A Soft-Shelled Crab In A Sea Of Hammerhead Sharks

so vulnerable

a soft-shelled crab in a sea

of hammerhead sharks

Don’t put on thick armor if you want to remain close to the primal core of your being — the source of tenderness, emotional and sensory aliveness, vivid imagination, spontaneous joy, intuition, and love. But be prepared to be hurt by the sharp edges, thorns, and angry hornets of this world.

Fortunately, meditation can reduce the pain of living without thick armor. By gently observing the flow of our thoughts, feelings, and sense perceptions — again and again and again — inner strength increases and emotional pain gradually diminishes. A sense of wellbeing, serenity, and compassion for self and others slowly emerges.

One day we notice that we haven’t beaten the crap out of ourselves in a long time. And that what other people think about us is no longer a matter of life and death. And we feel fondness for people we previously resented. And we notice that simple things, like a cup of tea or being in nature, are deeply satisfying. And we realize that we are wearing the world like a loose garment, so there is no need for armor.