Opening Sun, 17th April, 2013
As beautifully illustrated by the orchid pictured here, it's clear that being open to the world is not simply about showing yourself intimately, though it does begin with that. The opening, ultimately, is less about exposing yourself than it is about a true exchange with others—a natural cycle of giving and receiving. Insects and birds don't just come to gawk, they come for intercourse, receiving nectar and giving necessary pollination. In other words, the opening is the beginning of true relationship.
And so this has now become my experience as well. Every person in my life to whom I have opened myself and truly shared my heart has responded with love and compassion. For the first time in a long time, I feel I am now capable of true, deep friendships that go beyond the superficial.
It is life affirming and liberating to truly, fully open yourself to another. The content of your conversations—long-suppressed feelings of guilt, or anger, or fear—will not always be easy and, in many cases downright painful. But honest words spoken in love and compassion are powerful medicine.
Popular Buddist philosopher Thich Nhat Hanh, in his book Anger, tells a beautiful story of a woman who had suffered a very unhealthy relationship with her husband. He was a chronically angry man who made the lives of everyone around him miserable. The woman was close to taking her own life in despair when her Buddist friend finally convinced her to simply try talking to him. Not confronting him, but just sitting quietly and opening herself and asking him to share what was in his heart. Like the orchid, her opening was also a risk, for the heart laid bare is fragile and vulnerable. In this story, when the wife spoke to him like this, the husband began to cry like a little boy. The door of his heart had been closed but now was beginning to open again.
Every one of my experiences has been like this. Opening myself causes others to reciprocate and it can be a miraculous and life-sustaining exchange. The benefits of right relationship are the wisdom that comes from your intimate knowledge of another other beautiful person, and the peaceful joy that comes from being accepted as the person you truly are.
I wish you wisdom and joy in each of your human relationships.
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Don - Sun, 14th April, 2013
It's true, those that are the happiest take risks and expose their vulnerabilities. One can't really grow without doing so. Wishing you continued growth on your road to happiness.
As beautifully illustrated by the orchid pictured here, it's clear that being open to the world is not simply about showing yourself intimately, though it does begin with that. The opening, ultimately, is less about exposing yourself than it is about a true exchange with others—a natural cycle of giving and receiving. Insects and birds don't just come to gawk, they come for intercourse, receiving nectar and giving necessary pollination. In other words, the opening is the beginning of true relationship.
And so this has now become my experience as well. Every person in my life to whom I have opened myself and truly shared my heart has responded with love and compassion. For the first time in a long time, I feel I am now capable of true, deep friendships that go beyond the superficial.
It is life affirming and liberating to truly, fully open yourself to another. The content of your conversations—long-suppressed feelings of guilt, or anger, or fear—will not always be easy and, in many cases downright painful. But honest words spoken in love and compassion are powerful medicine.
Popular Buddist philosopher Thich Nhat Hanh, in his book Anger, tells a beautiful story of a woman who had suffered a very unhealthy relationship with her husband. He was a chronically angry man who made the lives of everyone around him miserable. The woman was close to taking her own life in despair when her Buddist friend finally convinced her to simply try talking to him. Not confronting him, but just sitting quietly and opening herself and asking him to share what was in his heart. Like the orchid, her opening was also a risk, for the heart laid bare is fragile and vulnerable. In this story, when the wife spoke to him like this, the husband began to cry like a little boy. The door of his heart had been closed but now was beginning to open again.
Every one of my experiences has been like this. Opening myself causes others to reciprocate and it can be a miraculous and life-sustaining exchange. The benefits of right relationship are the wisdom that comes from your intimate knowledge of another other beautiful person, and the peaceful joy that comes from being accepted as the person you truly are.
I wish you wisdom and joy in each of your human relationships.
leave comment hide comments ( 1 )
Don - Sun, 14th April, 2013
It's true, those that are the happiest take risks and expose their vulnerabilities. One can't really grow without doing so. Wishing you continued growth on your road to happiness.
