Vulnerability is the only authentic state. Being vulnerable means being open, for wounding, but also for pleasure. Being open to the wounds of life means also being open to the bounty and beauty. Don’t mask or deny your vulnerability: it is your greatest asset. Be vulnerable: quake and shake in your boots with it. The new goodness that is coming to you, in the form of people, situations, and things can only come to you when you are vulnerable, i.e. open.
~Stephen Russell
(Barefoot Doctor's Guide to the Tao:
A Spiritual Handbook for the Urban Warrior)
~*~
When we were children, we used to think
that when we were grown-up
we would no longer be vulnerable.
But to grow up is to accept vulnerability. . .
To be alive is to be vulnerable.
~Madeleine L'Engle
~*~
We get most upset with those we love because they are close to us and we know that they are aware of our weaknesses. . . If only we could learn to live with our inadequacies, our frailties, our vulnerabilities, we would not need to try so hard to push away those who really know us.
~Desmond Tutu
(Believe)
