Core Beliefs


Core beliefs are rooted in deep, unexpressed fears. Depending on your perspective, core beliefs either cause all sorts of problems, or present many opportunities for growth. 

Common Core Challenges and Associated Fears or Beliefs
Abandonment – Nobody cares about me. I'm all alone. I don't matter. I can't trust anyone.
Arrogance – I'm better than all of you. I'm too much. I'm right and you're wrong.
Damaged – Something is wrong with me. I'm a failure. I'm damaged.
Inferiority – I'm not good enough. I'm stupid. I'm worthless. I'm boring. I'm hopeless.
Rejection – I'm a burden. I'm unwanted. Nobody wants to spend time with me.
Shame – I'm bad. I'm evil. I'm a mistake. I'm a monster. I'm disgusting. I'm possessed.

Some people are overcompensators. If you are in this category, you may unconsciously do everything you can to make it appear as if you are anything but your core belief.


Examples of Behavior of Overcompensators
Abandonment – Always need to be included, join everything to avoid deeper feelings.
Arrogance – Act very humble, hiding their deeper belief that no one can match them.
Damaged – Present themselves as always great, avoid talking about their problems.
Inferiority – Macho, domineering, need to prove they are better than others.
Rejection – Present themselves as incredibly desirable, yet reject others easily.
Shame – Overly nice and giving. Overcompetency. Secretly fear being exposed as fraud.


By exploring the deep beliefs behind your fears, you can transform your life for the better. Though you may find that you have more than one of the above, generally one will be more prominent than the others. Particularly if this is new to you, we highly recommend you first focus on exploring your most prominent core challenge. To deal with this, you can then design intentions to gradually shift this deeply ingrained fear or belief.




Suggested Intentions for Transforming Fears, Core Beliefs
Abandonment – I am worthy of love. I can find ways to safely share myself with others.
Arrogance – I can learn from all around me. I can see goodness in everyone I meet.
Damaged – I am whole and complete just as I am. I can choose to love all of me.
Inferiority – I am a good, valuable person. I can make meaningful contributions to the world.
Rejection – I am an attractive, interesting person. People can enjoy getting to know me.
Shame – I can be gentle with myself. I can hold the best intentions for all deep in my heart. 

At the root of all of these core challenges is a lack of acceptance and a deep feeling of being disconnected. This disconnection can be from ourselves, from others, from our spiritual nature, or from any combination of these.

 Here are two empowering intentions for transforming these most basic core beliefs: 
1. May I ever deepen my acceptance of myself and all around me. 
2. May I ever deepen my connection with myself and with all around me.

The above intentions are merely suggestions which you may or may not choose to use. By developing your own statements that resonate more strongly with your personal experience, you can transform your fears on a deeper level. Set aside time to explore these challenges. Change the wording any time you find something more appropriate. 

Once you have developed your intentions, cultivate an awareness of how and when your core challenge is triggered. Notice when you are telling yourself that same old story. Each time this happens, remind yourself of your deeper intention and open to shifting from your old, disempowering self-image into a new, fuller way of being. You can continually choose transformation by remembering to recognize fear as an invitation to growth.