PLAYING SMALL

“There will never be an “us” if I play small.”

~ Sharon Preiss

In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the only difference between the lovers who find themselves enduring Hell and the lovers working their way through Paradise is that those in Hell have no individual center, and so they spin in endless identification with each other.

Hard as it is, we cannot shrink form our relationships or we simply become an audience or gofer for the dominant partner or friend. Like most of us, I have struggled with this my whole life: fearful of what might happen if I actually voice my concerns and needs, surprised that doing so - while not always easy or pleasant - always enables me to be myself more fully.

Then, not by chance, I’m always more able to feel and see the world around me. I bring more to the scene and am revitalized more readily by my daily experience.

The great philosopher Martin Buber, who believed that God is most deeply known through relationship, spoke to the heart of this paradox. He said that before there can be a true relationship, there must be two separate beings who can relate. Most of our life experience bears this out. Unless we work to be ourselves, we can never truly know others or the numinous world we live in.

~ As you breathe, do not disappear.

~ Sit quietly, and as you inhale, realize that the expansion of your spirit is what knows the world.

~ During your day, when feeling small, inhale slowly and present yourself again to all that is around you.

The Book of Awakening

~ Mark Nepo