Diluting the Dragon Within

This morning I was allowed to be part of an amazing conversation, facilitated by Jerome Lamarque, that led me to recognise how we are controlled by our inner dragon.  We can all relate to what this may be in our life, the stories, the conditioning, the imprinting we believe we cannot change.  However, this is a myth.  Our inner dragon can be our source of power to live authentically, rather than the dragon that weighs us down, draining us of a life we 'wish' we could live, and the person we believe we'll never become.

Assisting others to grow through personal and spiritual development is my life and my purpose, knowing I’m always a work-in-progress.

One of the unexpected themes that arose in today’s group call was about understanding the ‘story’ we’ve come to believe so strongly, and how we can begin to change this so that we can live authentically and empowered. One person mentioned the ‘dragon’ that he could not shift from his life or get off his back.  He was aware of what that dragon looked like (the story and the well-ingrained beliefs) but no matter what he did, he couldn’t seem to get rid of that dragon.  And clearly, it had been with him for a long time.

As I looked around the room, every person could relate to that same feeling; either now or in the past, of what it feels like to live in the pain of allowing the ‘dragon’ within to control our choices, our beliefs, our happiness and our level of growth and progress in life.

So, how do you get rid of that dragon that seems to keep you tied down, stuck in patterns of thinking and behaviour that prevent you from getting on with your life so you can experience genuine joy, fulfilment and authenticity?

Knowing yourself well is key.  Start with being honest about the stories, the conditioning, and the early imprinting that you believe cannot be changed.  Say it, write it down, and share it with someone you trust.  “I’ve always been unable to ………... because of ……….. (the story, the reason, the justifications)”.   See it and realise it’s what you’ve told yourself for a long time, and notice how it’s controlled you.  The story is not just a culmination of experiences, it’s the meaning you have given them.

To change the story we must realise it was never the ‘external’ cause that has conditioned us (it was my parents, my cultural background, my partner, my job etc).  We must own our story and recognise that the meaning we've given our experiences is what creates our inner dragon.  In the same way, we can release and dilute the dragon by seeing the flip side of our experiences and noticing what the challenges taught us about ourselves. There is always something that adversity teaches us.

One of the key elements of Jerome’s program, which teaches inspirational leadership, is about helping people to understand their philosophy in life - what they’ve had to master through personal challenge, and how it can serve to inspire them toward their purpose. He also assists them in understanding their core values and how these become our guiding principles in life.

You can change your life when you understand your philosophy and your values by focusing on these every day.  Rather than remind yourself of the dragon you want to defeat, focus on what you value most in life.  I value optimising my well-being. I value living my truth.  I value simplicity, being clear, calm and compassionate. I value inner growth. I value leading with purpose, and so on.  These are some of my values.  They do not represent having reached perfection …. they are what I’m striving for in my life.

When I recite to myself daily what I value most in my life (not what I’m grateful for), I hear myself say what it is I want to create more of in my life, which leads me forward, rather than staying stuck in my stories.  When I focus on my values, I release the dragon, and the dragon dilutes organically.  The power I once gave the dragon in my life, becomes the power I give to myself, my dreams, and my future, so I can live my potential and my purpose.

What you do next must come from the heart. What you value must become the principles from which you live your life. Say goodbye to the dragon, and say hello to the person you know yourself to be and the life you want to create.

Rebecca Gabrielle
Spiritual Guidance and Transpersonal Coaching
www.RebeccaGabrielle.com