I am sometimes asked by may life coaching clients how personal development sits with the concept of mindfulness that encourages us to be in the moment and accept what is. Some people find this confusing and come to the conclusion that the desire to change is not spiritual.
Others warn that the new trend of mindfulness classes in corporations could lead to less productivity as people could disengage with the business objectives that require growth and change.
As a life coach, I do not agree that there is such conflict, nor do I believe that mindfulness was ever meant in this way.
Most of us know the concept of mindfulness from Buddhism and Buddhists were, and still are, big time into personal development. They train their minds with meditation to become more focussed, more knowing and more loving. They follow a path towards enlightenment, a path of constant change and progression. Indeed they use the lotus flower as a symbol symbol for this journey: The lotus flower rises from the mud at the bottom of a lake to grow into a beautiful blossom above the water.
Acceptance is an important starting point for any personal development as it helps us transcending judgment and finding peace and love. But like the lotus flower, we have an innate desire to grow from there. It is in our DNA. We are most happy if we allow ourself to grow. It’s beautiful – it’s our purpose.
So I ask my life coaching clients whether they want to grow from a place of fear and self-rejection or from a place of self-love and acceptance. A very different growth experience.