In many societies, vulnerability is viewed as a weakness of spirit – something to be disparaged, rather than encouraged. Even from the youngest of age, we are taught taught to ‘be strong’ – to find our fortitude and resilience.

“You’re a big boy now,” a father might say. In our minds, we associate this moment as one of censure and withholding. As a child, we draw our lip. Though, as an adult, we withhold our truth as the bully ‘ego’ moves in.

In time, we become paralyzed through this paradigm of living fully within our fear. We lose faith in these subtle, yet far greater aspects of self.

Acclaimed author and Jungian analyst Robert Johnson, describes how difficult it is for us to embrace our potential.

“Curiously,” he writes, “people resist the noble aspects of their shadow more strenuously than they hide the dark sides…” Just as a child fighting back the tears, we struggle to acknowledge the entirety of our own spirit.

In reality, it takes great courage to stand in the light of our own vulnerability – to ‘speak our truth fearlessly’, as author Jack Kornfield once said.

As the heart is calmed, we begin to realize that inevitably our vulnerability is both the means and the way.

A little something to consider, my friends.

In peace…

Namaste ❤