In NVH Answers, HSY Founder Nanette V. Hucknall answers your questions regarding relationships, psychology, and spiritual growth. Here are the top 4 user-submitted questions from October 2018:

1. I have been fostering a spiritual practice for several years. Some of the aspects of my personality that I thought would change at this level of commitment have not. I am wondering if practicing Higher Self Yoga will help these undesirable personality traits to change?

Even if you meditate every day and try to do all the “right” things, not all of the negative patterns you have accumulated over a lifetime will just drop away. You need to first acknowledge the pattern, then understand why you have it, and finally, do the hard work to change it. This level of work takes time and patience. Be happy with your progress, even if you feel it is slow, for nurturing a positive attitude will only help.

Make a list of the personality traits that you would like to see change as a result of a committed spiritual practice.

Connect to your Higher Self and ask It to help you prioritize the list.

Start with the top priority, and ask the Higher Self for a process that will help you change it.

Begin with the first step, and the rest will follow.

— NVH

2. What does “unconditional love” really mean?

Unconditional love is not associated with the ego; it is not personal or emotional. Unconditional love is free from expectations, and needs nothing in return. To love unconditionally is to accept unconditionally, regardless of a person’s background or behaviors for we are all part of the same Source.

— NVH

3. Ask your Higher Self:  Is there anyone in my life I have unconditional love for? Make a list, which can include parents, children, siblings, pets etc.

If Yes: Take one of the people on the list and place them in your heart.  Ask to experience the feeling of unconditional love. Take a few notes on this experience afterwards.

If no: How can I foster the capacity to love unconditionally?  What is the first step?

— NVH

4. How can a yogi find their true inner self?

By opening the heart and mind to the deep inner wisdom that comes from your Higher Self.  This is a process of change that includes striving to face the unknown that is within, no matter how difficult it may be. It takes discipline, focus, and balance in one’s life to understand and experience new knowledge that is not part of the known personality.  Some of these new thoughts and feelings will be negative, and need to be worked through by the yogi. Others are very positive feelings and thoughts that need to be reawakened.

Ask your Higher Self: 

Do I have any psychological blocks that are keeping me from going deep within and discovering unknown aspects about myself?

If yes: What are the blocks? How can I overcome them? Give me a first step.

If no: What is a good practice I can do to prepare for this work?

— NVH

Ask.

Nanette has spent a lifetime studying spirituality and psychology, and has used her learnings to help others on their own personal journeys. With a background in Agni Yoga and Psychosynthesis, Nanette has combined her practical knowledge with her own spiritual wisdom and insights to create Higher Self Yoga. Let her knowledge guide you along your own spiritual journey.

Visit NVH Answers to ask Nanette a question.