 There’s perfection, perfectionism and Perfection. Well, there are more words associated with perfection, but let’s start by examining the essence of these three words. According to Oxford Languages’ online dictionary, perfection is defined as “the condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects,” while perfectionism is the “refusal to accept any standard short of perfection.” Typically, we infer perfection as a nearly impossible state – especially in the context of the human being – and perfectionism as a neurotic, futile attempt to achieve it. But what about Perfection, with a capital P? No, you won’t find Perfection with a capital P having a specific definition in any dictionary. Unlike God, it is not typically capitalized, or noted to be more perfect than its lowercase version. But, as readers (even non-religious ones), we understand the essential difference between God and god; the former indicating a quality that transcends the ordinariness of lowercase. When God is capitalized, there’s an indication of specificity, a reverence, an unspoken understanding of significance, nobility, grandness, and unequivocal qualities… of Perfection. Whatever your spiritual or religious beliefs, allow yourself to liken the essence of Perfection with God/Goddess (or Source, Creator, or whatever word works for you) as a fundamentally unnamable quality – one that is meant to be experienced by the soul rather than understood by the mind. Using this as our definition, we can follow the path to Perfection. As humans, we may not see ourselves as God, or even god-like with our imperfect behaviors and various shortcomings, but as spiritual beings we also understand that we are aspects of God/Goddess/Source and, therefore, must be created from its Perfection. If the Perfection of God is in all things, so must this Perfection be our humanness – in each one of us – including our multitude of flaws and inadequacies. Buddhism and other eastern traditions teach that life itself is an illusion. That what we experience with our senses – or even think with our minds – is not reality in its entirety. Spiritual awareness enables us to recognize a grander Mystery; one we may never fully comprehend but strive to experience for personal fulfillment, joy and purpose. As we embark on a conscious, spiritual path, we often become seekers of teachers, gurus, and guideposts to be discovered “out there,” only to realize that what we seek is ultimately found within. What if, like our desire to “know God,” we chose to embrace our Perfection? In a culture that is shaped by high expectations of attractiveness, success, material goods, quality workmanship, and keeping up with the (name your family), we have come to realize the harsh consequences that impossible standards can have on the average individual trying to be and/or present perfection and – understandably – failing. Erroneously, we associate this external, polished perfection with our value. Like shifting our attention from an external God that will answer our every prayer (and feeling unworthy when unanswered) to cultivating within a deeper trust in God’s Plan (or Divine Timing or Thy Will), perhaps it’s time to realize that the external perfection that tantalizes us has actually been a call to embrace our essential Perfection. Our spiritual maturation enables us to perceive things from a foundation of Love and Perfection and it’s our human striving that becomes the practice. The path to embracing your Perfection does not need to be dogmatic, nor does it have to be fuel for excuses to do and say and show up as your lowest expression of yourself… but, of course, it can. Instead, like believing in God, perhaps the quest begins as a mere possibility – that it exists and you are interested in discovering more. Like most spiritual practices, embracing your Perfection will take… well, practice. This can start with simple affirmations such as, “I am Perfect and Whole just as I am.” Meditation or visualization can support your process. Listening to and shifting your self-talk away from criticism and towards the remembrance of your Perfection can be affirming. In time, you may come to believe wholeheartedly in your Perfection, in spite of external circumstances indicating you may actually be delusional. Maybe others won’t believe, or trust, or understand, and you will occasionally sink into doubt. This is where cultivated trust acts as reinforcement.
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