Self-confidence always plays a central role in Eastern wisdom teachings.
However, it is much more sensible not to relate principles such as mindfulness and self-awareness exclusively to a religion or life philosophy, be it Buddhism, Taoism, or other teachings. Because these insights are fundamentally important and universally valuable. They should be accessible to every person – regardless of where they live, what activities they engage in, or what religion they belong to. Self-awareness is therefore a topic that is of particular importance for the life of every individual in this world.
Unfortunately, the term "self-confidence" is often confused with "self-assurance." It is often associated with an authoritarian demeanor or excessive self-love. However, self-confidence simply means being aware of oneself – recognizing who you really are. It is about feeling and understanding yourself, and not accepting the image that you have taken on from the outside over time to protect or hide yourself.
For example, it is not uncommon for people to believe that they are not good at certain things, or to feel ashamed of their actions because they have had formative experiences in the past. Perhaps they were pointed out by parents, teachers, or other trusted individuals that they are not good enough – whether through negative statements about their performance or abilities. Especially as children, such statements can leave deep marks that lead us to identify with these thoughts. Our attention then repeatedly focuses on our supposed weaknesses, rather than on what we are good at.
Therefore, it is so important to become aware of ourselves and to recognize that we are more – and above all, that we are valuable. Only when we see this truth within ourselves can we perceive our inner abundance: that we are loving, complete, and fascinating beings who are incredibly intelligent and sensitive, carrying passions, joy, and ambition within us.
With every negative belief we carry within us, we build a kind of "bubble" around ourselves that is meant to protect us. These protective mechanisms arise from a deep inner intelligence that tries to keep us safe from harm. However, with each additional layer we put around ourselves, our view of the world becomes cloudier. The beauty around us and within us fades until we eventually wear a "shell" that only reminds us that we are supposedly not good enough.
To get rid of this armor, we need to become aware of how each of these layers was formed, what they mean, and why we put them on. It requires discipline and effort to bring our unconscious thoughts to light and dissolve them. Awareness means seeing, feeling, and living the wonders within us.
The exciting thing about it is that we not only become freer from negative structures, but also create space for higher feelings such as compassion, gratitude, and kindness.