I Am the Depth I Seek."
Hey there, dearest Lionies,
How often do we find ourselves trying to fix, improve, or change who we are, thinking that true contentment lies just one step away? It’s almost like chasing a mirage—we move closer and closer, only to realize it still eludes us. I’ve walked this path many times, feeling incomplete, believing I needed to be more: more capable, more compassionate, more everything. Yet, there’s a simple, yet profound truth I’m starting to embrace: What if contentment isn’t about fixing or achieving, but about recognizing the depth that’s already within us?
This idea isn’t just a lofty concept. It’s become a lifeline, grounding me in moments when old traumas resurface or the relentless need for self-improvement comes knocking. One passage from Jon Kabat-Zinn’s body scan meditation has especially stayed with me: “Recognizing that you are whole and complete right now, just as you are in this moment… our limitations and our sorrows, our losses and our hurts, are not confining or defining of our intrinsic beauty, worthiness, or interconnectedness.” Every time I return to this idea, it feels like a deep sigh of relief, an invitation to stop striving and simply be.
When I began practicing daily intentions and affirmations in June 2024, I didn’t realize just how transformative it would be. These practices, inspired by a special session with
, have become a way of reclaiming the parts of myself I thought were beyond repair. Today’s intention, Contentment, and affirmation, “I Am the Depth I Seek,” resonate deeply because they offer a fresh lens to see myself—not as someone fractured by trauma, but as someone who can hold it all, just like the vast ocean holds both stormy and calm waters.
This is the third exploration after the first two installments of finding Length and Width within. If you missed those posts, I encourage you to catch up with the earlier reflections on these foundational dimensions of self-awareness and growth, influenced by Alexander Technique:
Together, these three dimensions—Length, Width, and Depth—have provided a more embodied understanding of my journey. They invite me to acknowledge my space in the world: stretching into my full length, expanding my width to embrace experiences, and now, diving into the depth that is already within me.
Contentment, for me, isn’t a static state but a dynamic, compassionate relationship with myself. It’s recognizing that I don’t need to fix every scar, every perceived flaw, to be worthy. Instead, contentment is about honoring where I am now, gently whispering, “This is enough.” This doesn’t mean denying my desire for growth or change, but rather holding those desires within a framework of already being whole. As Jon Kabat-Zinn so masterfully conveys, our intrinsic wholeness and beauty are not contingent on overcoming every challenge. They exist alongside and through those challenges.
Each day, I remind myself: I am not separate from the depth I desire; it lives within me. Let’s explore this further.
Intention: Contentment
Contentment is the state of experiencing satisfaction and peace with what is present, free from the need to change, acquire, or strive for more. It involves embracing each moment with a sense of completeness, where the mind and heart remain at ease, regardless of external circumstances. Contentment is not about complacency, but rather about finding joy and fulfillment in the simplicity of being.
In Buddhism, contentment is often associated with the concept of Santutthi, which translates to the satisfaction of having just enough. Santutthi is a virtue described in the Itivuttaka (a Pali text), emphasizing the importance of being content with little and letting go of cravings or desires that cause suffering. It is considered a fundamental aspect of the Eightfold Path and the practice of Renunciation (Nekkhamma), encouraging practitioners to find peace by letting go of attachment to material or sensory pleasures.
Inspirations on How to Achieve Contentment:
Cultivate a "Less is More" Mindset
Explore minimalism or voluntary simplicity by reducing possessions, commitments, or even thoughts. This practice helps shift the focus from acquisition to appreciation, revealing the inherent value of the less obvious joys in life.Engage in Gratitude Practices Specifically for Challenges
Instead of only expressing gratitude for positive experiences, identify areas where you face difficulties and consciously find something to appreciate about those situations. This reorientation can deepen the sense of contentment by accepting and honoring the present moment, even in its complexity.Shift Attention to Moments of Stillness
Seek opportunities to immerse yourself in the silence and stillness of nature or through contemplative activities, like gazing at the sky or listening to rain. These moments of non-doing can create a sense of expansive contentment that transcends productivity or purpose.
Systemic Question: Exploration
What underlying needs or desires does contentment fulfill for you, and how could you honor them more consciously in your daily life?
Hint:
Consider what contentment offers beyond the surface-level experience—such as a sense of emotional safety, self-acceptance, or freedom from comparison. Reflect on past instances when you felt content and identify the conditions or mindsets that enabled it.
Affirmation: I Am the Depth I Seek
I am the embodiment of the depth I yearn for. With each mindful breath, I nurture the fertile ground of my inner world, allowing outdated beliefs and habits to transform into nourishment for new insights. I recognize that I am not separate from the depth I desire, but rather the living manifestation of its potential.
In this present moment, I create a welcoming space for the Mystery to initiate and sustain my sense of depth. My completeness is not measured by external validations, but by how authentically I remain true to my intrinsic wholeness, 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 within the conventional world, 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 profound understanding 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:
The affirmation celebrates the unity between one's yearning for depth and the inner capacity to embody that depth, suggesting that fulfillment and wisdom are not sought externally but arise from embracing one's intrinsic wholeness.
"I am not separate from the depth I desire, but rather the living manifestation of its potential."
Systemic Questions:
Reflective Question:
In what ways do you already embody the qualities or depth that you seek?
Hint: Think about moments where your actions, thoughts, or presence reflected a profound connection to your inner values or truths.
Exploratory Question:
What would it look like to nurture this sense of depth in your day-to-day life without striving or forcing it to happen?
Hint: Consider small shifts or practices that invite a deeper engagement with your surroundings or inner experiences—maybe through silence, creativity, or simply being present.
As I read these words again, I’m reminded of the power of simply being. So much of our suffering comes from the belief that we’re not enough, that we need to add, improve, or fix something to be whole. But as Kabat-Zinn describes, our intrinsic worthiness and beauty are not diminished by our challenges. Instead, they’re revealed through the very act of embracing those challenges with open-hearted presence.
This perspective has brought me closer to understanding that contentment isn’t an end state; it’s a way of being—of leaning into my experiences with curiosity rather than judgment. It’s acknowledging that I am the depth I seek, and in doing so, finding contentment in the present moment, as it is.
With love and courage,
Jay 💛
Hashtags
#Contentment #Depth #SelfReflection #DailyAffirmations #InnerPeace #PersonalGrowth #BuddhistPhilosophy #Mindfulness #AuthenticLiving #HealingJourney #alexandertechnique
❤️ If you find this piece meaningful, consider clicking the heart at the top or bottom of the post. It helps others discover this newsletter and brightens my day.
Support My Work: Subscribe and Contribute
If you’ve enjoyed my reflections and want to support my work, you can subscribe to The Wild Lionesses Pride* here. Your subscription helps keep this ad-free, reader-supported publication going and ensures my content remains accessible to everyone.
If this reading resonates with you, great! And if not, no worries. Take whatever may be helpful and leave the rest.
I currently paywall my work because I believe in sharing my work widely. But you will get full access to archives and some of my secret recipes I usually do not share with anybody. If a monthly or annual subscription isn’t feasible for you right now, you can also show your support with a one-time tip via my Tip Jar here.
Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of this journey!
The Wild Lion*esses Pride is a reader-supported publication, free from ads or algorithms.