The Inner Justice System
“The basic thing is to love yourself so totally that the love overflows you and reaches others”, OSHO.
1. Is life generally ‘just’ or ‘unjust’ to you?
2. If you could change how you relate to ‘injustice’, could you be happier?
Many of us tend to think of, ‘justice’, or ‘injustice’, as something that is external to us, that only happens outside of ourselves: in the street, in the workplace, at home, within partners or siblings, in the news, on TV or in social media. I believe that the true balance of justice, however, lies within us and that our view of external justice is just a mirror image, a reflection, of our internal witness of it.
A common dictionary meaning of ‘Justice’ is, “fairness in the way that people are treated or dealt with”: but by whom? We may look to how others treat or deal with us; but the first place where we recognise and experience justice, is in how we treat and deal with ourselves. After all, we spend 100% of our time in our own minds and hearts. How just or unjust we are with ourselves, will I believe, have the most significant impact on our mental health and well-being and our view of justice, within and without.
We are also all accompanied by our own internal, ‘little voices’, which are usually in constant chatter, unless you have mastered meditation or attained enlightenment! In Yoga Practice the mind is commonly referred to as the ‘monkey mind’, crazy like a drunken monkey, stung by a scorpion! We all have at least two little voices: the ‘cheerleader’ who is nurturing, supportive and energises you. S/he speaks to you through your heart and from a place of abundance. Then there is the, ‘pessimist’, who drains you as s/he speaks to you from a place of fear and scarcity. Then the other, ‘little voices’, of your school teacher, mother, father, bully at school, ex-partner, inconsiderate boss, and so on, might also join in to give their opinion about you too! How much attention and energy do you pay each of these little voices, at any given time of your day?
Be aware that your lifestyle choices also impact your state of mind and emotions; for example, what types of programs do you watch? What types of books do you read? Who are the people you spend the most time with? What kind of conversations do you engage in- idle gossip or inspired ideas? What foods are you eating? What drinks are you drinking? Do these lifestyle choices elevate you and energise you? Or do these bring your mood low down, so you feel mentally, emotionally and physically drained?
Know that we are all born worthy and deserving of love and so it is our birth-right to experience peace and joy. When we experience a feeling or sensation of injustice within ourselves, we are out of balance, out of alignment and ill at ease. In that state, it is impossible to reach our full potential and the highest expression of ourselves.
These strong feelings and sensations of ‘injustice’ carry negative energy which can be exhausting to carry around all the time. Consequently, they are likely to be reflected, like a mirror, in our experiences on the ‘outside’. That is, these feelings and sensations of injustice will likely show up in our relationships with others and tint our view of ‘justice’ in the outside world.
Awakening to the state of our balance of ‘justice’ within, means finding our grounding, recognising the role we choose to play in life and ultimately means encountering our true freedom to enjoy healthier relationships and attract happier life experiences. It is also the key to finding and recognising the balance of justice outside us.
Affirmation: Today I listen to and empower my cheerleaders within.
Recommended Reading: ‘Little Voice Mastery’, by Blair Singer.
Top Tip: Treat yourself as you would treat a child; you, as a child, nurture and play with your inner child.
Related Blog: The Outer Justice System.
Awakening:
When I began to spend more time observing my thoughts, I was able to appreciate how much time my thoughts leaned towards positive and happy thoughts about myself and how much time my mind engaged in negative and judgmental thoughts about myself. This information helped me see what I needed to work on to develop a stronger, more positive mind-set.
When I catch myself judging myself, I try not to take this to heart- not to judge my having negative judgmental thoughts; but just observe them and acknowledge them. Then I find it easier to let go of those thoughts and focus on things I am grateful for.
When I notice my mind veer towards negative thoughts and thinking patterns, I take three deep breaths, (in through the nose, out through the mouth) say ‘thank you for sharing’ and focus on counting my many blessings and attributes, with which I can serve myself, my clients, and others, and which make me happy and peaceful instead.