I’ve always loved stories—listening to them, telling them, and reflecting on them. In fact, life itself is a collection of stories—our own stories or those passed down through personal and collective history (or her-story). And like all stories, the ones in our present reality, are a blend of fact, fiction and opinion. Every day, we take big bites of this reality, like sinking our teeth into a huge, multilayered sandwich. We absorb facts spiced with perceptions, layered with interpretations, and seasoned with emotions, often unaware that they flow into our system and influence the way we experience our world.
Amid this flow, there are persistent inner voices—whispers that tell us we are not enough, not loveable - except in certain roles, or are incapable of success. These voices hold powerful sway over our lives, sneaking into our responses and initiatives.
Why do we carry these with us? Why do we struggle under their weight? How do we rise above this all? These timeless questions lie at the heart of myths and spiritual teachings, connecting us with generations and cultures that have walked this path before.
One of the most vivid metaphors for this struggle comes from Greek mythology: the story of Sisyphus, who is condemned to roll a rock up to the top of a mountain, only to have the rock roll back down to the bottom every time he reaches the top. This myth has been explored by several philosophers over time and has long been interpreted as a symbol of the eternal human struggle.
For me, the myth of Sisyphus mirrors the Eastern concept of Samsara—the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by unconscious self-condemnation, habitual thoughts, and unexamined emotions. I imagine that the boulders we carry are the stories that weigh us down. They shape our perceptions and lock us into repetitive patterns. Much like Sisyphus’s boulder, we keep pushing against our past, hoping each time that we will finally crest the hill, leave it behind, and find freedom. Yet, more often than not, the pages we attempt to turn, roll back upon us, trapping us in an endless loop.
I often wonder: what would it take for Sisyphus to finally break free? Is it sheer effort, a matter of stronger muscles or greater willpower? Or does his liberation require something deeper—something only wisdom can provide?
In my reimagining of the story, Sisyphus pauses one day as the boulder rolls back down. Instead of rushing to begin the climb again, he sits beside the boulder and examines it. He looks at it with curiosity, going beyond its weight and solidity, into its essence. What does this boulder represent? What fear does it carry, and why has he been bound to it for so long?
As Sisyphus leans into his wisdom, he begins to see the boulder for what it truly is—not an enemy to conquer, but an opportunity for transformation. This shift in perception changes everything. The boulder loses its weight. The obstacle becomes the way to freedom.
Sisyphus’s story is our story. And like him, we have the power to reimagine its ending. This is the essence of inner child work—a process I believe every person must undertake. It begins by sitting beside our own boulder, turning toward it with curiosity and compassion. Continuing by unpacking the weight of stories that no longer serve us, we finally reclaim the wisdom that has always been ours.
Through myths like Sisyphus’s, spiritual teachings, and modern psychology, we are reminded: freedom comes not from repeating or fighting our stories, but from befriending, understanding, and transforming them.
In The Yoga of Self-Love, I offer a roadmap for this journey. The book is filled with exercises to help you uncover and release the stories that weigh you down, guiding you toward wholeness and healing.
You can take this journey on your own or join our Sangha in the upcoming 10-week course based on the book. Together, we’ll explore teachings, engage in meaningful discussions, and support one another as we tap into our soul’s resources. With the strength of true wisdom, we can lay down the boulder and step into a life of freedom, authenticity, and peace.
Are you ready to begin?
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