Written by Roy Holman. Narrated by Marie T. Russell.

The pollution of the planet is only an outward reflection of an inner psychic pollution: millions of unconscious individuals not taking responsibility for their inner space. ---  Eckhart Tolle

Responsible means able to respond, answerable for, trustworthy. Most of us would probably say we are responsible. But it is often the wrong response!

Frequently, we are tempted to take responsibility for others, as in changing or healing them. As a peace activist, I know this one quite well. To me, doing human rights work in Central America actually seemed easier than doing the inner work, taking responsibility for myself. My ego loved focusing on educating others and urging shifts in U.S. policy. That somehow seemed more doable or important than taking responsibility for my own pain, my own mind, and my own unloving thoughts.

While Gandhi was in prison, a man wrote to him asking how he could help heal their country, to which Gandhi replied:

“Do not burden yourself with the responsibility of emancipating the country. Emancipate yourself, this burden is good enough. Begin applying all principles to your life, considering that you are India. In this rests the salvation of your soul. In this rests the salvation of India.”   -- Gandhi

We may say, “If I could just change that other person (or country), my life will be better. If they would change, I would be happy.” Again, when we focus...

Continue Reading at InnerSelf.com (plus audio/mp3 version of article)

Read by Marie T. Russell, InnerSelf.com

Music By Caffeine Creek Band, Pixabay

About the Author

Roy Holman is a certified Yoga, Meditation, and Healing Instructor who has been teaching personal growth and Earth stewardship for over ten years and has been leading retreats to Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Sedona, and in his home state of Washington. Roy also spent several years abroad doing human rights work in Central America. In July of 2018, Roy was certified as a HeartMath Coach. HeartMath offers simple tools and techniques to help us move some of the energy out of our busy mind and to access our heart intuition and intelligence. 

Visit his website at www.holmanhealthconnections.com.