“As long as you have something to prove or something to protect you fall into negative or judgmental thinking.” - Richard Rohr
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On our journey to inner freedom, it’s helpful to know what keeps us caged. We are not free when we judge others, feeling our way is “better” or that others are “wrong.” Doing so leaves us guarded, creating reactions of proving or protecting.
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When either of these is done without compassion, you get what feels like the state of the world. It’s painful to be on social media. So much us vs. them mentality, every side trying to prove or protect their beliefs, causing a whole slew of negative energy.
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It’s during these times of divisiveness we need to remember the greatest teachings:
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​Love your neighbor.
See others as yourself.
Seek to understand rather than be understood. ​
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To paraphrase Richard again, “We don’t need a new belief system, we need a transformational system.”
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That is what the ancients teach us—to transform ourselves and, in doing so, the world.
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Yes, we can stand up for what we believe in. We can be fierce, bold, and courageous in service of our ideals—AND, people will disagree. If we’re not trying to be right, it will slip off us like Teflon.
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Nothing to prove, nothing to protect—that’s freedom.
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Because really, no one knows WTF is going on. We’re all just doing our best with what we have.
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Keep doing your self-work.
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Continue letting go of what's un-serving.
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And be kind out there.
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​Meditation: Seek To Understand