Warriors
of The Heart
The Journey Through
Vulnerability to Intimacy
"The heart that breaks open can contain
the whole universe."
-Joanna Macy
We
live in a culture that reinforces and even rewards being invulnerable.
From the competition of the toughest athletes to the cutthroat edge
in corporations and businesses, we have grown up with "more is
better"
"win at all cost"
"no pain,
no gain." Our very sense of self may be based on what we achieve,
what we have, or how others see us, rather than on our own sense of
our inherent self worth.
Unfortunately,
our ability to truly open to our deepest sense of self, to fully enable
our capacity for intimacy, is often impaired by the walls we build
around our hearts to shield us from our own pain, and the pain of
others. "Be tough"
"don't cry"
"carry
on"
sadly, the very armor that we create to protect our
vulnerabilities also distances us from ourselves and from others.
We may reflexively react to our fear or pain by moving against
others with our anger, impatience, defensiveness, or criticism.
Or we may move away from others by withdrawing, withholding,
shutting down, or numbing out - including addictions of all kinds.
Fortunately,
we all have what Pema Chodron, the Tibetan Buddhist teacher, calls
the "soft spot" - our innate ability to love and care about
things. And this soft spot is the "the way in" through whatever
walls we have built around our hearts. The soft spot is what we feel
at times of deep sadness, loneliness, fear, and loss as well as during
times of tenderness, gratitude, beauty, and love. Training to be a
warrior of the heart requires that we move toward the vulnerability
of the soft spot, rather than against or away. This capacity connects
us to others who also have the same vulnerabilities and feeling. It
gives us a training ground for cultivating compassion and deep intimacy.
And it builds muscles of courage and kindness - allowing us to open
deeply into intimacy with ourselves and with others.
If
your heart is calling for a little "muscle training", next
time your partner (or friend, or boss) is angry, impatient, or critical
with you, move toward them without blame or judgment. Listen for the
truth in what they are saying, meet their observation with gratitude,
and ask them to tell you more to help you understand their feelings.
Respond first with a positive statement, taking responsibility for
any of your actions that may have been hard for them. Stay with their
experience and feelings completely until they are done - while also
holding healthy boundaries so as to take care of your self. When they
are complete, ask when they would be willing to hear your truth, and
speak it also without blame or judgment - with the open tenderness
of a warrior of the heart.
In
Tantra, we explore the sacred journey toward embracing our vulnerabilities
and cultivating deep states of intimacy. We celebrate our innate ability
to care for and love ourselves and others - and how, through conscious
intention and a courageous heart, we can open ourselves to true intimacy,
authentic connection, and deep tenderness. Together, as warriors of
the heart, we can learn how to live and love with compassion and be
in each moment with clarity, aliveness, and joy.
Namaste.
And be well!