A Course in Love & Healing 
 
Lesson 19

Loving Yourself
is Your Spiritual Right
By Dr. Scott Peck & Shannon Peck

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being tops, how well do you love yourself?

Despite years of education and life experience, most of us fail miserably in loving ourselves. Subtle patterns of assuming guilt, preoccupation with fear, and the many times daily we listen to the inner critic all prevent us from responding to the core of our need for love.

This great loss takes place within our private consciousness, hidden from the world – hidden even from the people who think they know us best. We are masters at hiding ourselves. Why do we not learn to offer this priceless love gift to ourselves on a daily basis?

When we live without loving ourselves, we sentence ourselves to an isolated prison cell of love deprivation. And, unfortunately, most of us are quite mean to ourselves.  We refuse to grant ourselves pardon – or even parole – from our own imprisonment.

It is time for each of us to rise to the consciousness that knows and claims that loving ourselves is our spiritual right! The struggle to love yourself is vital to your well-being. It is time to give yourself the love you deserve – from yourself.

In fact, if you loved yourself twice as much right now, how would you do it? Your list might include lightening your load, giving yourself more comfort, releasing old patterns of thought or action holding you back, practicing more holistic health care, praying for yourself, or simply taking quiet time to meditate.

When we first answered this question, we were shocked that there were so many ways we were not loving ourselves. And when we looked at our list of how we could love ourselves twice as much, we realized that we would be more bold, more visible, and far more kind to ourselves.

Loving yourself is not selfish. It is a bold affirmation of the value of your life. It is important to remind yourself that you deserve such love – for better health, a more positive outlook on life, and the ability to contribute to the universe the rich resources within you waiting for Soul escape.

We should perhaps all be wearing buttons, reminding each other to love ourselves twice as much. Imagine going through life where everyone is practicing twice as much love! All that love would promote greater happiness and spill over to a more loving atmosphere for all humanity. This is a glimpse of Love’s divine plan.

The benefits of loving yourself twice as much are extraordinary.  You will be more joyous, satisfied, liberated, empowered, ready to expand and unleash your vast potential, and able to give and receive love at a much higher level. Loving yourself is the path to freedom and joy.

Rather than allowing yourself to be defined by other people’s actions or current circumstances, use these as opportunities to love yourself at a higher level. You are not a victim of your circumstances. Your consciousness is carving out your experience.  Stand in your spiritual power and love yourself in your true magnificence. This is the love power that caused Nelson Mandela to rise from captivity. Hold the light, even during dark times. The light of love is liberating and never fails. 

Here are some ways to love yourself twice as much:

• Go to a private spot that feels like a sanctuary and allow yourself, in utter stillness, to feel the idea of truly loving yourself.
  
  

• Quietly ask divine Love how you could best love yourself more.
  
  

• Affirm to yourself: “I know that loving myself acknowledges my oneness with Love. I claim – for myself and all humanity – that we all deserve such inner love honoring.”
  
  

• Post your list of how you plan to love yourself twice as much. Notice how many items on your list do not depend on anyone but you!
  
  

• Share your list with a friend or loved one. This will encourage both of you to move higher.
  
  

• Practice loving yourself more each day. Remember, transformation begins with a single step. Wouldn’t you encourage your son, daughter, best friend, or lovemate to take this step?

Let yourself live in the embrace of loving yourself right now. Actually, this is one of the greatest ways you can also help the collective consciousness grow as well. Each of us can consciously remember to love ourselves better – hourly – by remembering who we truly are as children of the Light. This is healthy, healing love. It is the love you deserve and the love we all deserve. We can help each other remember that this love is always available to us. In fact, it is Love’s divine intention that we experience such love all the time.

Let’s go forward together right now. How can you love yourself twice as much today?  We are rejoicing with you as you open your life to more love. Welcome to the heart of Love!