Being Our Own Teacher

Friday's inspirational thoughts for a happy and fulfilling day.   [View Online]( INSPIRATION [Being Our Own Teacher]( Ultimately, you are the one — the teacher who will guide you on your journey. We spend a lot of our lives looking for role models, mentors, teachers, and gurus to guide us on our path. There is nothing wrong with this, and in fact, finding the right person at the right time can really help. However, it is important to realize that in the absence of such a figure, we can very safely rely upon ourselves. We carry within us everything we need to know to make progress on our paths to self-realization. The outer world serves as a mirror. Or to use another metaphor, our inner world has a magnetic force that draws to us what we need to evolve to the next level. The path of the spirit is often thought of as a journey with a specific goal, such as finding the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In this metaphor, a person begins a search for something they want. Then they go off to find it, and there is a happy ending when they do. However, most of us know that getting what we want only makes us happy for a moment, and then the happiness passes as soon as a new object of desire presents itself. Joy, however, is a permanent aspect of our inner selves; it is not separate from us at any point. We do not have to travel to find joy or even imagine that it resides only in the body of another. In fact, the best teachers point out that this very precious elixir is something we all already possess. So when we find ourselves on our path not knowing which way to turn and wishing for guidance, we can turn to ourselves. We may not know the right answer rationally or intellectually, but if we simply ask, let go, and wait patiently, an answer will come. The more we practice this and trust this process, the less we will look outside ourselves for teachers and guides, for we will have successfully become our own teacher. Explore today's companion course: > [Ikigai: Japanese Philosophy to a Long, Healthy, and Happy Life]( ❁ Did you miss yesterday's inspiration? Click [here]( to view them all.   DailyOM Companion Course [Ikigai: Japanese Philosophy to a Long, Healthy, and Happy Life]( Discover the art of living with purpose and joy through the Japanese concept of ikigai. Guided by Japanologist and author Nicholas Kemp, this course invites you to reconnect with what lights you up inside — those moments of pure happiness, deep connection, and personal meaning. With compassionate guidance and reflective practices, you'll learn how to embrace life with renewed energy and clarity, uncovering what truly makes your heart sing. Begin your journey toward a life filled with purpose, freedom, and daily joy — because you deserve to wake up each day excited for what’s ahead. [Learn More]( New Courses - [Get Unstuck From Fight, Flight, or Freeze Mode]( - [Overcome the Shadow Holding You Back]( - [Heal Emotions Before They Affect Your Body]( - [Escape the Cycle of Seeking Validation]( Recommended For You [The Happiness Method: Beyond Positive Thinking]( [Learn More]( [The Healing Power of Your Feet]( [Learn More]( [Re-Parent Your Inner Child]( [Learn More]( [The Power of Quantum Physics for Self-Healing]( [Learn More]( [Talking to Dead People]( [Learn More]( [Reframing Your Narrative About Challenging Relationships]( [Learn More]( Top 10 Courses 1. [The Parasympathetic Nervous System Fix]( 2. [Shedding Your Menopausal Middle in 10 Days]( 3. [Escape the Cycle of Seeking Validation]( 4. [Gentle Yoga to Rebuild Strength and Flexibility]( 5. [Nerve Flossing to Reduce Inflammation and Chronic Pain]( 6. [The Vagus Nerve Miracle]( 7. [A Year of Writing to Uncover the Authentic Self]( 8. [Get Unstuck From Fight, Flight, or Freeze Mode]( 9. [Fit and Fierce Over 40]( 10. [Heal Yourself With Polyvagal Therapy]( Explore 375+ Courses There's something for everyone. What do you want to learn today? [Browse by Topic]( [DailyOM Logo](   [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( [Twitter]( You are receiving this email because you're subscribed to DailyOM. You are registered with {EMAIL}. [Inspirations]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( [Remove me from this list]( | [Help/FAQ]( Copyright © 2024 [Everyday Health, Inc.]( All rights reserved. DailyOM is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. 114 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10011 Subject to our [terms of service]( and [privacy policy](.