I believe it was Ram Dass who once said that in order to know true freedom, we must never avert our eyes from our own humanity.

For, in looking to others, we recognize an aspect of self once presumed ‘healed’. We see our failings, and we see our glory; though, mostly we see what’s ‘real’.

We see the struggle of soul against an unrelenting fear.

We see our past transgressions in a growing wake of shame.

And, when our knees buckle under unbearable suffering – do we see our weakness, or our resilience?

Is there any wonder why most will look away? Too timid to face the story time has created.

But, that’s the good stuff – isn’t it? To embrace with equanimity all these aspects within?

For within each fear, our resilience grows. And, these tests of morality? A deepened compassion.

So easily inclined to coax the loss, though – what has been gained? Do we avert our eyes before seeing what remains?

For that which remains is always the ‘much greater still’; an understanding that we must break in order to be revealed.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️