Story Meditation: Tale of the Whole Self

This unique story meditation uses the ancient wisdom found in fairytales, specifically "Beauty and the Beast," as a map of your own psyche. You are guided to recognize the conscious self (Belle), the loud inner critic/need for performance (Gaston), and the exiled, shameful parts of your soul (the Beast/Inner Child). The practice centers on walking into the forgotten castle of your subconscious to offer radical acceptance to your hidden, emotional self. By standing firmly for your whole, messy, beautiful self, you defeat the Ego's last stand and integrate your fractured parts, realizing that the "monster" was just a beautiful, vital piece of your soul waiting for unconditional love.