The Universe appears to be a variety of different, separate forms to which we attach judgments, effectively valuing some forms more (or less) than others. But as I've written, all of these seemingly different forms are manifestations of the same thing:  the One being, the One consciousness, the One IS-ness that is God, or the Divine Mind. Given that everything in existence is part of this whole, One being, no single part of it can be worth more or less than any other part. But even with this awareness, most of us continue to judge all of the forms around us in our spiritual journey. And one of the forms we judge the most is our own body.

A lot of people carry shame about their physical bodies. Some of this stems from cultural and religious beliefs, and while body shame does seem to be more pronounced in some cultures than in others, we probably all have it to some degree. What's interesting about shame is that it indicates a hidden belief that our bodies are separate from ourselves—i.e., the body can be transcended in some way by willpower alone. Paradoxically, shame also indicates a belief that our body IS our true self, and we use its perceived shortcomings to berate and batter ourselves emotionally.

Shame wears many faces, but the result is always the same: it enables us to abuse ourselves, to feel unworthy, and to feel "less than." Some people feel betrayed by their body: for having homosexual feelings, for having sexual feelings, for not having sexual feelings, for having attracted a sexual predator (which makes them guilty instead of the predator). For some people, their body betrayed them by not being beautiful or handsome enough. Or perhaps they view their body's addictions—to food, alcohol, drugs, sex, or anything else—as the betrayal.

In a world created to experience the illusion of separation, we have separated ourselves into components: body, mind, emotions, spirit. We may even add additional layers of separation: an aura, a subconscious, a past. This is not "bad;" we did it by design. How deep into illusion could we go? How many ways can we experience what we are NOT? The deeper we went, the more fun it would be to wake up again. In this game, however, all of these "components of self" are just forms that we judge and project our thoughts and feelings onto. Since we can see, touch, and feel the body and it is our vehicle, it's easy to understand how it has become the target of everything we perceive as "wrong" with us. It embodies our beauty, or lack thereof. It embodies our weaknesses, and we don't like to be weak—that smacks of being "wrong," and the ego hates that.

It also embodies our vulnerability, and to be sexual is to be vulnerable. When we're vulnerable, we're out of control. While you are here, your body is the home of your spirit. It is not separate from you, just as everything in the Universe is not really separate from you. But our relationship with our bodies is so intimate, so central to our entire experience of this world, that if we are to heal, we must heal our perceptions of our bodies.

Whatever you think is wrong with your body, you think is wrong with you. It may not appear that way on the surface. You may think, "I am just not very attractive, and there is nothing I can do about that." But what you are really saying is, "I do not believe that I am worthy or loveable as I am."

Sometimes our body evokes our fears. Sexuality and the potent kundalini energy that each and every one of us is endowed with are forever intertwined. Kundalini energy is the creative aspect of our God energy, and as Creators, we would not Be without it. This power is potent when awakened, but with it comes the necessity of surrendering into the Divine Now, which leaves us feeling vulnerable. Again, a paradox:  immense power combined with the necessity of releasing control. This is a scary place for human beings, and to cope with it, we have created more distortions around sex than I can count.

Our distorted beliefs about our bodies serve to drive us deeper into the veils, where we pretend to be what we are not. In this consciousness, shame is a front that deflects attention away from our real issues. Shame says, "I am guilty, and I have to pay for this somehow." What are we guilty of? The formula differs a little for everyone, but in general, we believe we are guilty of "being bad," for causing our own pain (which we think we deserve), for failing, and for being "less worthy" than others. And if our own shame isn't bad enough, we'll take on other people's, too:  the alcoholic/addicted parent's shame, the battered woman's shame, the rape victim's shame. There is no shortage of human imperfections to feel ashamed of. We can always find something if we go looking for it.

So how do we deal with shame? How do we stop beating ourselves with our judgments about our bodies? Begin with gratitude and forgiveness. Instead of making your body the scapegoat, recognize that your feelings and beliefs about your body signify your feelings and beliefs about who you are. Then forgive yourself and begin to honor your body. Your body is the reason that you can have this holy, human experience. You chose this experience, and you are loved and honored for the work you are doing here. Honor this in yourself.

Your body does not define who you are, but it will reflect back to you who you think you are. As you begin to love this part of yourself and release any negative feelings about it, you will learn to love and forgive your own spirit. You are a whole being, not the sum of parts. Embrace your body, your feelings, your mind, your power, and your spirit as One.

Related articles:

• We are One: The world is a reflection of you
• We are One: We are the things we do not like
• Your body, the car
• Who is right?
• Out of control
• Players on the holographic stage