WHAT IS MIRROR WORK?

Mirror work is an intensely powerful method of learning to love yourself, by gradually breaking down the blockages within that are creating self-deprivation, resistance and fear about the world and feeling able to trust in others.

By reframing the lenses with which you see through, in seeing the world as a safe, loving place, you begin to open yourself up to the endless possibilities and limitless doors that open before you. In creating a healthy regime of affirmations (aka: self-speak), the messages you send to your subconscious can establish new patterns from the habitual ways you think about yourself.

These regular, daily positive affirmations plant healing thoughts and ideas that support you in developing self-confidence, esteem, peace of mind and inner joy. The most impactful affirmations are ones you speak to yourself in front of a mirror.

The mirror reflects back to you the feelings you have about yourself – making you instantly aware of where you are open and flowing, and where you are resisting – which helps spotlight what needs addressing and shifting in order to create a more positive, fulfilled life and state of being.

In making this a daily practice, you will become more mindful in the ways you speak to yourself and begin to take better care of yourself on a deeper level than you could before.

MIRROR WORK EXERCISE

For many of us, simply sitting in front of the mirror and staring into our own eyes feels extremely uncomfortable and difficult to do. This is why we make it a daily practice. It must become natural for us to view ourselves through eyes of love. The more we can shift ourselves from looking through the lens of fear, the more we can repair and replace old patterns of behavior, and the easier it feels. The more you continue looking through the lens of love, the less self-critical, judgmental and fearful you become.

It can be very confronting at first. It reveals your most basic fear and more critical self-judgments. But the more you do the work, the more you will see beyond those judgments and see who you really are: a beautiful, perfect being, filled with an endless ability to love unconditionally, and bright and powerful inner light that is inextinguishable.

Willingness and vulnerability to be honest (not forging positivity, but being truthful), are the keys to this process.

Be mindful of your inner monologue and your responses, and keep a journal to note where tension, discomfort, shifting, tightness or feelings like sadness or disbelief arise. These are the keys that will unlock the breakthroughs.

It is absolutely okay to cry.

Do not give up because you feel it’s not working. The more you commit, the more it will work, and the more comfortable you will feel in speaking to yourself. Remind yourself that you are worthy of love – of being loved, of filling yourself with love, of healing. Remind yourself that just the same way you would show up for a best friend or a family member is in this way showing up for yourself. A few moments of discomfort when pushed through can lead to a lifetime of loving yourself.

BEGIN YOUR RITUAL

Sit or stand in front of a mirror.

Look into your eyes.

Breathe deeply as you lose yourself in your own gaze.

Affirm out loud:

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”

Repeat 10 times.

Now affirm:

“You are worthy. You are loved. You are safe. You are perfect.”

Repeat 10 times.

Now affirm:

“I see you. I admire you. I love you.”

THE HO’OPONOPONO

The first affirmation in my mirror work ritual, “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” is derived from the ancient Hawaiian forgiveness practice of Ho’oponopono – meaning “to make things right” – which combines repentance, forgiveness, gratitude and love in four deeply healing phrases that when utilized together, and spoken in truth, vulnerability and conviction, yield incredible soul-level healing.

The more heartfelt you recite these four statements, the more they become a regular mantra in daily moments. The Ho’oponopono is based around the idea that we are all truly one energy, which is why this is one of the highest forms of self-love. By reclaiming your energy through love and forgiveness of self, you are connecting with your Highest self – the Universe – all as One. In recognizing that everything in your reality is something perceived by your mind – everything thus must be affected by your inner self.

* By first stating I’m Sorry, you are admitting responsibility by accepting the fact that all wrong things started within you.

* In saying Please forgive me, you are asking the Universe for an apology as a cleansing method to remove negativity and deeply rooted blockages, allowing you to move forward in your life with a feeling of restored power within you.

* By saying Thank you, you are demonstrating deep gratitude toward the Universe, to yourself for allowing the space for change, growth and renewal to occur within you, and filling yourself with positive, fresh energy. You are honoring yourself and taking time to speak gratitude for who you are.

* Saying I love you speaks to yourself in all your Divine perfection, the Universe as you, to your magnificent physical body, the possessions you have, the security you built around you, and it illuminates your entire being with unconditional Love. Love, when deeply felt to you, from you, as you, accelerates the healing process on a deeply cellular level.

I HOPE THIS BEAUTIFUL RITUAL INSPIRES YOU AND ASSISTS YOU ON YOUR HEALING JOURNEY, WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS. KNOW THAT YOU ARE WORTHY OF ALL LOVE, FOR YOU ARE LOVE.

*What arises for you when you do your mirror work? Is it something that feels naturally difficult for you, or is it something that feels like an honoring of yourself? I would love to hear any and all experiences you would like to share in the comments below.