Those who accept the vulnerability that we will harm and we will be harmed walk softly, always looking for ways to alleviate suffering in the world rather than avoid it.
We take conscious steps, we look ahead- we check behind. We make amends, we bring food, we change our behavior, we ask questions, we sacrifice, we change again, we find it wasn’t a sacrifice after all.
It might seem like a lot of effort, but its actually less effort for the body and mind and spirit than trying to avoid harm and suffering all together.
When we reject the vulnerability that we will harm and be harmed, we miss opportunities to soften the suffering. We try to control situations, relationships, and environments with the intention to avoid harm. We compound suffering with our lack of attention, with our refusal to accept its existence. Our bodies, our minds, and our hearts are not comfortable. ( and they pass that information on to the sensitive nervous systems of others, if not consciously).
So, the first step towards any real deep healing of any kind is this acknowledgment. This practice of accepting the vulnerability of harming and harmed. This practice of the courage to look, listen, and feel.