AureliZEN: 2 – Discovering Your Own Deep Motivation «

AureliZEN: 2 – Discovering Your Own Deep Motivation

January 1, 2025 AURELIS, Motivation No Comments

[For an introduction to the AureliZen series, goto AureliZEN: a Seminar Series for Deep Growth.]

Motivation as energy, not pressure

Many people think of motivation as something they must push themselves into — a way to overcome laziness or resistance. But real motivation doesn’t work that way. It is not about external pressure or discipline. True motivation is human energy.

This energy is not something we create from nothing. It is already there, deep inside. In this seminar, we explore how to connect with this energy, how to let it flow naturally, and how to use it to enhance both work and life.

When motivation feels like a struggle, it often means we are disconnected from our deeper energy source. Instead of forcing motivation, we can learn to invite it — to uncover what is already within us. This is similar to the process of deep autosuggestion, where lasting change happens by working with the deeper mind rather than against it.

Where does real motivation come from?

Many believe they are motivated by external factors — money, recognition, deadlines. But all true, lasting motivation is profoundly internal.

If some ‘motivation’ comes from outside, it is not really motivation. It is manipulation. If you feel like you must do something, or that someone else is pushing you into action, it is not a natural flow of energy.

Understanding this distinction is crucial. It allows us to stop forcing ourselves into ‘motivation’ and instead focus on awakening what is already there.

A key insight from subconceptual processing is that real motivation does not start in the conscious mind. It begins in deeper patterns of thought and feeling, where it must be invited rather than imposed.

The difference between motivation and manipulation

Many popular ‘motivational techniques’ are actually forms of manipulation.

Motivation is an invitation. ― Manipulation is a push.
Motivation comes from within. ― Manipulation comes from the outside.
Motivation energizes. ― Manipulation exhausts.

If you have ever felt forced to be motivated, you know that it rarely lasts. The real key is respect — for yourself and for others. Respect-based motivation is about alignment, not pressure.

This is why many so-called ‘motivational speeches’ fail. They ignore the deeper self, trying instead to impose external goals onto people. But real motivation comes from a personal connection with meaning, not from someone else telling you what to do.

Deep motivation as an ‘ocean of energy’

Deep motivation is not a limited resource. It is like an ocean within us.

In Eastern traditions, this ocean is sometimes described as emptiness (sunyata) — not emptiness in a negative sense, but as a state of pure potential, open to endless possibilities.

The Western concept of flow is closely related. When we are deeply motivated, our actions feel natural, effortless, and meaningful. This is a fundamental principle of how the human brain organizes itself for optimal performance.

When people lose motivation, it is not because their inner energy is gone. It is because they have lost contact with it. The good news is that this connection can always be restored.

YogaZen: A practice for awakening deep motivation

[see: YogaZen How-to]

Motivation is not just a mental process. It is also physical.

In this seminar, we use YogaZen movements to reconnect with the body’s natural energy flow. For instance, one of these movements is (seemingly simply):

Standing posture, bending forward, then returning upright.

This motion symbolizes going deep within yourself, touching your energy, and bringing it back up into action. When performed with awareness, it reinforces the feeling of deep motivation rising naturally.

By using the body as a guide, we can reawaken dormant motivation in a way that feels effortless.

Internal vs. external motivation

A common misunderstanding is that external rewards create motivation. Many people feel they are motivated by salary, promotions, or recognition, but these are just external projections of inner goals. Real motivation does not come from the external projection but from the deep meaning we give to it.

This is why motivation is always personal and deeply subjective. What moves one person profoundly may not inspire another at all. If motivation feels difficult, it often means that we have lost connection to our deeper energy. The fundamental shift happens when we realize:

“Nobody can motivate me except myself.”

Motivation as an ongoing practice

Motivation is not something we either have or don’t have. It is a practice, a mindset, a habit.

To keep motivation alive, we must regularly invite it, explore it, and nurture it. This is why in AureliZEN, we integrate:

Autosuggestion and deep reflection — learning how to activate motivation through the non-conscious mind.
YogaZen movements — engaging the body to anchor motivation physically.
3-minute ‘empty teacup’ meditations — training the mind to create space for motivation to emerge naturally.

Real motivation is not about willpower. It is about creating the right conditions for energy to flow naturally.

