Use this 2 Word Michael Singer Teaching to Defang Oodles of Angst
It’s about taking things personally.
This article will be particularly impactful for any of you who place yourselves on the sensitive end of the sensitivity spectrum. I imagine that’s a goodly sum of you as we peeps interested in the spiritual tend to be on the sensitive side.
The story starts years ago when I heard my favorite spiritual teacher, Michael Singer, say something in one of his talks that made my ears prick up. In subsequent talks over the years, Singer said it again. And again. And again.
So why am I just getting around to writing about this now rather than years ago? I should have. Mea culpa.
Well, better late than never, so let’s giddy up to the meat of the matter.
I’ll start by asking: Do you ‘take things personally’ on a regular basis? What do I mean by ‘take things personally’? I think you know but here are a couple of examples to illustrate.
-You’re talking with an acquaintance at a cocktail party when they abruptly bolt from you to talk with someone “more important.” You take it personally.
-Your spouse says you’ve been slacking off on the household upkeep. You take it personally.
-Your surly teenage daughter says the jeans you’re wearing look terrible on you. You take it personally.
Taking these perceived slights personally manifests in different ways for different people but usually includes some kind of physical jolt or pang inside. I feel that jolt in my stomach.
That brings us to the teaching du jour, Singer’s two-word gem of wisdom:
“Nothing’s personal.”
