Shame as a Survival Strategy
Shame is one of the most painful voices in the Inner War. It tells us “I am not enough. I am unworthy. I am unlovable.”
But here’s the truth: shame didn’t begin as an enemy. It began as protection — a survival strategy shaped by trauma, culture, and even evolution.
In this episode, Gary unpacks the deeper nature of shame, why it feels so overwhelming, and how we can begin meeting it with compassion instead of judgment.
🌱 In this episode you’ll learn:
The critical difference between shame and guilt — and why guilt can guide repair while shame traps us in self-rejection.
Why shame is less about what you’ve done and more about fearing you are unworthy of love and belonging.
How culture teaches us to bury the darker sides of ourselves, leaving us ashamed of our own humanity.
Why there is nothing shameful about being human — and how compassion reframes the story.
A practical step from the Self-Compassion Project to use when shame whispers “I’m not enough.”
✨ Self-Compassion Project (Active Practice):When shame rises, pause and name it:“This is shame. This is my nervous system trying to protect me.”
Then add a gentle reminder:“I am human. I am not alone. I was born worthy of love.”
Reflection Question:Where does shame show up most strongly in your life — in your work, your relationships, or in the way you speak to yourself? And if you saw it as protection rather than proof of being broken, how might that change your response?
