On...

Our Teachers

Everyone we meet – strangers too – bring us a particular gift. They do not carry it in their hands, but emanate it from the core of their identity or from the peculiarities of their personality. Their gift is a teaching. Everyone can be our teacher if we are willing to learn.

Because we observe and experience others through our own psyche and soul we filter what we see through our own unconscious identity. Therefore every time we make an observation about someone, positive or negative, we are revealing something about ourselves. And since we are revealing something about our unconscious selves, everyone tells us something that we would be wise to pay attention to.

If our thoughts, comments or observations about another have a negative tone, then likely we need to examine something in our own subconscious – something we have repressed, denied or not accepted about our own nature. When this is the case we need to do two things: find out what it is – and likely it will be something similar to what we have judged another to be. And then express acceptance and love toward that aspect of our own nature. It is also very therapeutic – and spiritual – to give thanks for the other person whom we have judged negatively for serving to trigger this self observation and love.

If our thoughts and observations are of a positive nature then likely we see reflected in another some of our own positive personality likes and traits. This happens when others are similar to us in ideas, tastes, likes and dislikes, and so on.

But there is another important possibility. When we view others as unique and totally acceptable in their uniqueness, whatever that might be, we are likely touching the soul in them. We can do this whenever we either consciously or unconsciously also touch the soul within ourselves. The soul within sees the soul in the other and recognizes it as oneself with total acceptance, appreciation and love.

Recognize when you view others in this way for you will learn much about the soul within yourself. And you will see what a difference it makes in your relationships when you base them on these qualities of being that you share with others.

Exercises: 1. Develop the habit of observing your own observations of others and reflect on what they reveal about yourself. 2. When you see someone who is very different from yourself ask yourself what aspects of your own unconscious are being portrayed or revealed to you. Then thank them for being who and what they are.

This is one of 150 Soul Perspective articles. For more articles visit Soul Perspectives Index.

Andrew and Bonnie Schneider are now offering personal interactive email coaching for the 4 Level Soul Journey program. Connect weekly with Andrew and Bonnie on how to develop soul consciousness. Read more about this personal coaching from Andrew and Bonnie Schneider by clicking here.