Allowing Ourselves to be Loved with Mike Maeshiro

Today's episode is with the wonderful Mike Maeshiro! Mike is the founder of Numa, an organization that supports people recovering from religious toxicity. Mike is gay, an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and a queer theology enthusiast. 
On this episode we discuss Mike's evolving perception of God and how it has impacted his sense of self. He shares that his perception of God has shifted from a patriarchal authoritarian figure to a more loving and personal presence. This change has led him to reject the belief that he is inherently sinful and unworthy. Instead, he embraces the idea that he is inherently valuable and deserving of love. Mike also explores the sacredness of understanding and valuing the experiences and perspectives of others, as well as the importance of trust in relationships. In this conversation, Mike shares a personal experience of making an intuitive decision that didn't make logical sense but felt compelled to do it anyway. He talks about a moment when he heard a voice in his head telling him he was not supposed to be where he was and that there was something else for him. This led him to quit his job and move to Japan, which ultimately changed the trajectory of his life. The conversation also explores the vulnerability of writing a love letter and the importance of embracing unconditional love and acceptance.

Takeaways

Our perception of God deeply affects our perception of ourselves and our sense of identity.
Embracing a more loving and personal understanding of God can lead to a greater sense of self-worth and acceptance.
Valuing and understanding the experiences and perspectives of others is a sacred practice.
Trust is an essential component of meaningful relationships. Making intuitive decisions that don't make logical sense can lead to life-changing experiences.
Embracing vulnerability and listening to our inner voice can lead to personal growth and transformation.
Writing a love letter can be a powerful and therapeutic practice that allows for self-reflection and connection with the divine.
Unconditional love and acceptance are essential for personal and spiritual growth.

Mike's Links:
Website
Instagram @mikemaeshiro
Substack "God Made me Gay"
"Confessions of a Reformer" Podcast