Know Thyself

“True strength meets the vulnerability of life with caring and courage. True strength knows that there are two great powers in this world. The first is those who are unafraid to kill. The other is those who are unafraid to love.”
~ Jack Kornfield ~

It is possible to release yourself from a life of reaction and frustration to live one of peacefulness and wisdom. We can train ourselves to live mindfully and honor our feelings as they arise. When you have reached a point in your life where you truly know and love yourself, nothing can shake your state of grace.

When defensiveness arises (a form of ego), it is typically a response to someone who has reflected our own negativity or self-criticism. The initial reaction is anger or blame which is utilized as a form of resistance; however, mindfulness reminds us to observe this flash of reactivity, and rather than seek validation or retribution outside of ourselves, we choose instead to heal the misguided judgments that we still carry.

When we resist an experience, we become lost in anger, hatred, fear, judgment and blame. When we seek to evolve through an experience, we move into mindfulness, compassion, strength and fearlessness.