Bringing these parts into awareness, recognizing the dust and rust on the mirror, is the first step in cleaning up the lower self. It is important to realize that noticing these "not-so-nice" parts is a positive step in personal and spiritual growth, not an indication that you are backsliding.

Many people become discouraged as they move down a spiritual path, feeling close to enlightenment, when something occurs that reminds them that they are still very, very human.

The fact is that as we progress down a spiritual path, it gets harder and harder to ignore these parts. Think of not being able to see the dust in your home until the sunlight is streaming in the room, causing every speck of dust to become much more obvious: the more light in our lives, the more aware we become of the darkness.

Once you have begun to notice obstacles that act as barriers to the divine reflection, it is important to look at them with courage and compassion, or you might be tempted to push them out of your awareness again. It takes a lot of courage to do this work.

Having compassion for yourself is essential in this process. Often, people feel tremendous guilt and shame as these parts are exposed, and beat themselves up.

Criticizing yourself is not helpful, and usually pushes the parts back into denial, because it is too hard to look honestly at yourself in an atmosphere of self-judgment. Exploring the positive intention of the part — what it is seeking, what it needs from you — can help you stay in a place of compassion for this part you really would like to get rid of. I have found that, most often, this original intention is either to protect us in some way or to help us gain love.

Of course, the actual behavior never gets the need met, but the original intention is important to consider. A child may feel that she needs to please others in order to obtain love, and bring this hidden belief into adulthood. She may find herself being dishonest or manipulative in order to please others and obtain love.

It is important to note that the intention of wanting to obtain love is not bad, but the behavior — how this person goes about trying to obtain this love — is distorted, and must be understood and worked through to clean it off the heart.

Psychological growth and spiritual growth go hand in hand. As we grow spiritually, more light comes in, and more of the dust and rust on the mirror of the heart become evident.

As we do our psychological work, we polish more and more of the dust off our hearts, and more of the light of the divine can be reflected through us.

Lynn Larkin, M.S.W., A.C.S.W. is a psychotherapist in private practice who believes that personal and spiritual growth are intimately connected. Lynn can be reached at (206) 915-4444

Lynn@transformationaltherapy.com

www.transformationaltherapy.com

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