The Immense And Sometimes Unconscious Power of Meta Commitments
When I Discovered Meta Commitments
Years ago, I came across an article by Sally Kempton in Yoga Journal titled “Go Your Own Way.” It introduced me to the concept of meta commitments—the deep, foundational values and intentions that shape how we navigate life.
As someone who values intentionality, this idea resonated deeply with me. Over time, it has become a touchstone for how I co-create my life.
The Conscious Commitments That Anchor Us
Kempton describes meta commitments as the core intentions that influence our decisions, behaviors, and relationships.
On the conscious side, these are the commitments we deliberately choose: what we aspire to, value, and strive for. They serve as anchors, aligning us with our highest purpose and helping us grow into the people we wish to become.
The Unconscious Commitments That Hold Us Back
But there’s a flip side—our unconscious commitments. These often stem from unresolved fears, protective mechanisms, or past traumas. They’re the unexamined parts of ourselves that can create internal friction because they are developmentally stuck in our past.
For example, while we may consciously commit to vulnerability and connection, we may also unconsciously commit to self-protection, causing us to withdraw from others when things feel uncertain.
An Inner Tug-of-War
This tug-of-war between our conscious and unconscious commitments is what creates inner conflict.
Kempton’s concept of meta commitments—and frameworks such as Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey—help illuminate these hidden beliefs, showing us how they may sabotage even our best intentions.
The good news? Once we bring these patterns into our awareness, we can integrate and release them, allowing our behavior to be driven by what truly matters.
The Discomfort (and Liberation) of Release
Releasing unconscious commitments is rarely comfortable—it can feel disorienting at first. But I agree with Kempton’s view that:
“Once you have definitely decided, the universe moves too.”
As I work with my initial group of coaching clients, I am observing this process unfold in real time.
Whether as part of leading an organization or leading oneself, the work of aligning oneself by surfacing unconscious commitments is transformative—and it can be key to unlocking our next breakthrough.
A Reflection for Year’s End
As we approach the completion of 2024, it’s a natural time to reflect. So, I am asking myself the following questions:
What meta commitments am I consciously centering as I prepare for 2025?
Do I have any unsurfaced competing commitments that might be standing in the way of what I am centering?
I invite you to join me in this contemplation.
If this resonates, I highly recommend checking out an updated version of Kempton’s article, which you can find on her website at: https://lnkd.in/e3vczFnV
I wish you a joyful (and intentional) holiday season and transition into 2025! 🙏🏻😊🫶
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Julie Bauch is a deep transformational coach who supports individuals, leaders, groups, and organizations. Her work draws from neuroscience, wisdom traditions, somatic healing practices, Integral Coaching®, the work of Thomas Hübl, and a deep commitment to inner and outer coherence.
