Our deepest fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson

Padma gave me this quote and it really resonates with me (and in case you're wondering I don't interpret God in the same way she probably does).

It's often really easy to get wrapped up in your own thoughts and believes. In the West it's said that "I think, therefore I am" which implies that your thoughts define you - that your thoughts become you. In the East the philosophy is more "I am, therefore I think" - starting from the fact that I exist and I am what I am, and that thoughts are not me, they are just a byproduct of me being. This is a model that makes more sense to me.

In the same model your mind is infinite - but it's your ego that tries to make it small to comfort you. Failing is easy - then you never need to progress or change. Success is scary - moving on, become better, chasing your dreams, taking control, being responsible. I don't want to be small, I want to be infinite. And I want to shine and be liberated and liberate others.

(Sorry if this didn't make much sense.)

Posted by kolibri at 11 February 20:56, 2007