Looking For Love From Within

What comes to mind as the defining factor when you think of self-love? Perhaps it is a form of self-confidence or a form of self-care? In its simplest form, self-love might be conflated with those actions that make up its practice. But what it is in implementation takes place at a deeper level within. Each possesses the power to rē•frame their perception to be one of self-love, namely, a form of appreciation for oneself that can play a massive role in the growth of mind, body, and spirit. 

An imbalance between internal and external self-love can indicate a spiritual imbalance in need of healing. For years, Mar Harrsen has been guiding others on their paths to healing. Inspired by her own healing experience in Peru, two holy women helped facilitate spontaneous healing following years of chronic ailments. She now supports those searching for healing by teaching a new, spiritually-informed way of life. “If we look at ourselves as spiritual beings, we are outside of matter,” Harrsen tells rē•spin. “When matter doesn’t exist, there is no space [because] essentially there are no two objects that have distance between them… In the presence of spiritual truth and love, regeneration and healing are proved. This experience brought me back to myself. To my own heart.”

The healing journey inspires myriad thoughts and emotions, a deep exploration of self sparked by what we may not understand about ourselves just yet. This is because our environments are so heavily influenced by many who struggle with extricating their own identities and inner souls. Yet Harrsen teaches that this process of knowing oneself intimately is an act of self-love.

In the modern age, self-love has taken on multiple meanings influencing multiple domains of life – from the people we choose to surround ourselves with to the outward image we project to the world around us, and even how we live daily. One way to perceive self-love is as a state of appreciation for ourselves that supports our physical, spiritual, and psychological growth. But that’s not the only way you can define self-love today. “To love ourselves is to know who we truly are,” Harrsen says. She believes that self-love and self-knowledge are intricately linked. “I think, for instance, if someone is looking to heal themselves, sometimes, we must take our thoughts off of the body and be present with spirit.” Harrsen believes that for many struggling to find peace in their lives, the source is a disconnect between their physical selves and their spirits. 

Unleashing self-love means getting to know your spiritual selves better and having compassion for your truest depths — even the parts of your shadow that are difficult to face. “When we love another, this great love blesses ourselves, blesses all,” she says. “I think sometimes it is easy to be kind to others, but we are hard on ourselves.” 

While knowing your physical selves is easy when you tap into your physical senses, the spiritual self can be more elusive. The healing process of self-discovery comes into play here. “Who are we beyond the senses?” Harrsen asks. “For this [process of self-inquiry], I suggest deep listening, being in silence, in stillness, spending time alone in nature. The practices of prayer and meditation. Of rest.”

There is a certain domino effect of healing that occurs through self-love, and it reverberates throughout the other areas of our lives. Harrsen says, “Healing through a loving heart will affect every area of life, from relationships to work, health, finances.” She also points out that it follows an innate path that seems to unfold naturally. “You will be guided to where you are most needed. The more we align with truth, the more responsibility we have. The more keys we are given to open doors for others. More opportunities to discover ourselves, the unfoldings.”

Even today, some people perceive self-love and self-care as selfish, as something counterproductive or a distraction from what they “should” be doing. Yet, whether it’s the season of love or any other day during the year, practicing self-love and doing the inner-work is essential to holistic wellness. We have to keep propelling forward, carving out the room in our lives for healing. As Harrsen says, “We simply must take the best care of ourselves in order to stay on course. We must strive to be upright.”

Along the way, there is room for evolution as we partake in the human experience of growing and changing. Healing is a life journey; never intended to be completed. For Harrsen, that’s okay. “My experience is that we are always learning, growing, evolving,” she says. “The most important aspect is in aligning with the will of the Divine verses our self-will. The former path [is what] holds the highest vision for us.”