The Path to Self-Discovery
- sababorazjani
- Jul 28
- 6 min read
On my journey of self-discovery and transformation, one of the most powerful concepts I have come across is Projection. Like many powerful ideas, it's simple to understand but transformative to implement.
Projection means that the traits and qualities we see in another are reflections of our own mind.
A Difficult Truth to Accept
The first time I heard this concept, it was incredibly difficult to accept. In a world pumped with fear and hatred, the projections that mirror back to us can be painful and uncomfortable. We project our own minds onto others, and this leads us to attack them—seeing them as separate from us.
But once we understand that these projections are simply mirrors of our own mind, we gain a powerful opportunity for self-reflection.
For example, if we struggle with feelings of inadequacy, we may accuse others of not being "good enough," overly critical, or disappointing—even when their behavior doesn’t justify such judgment. If we feel unlovable deep down, we might interpret someone’s neutral actions as rejection, and lash out at them for “not caring.” If we fear our own ambition or desires, we may label others as selfish or greedy when they assert themselves.
Those who attack others do not know they are blessed. They attack because they believe they are deprived and weak. I understand this. I have lived this. I believe all of us can relate.
We project our perceived weaknesses onto others, form distorted images of them, and then judge them as unworthy. In an environment that breeds hate and fear, these projections only intensify. What we’re actually doing is allowing insanity to take root in our minds.
Changing Our Minds, Changing the World
Once we become aware of what we are doing, we can choose differently. We can begin projecting from our right mind. Projection is inseparable from the human experience—we cannot stop projecting—but we can shift what we project.
We can project love and joy instead of fear and hate. We can choose to stop this insanity.
Looking Inward
If we pause and reflect:
What is it that we fear or hate in the other?
Where do we feel a sense of lack or insecurity?
Where is this fear coming from?
Where have we chosen not to love?
When we truly ask ourselves these questions, we begin to see that where there was fear, there is also abundance. Where there is hate, there is also love. As we reflect, we begin to change our minds. We begin to project from love instead of hate. From abundance instead of fear. From giving instead of attacking.
"Give, therefore, of your abundance, and teach your brothers theirs."
Seeing Our Brother as Ourselves
The teachings of Christ begin to resonate on a deeper level:
"See your brother as yourself. Treat your neighbor as you would like to be treated."
When we share our delusions of scarcity, we begin to perceive ourselves as lacking. I know how hard this is. I know the depth of lack I’ve felt in my own life—wanting others to love me more, to understand me better.
But when I stopped and truly reflected, I saw this was a mirror. Where was I not loving myself? Where was I not understanding myself?
Living in the Right Mind
I was projecting my sense of scarcity, weakness, and need onto others—criticizing them for not giving me what I myself was not giving myself. This was the insane mind at work.
But once you step into your right mind, everything shifts. You begin to see with different eyes. The world becomes a place of abundance, not lack. And what you were attacking? It was just an illusion created by your own mind.
You cannot perpetuate an illusion about another without perpetuating it about yourself.
Everything Is Energy
This world is made up of energy. Everything is connected. Even though we strive to separate ourselves with our daily actions, the truth is: we are not separate. We are one.
We can see this connectedness as a curse or a gift. We can choose to deprive others, or we can choose to give. But either way, the energy will rebalance itself.
The oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity, and your limitless power. This limitless power is God’s gift to you—because it is what you are.
From Scarcity to Wholeness
When we begin to make decisions from our right mind we see how deeply connected we all are. We are not weak, separate beings. Together, we are powerful.
Instead of dividing to conquer, we will unite to create. Instead of fear and lack, we will live from abundance and love. In our right minds, we find joy and fulfillment.
The Bottomless Pit of Fear and Greed
So many live from fear, hate, and greed—an endless pit that can never be filled. Like an addict seeking their fix, we dig deeper and deeper, only to feel emptier and emptier.
At some point, you realize this is insanity. That there has to be a better way. That all this effort to gain more, to control more, is futile.
It’s like living in a house overflowing with useless stuff. One day, you’ve had enough. You begin clearing out the clutter: your insecurities, fears, judgments, and hate.
With each bit you let go, the house becomes freer, more spacious, more joyful. And then, you walk outside—and instead of noise and traffic, you start to notice the flowers. The smell of coffee. The laughter of children. Life becomes lighter.
You begin to project love and abundance, not fear and hate. And slowly, you begin to live in your right mind. It’s more peaceful there.
The Mirror of Courage
But it all starts with one brave act: looking into the mirror.
When I first looked into this mirror, I turned away. Again and again, I resisted. I told myself, “This is not a projection. That person is just trying to hurt me.” But then, with great courage, I asked:
Where is this coming from?
Where do I feel lack or insecurity?
Why am I attacking?
At first, we see the reflection through distorted lenses—colored by our fear. But if we keep looking, eventually we will see the truth.
To see the truth, and to accept the reflection, is a sacred spiritual practice.
Healing Through the Broken Pieces
This is where transformation begins. Here, we finally see our shadows—our flaws, our wounds. And though painful, we also see that these broken parts of us are what make us deeply human. These parts know sorrow, and so they also know love.
The more sorrow carves into your soul, the more love you can hold.
It is through these broken pieces that we learn to love, to understand, and to connect.
The Path Forward
Maybe the world today is like an addict, spiraling in fear and hate—approaching its rock bottom. Maybe that’s what it takes for us to start reflecting, to face our insanity, and to choose differently.
If we each have the courage to look into the mirror and embrace our broken pieces, we can begin to heal. One by one, we can choose to live from our right minds.
A New Vibration
When we choose to live in our right minds, we see our connectedness. And the more we project love and abundance into this collective energy, the more the world vibrates with peace and joy.
The more we project fear and hate, the more the world vibrates with lack—for all of us.
The Starting Point: The Mirror
The more I project love and abundance onto others and the world, the more peace I feel within myself. The more beauty I see. By helping ourselves, we help the world.
This is how we save ourselves and heal the world—by having the courage to look into the mirror.
Your Mirror, Your Invitation
The journey toward peace, love, and connectedness begins with one courageous step: looking into the mirror of your own mind.
Take a moment today to reflect.
Ask yourself:
Where am I projecting fear, judgment, or lack onto others?
What emotion or wound in me is asking to be seen?
What would shift if I chose to project love and abundance instead?
Start small.
The next time you find yourself judging or blaming someone, pause. Gently ask yourself, “What is this reflecting back to me?”
Be kind with what you find.
You’re not broken—you’re human. And in those broken pieces live the deepest reservoirs of love, empathy, and strength.
This is your invitation to begin—or continue—your sacred practice of self-reflection. One mirror glance at a time. One breath. One choice.
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