Connecting motivation to work and personal life

Many people feel unmotivated at work because their personal values and company goals are not aligned. A workplace that supports real motivation does not try to push employees. It creates space for them to connect their own deep energy with meaningful work.

This leads to:

Less need for external pressure or micromanagement.
Lower levels of burnout and disengagement.
Employees who take the initiative because they genuinely care.

The key is not to force motivation but to reconnect with personal meaning within the work itself.

How deep motivation builds resilience

People who are deeply motivated become naturally more stress-resistant.

Stress is not just about external pressure — it is about the gap between our actions and our deeper self.
When motivation is strong, stress is not a burden — it is simply energy that can be directed toward something meaningful.

A deeply motivated person:

Feels self-assured even in difficult situations.
Sees obstacles as challenges rather than threats.
Does not rely on external validation to feel motivated.

When stress becomes overwhelming, it often means the real problem is not stress itself, but a disconnection from deep motivation.

Invitation to explore your own deep motivation

This seminar is not about learning tricks to force motivation.

It is about:

Reconnecting with your deep energy source.
Discovering what truly moves you.
Learning to sustain motivation in a way that feels natural and fulfilling.

Real motivation does not come from pushing harder. It comes from aligning with what is already within you — an ocean of energy, waiting to be awakened.

If you have ever felt that your motivation is gone, remember: it is not lost. It is only waiting for you to find the way back to it.

―

Addendum: Q&A about this module by Lisa

(Note that you can also ask Lisa questions about your personal situation.)

How is deep motivation different from forcing yourself to act?

Many people believe motivation means pushing themselves into action, using willpower to overcome resistance. But real motivation is not about pressure—it’s about energy. When motivation feels like a struggle, it often means we are disconnected from our deeper source of energy. Instead of forcing ourselves, we can learn to invite motivation by reconnecting with what truly moves us. This kind of motivation is natural and sustainable, not exhausting. It flows from within, like a current in the ocean, rather than being artificially imposed from the outside.

When have you felt deeply motivated without needing to push yourself?

Why is real motivation always internal?

Many believe they are motivated by external rewards—money, praise, deadlines. But true motivation is always internal. External factors may trigger action temporarily, but they do not create lasting drive. If motivation comes from outside, it is often manipulation rather than true energy. Real motivation arises when we connect to something meaningful, something that aligns with who we are. When we discover this internal source, we no longer need to rely on pressure or external validation.

What truly motivates you beyond external rewards?

What is the difference between motivation and manipulation?

Manipulation pushes, motivation invites. Manipulation relies on fear, pressure, or guilt, while motivation emerges naturally when we feel aligned with a goal. Many popular “motivational techniques” are actually subtle forms of manipulation—forcing people into action rather than awakening their own drive. True motivation feels energizing, not draining. It respects the person’s autonomy and deeper self. Instead of controlling, it inspires.

Can you recall a time when you were manipulated into action? How did it feel compared to when you were truly motivated?

How does deep motivation relate to resilience?

People with deep motivation are naturally more stress-resistant. Stress is often the result of feeling disconnected from what truly matters. When we are deeply motivated, stress is no longer just pressure—it becomes energy that can be directed toward something meaningful. Deep motivation gives a sense of purpose, allowing us to face challenges with confidence rather than fear. Instead of burning out, we remain engaged and inspired, even in difficult times.

Think of a stressful situation—would it feel different if you were deeply motivated by the purpose behind it?

Why do people lose motivation, and how can it be restored?

Motivation is never truly lost—it only becomes disconnected. People often believe they have “run out” of motivation, but in reality, they have lost touch with what moves them at a deeper level. External pressures, distractions, and misalignment with personal values can cloud motivation. The good news is that motivation can always be restored by creating space for self-reflection, reconnecting with meaningful goals, and allowing energy to flow naturally rather than forcing it.

What situations have caused you to lose motivation in the past? How might you reconnect with it?

How can motivation become a lasting practice?

Motivation is not a one-time event—it is an ongoing process. Like physical exercise, it needs to be cultivated regularly. Practices like deep reflection, autosuggestion, and mindful movement (such as YogaZen) help to keep motivation alive. By continuously inviting motivation rather than chasing it, we create a steady flow of energy that sustains us over time. True motivation is not about waiting for inspiration to strike—it is about creating the conditions where it naturally arises.

What daily habit could you introduce to keep your motivation alive?