The outlet for my lamp

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do....It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.  M.W (quote in book: Getting to Maybe)


I continue to find examples of this same theme, and whether or not it is due to projection or selective attention, it doesn't really change the meaning it has for me.  I'm currently on a quest to find what passions really motivate me, from my core.  When I'm in a yoga class and the teacher speaks about moving from the core, I perceive this as a request that encompasses not only the physical pose, but the living pose as well.

Our heads are full of conditioning, particularly when it comes to action.  What's good and bad, what's productive and lazy, what's healthy and unhealthy.  Society is not an entity in and of itself, it's still just a collection of little people.  It should serve us to promote our well-being, not destroy it.  That conflict is obvious and compels people to do many things in response: isolate themselves, destroy society, or succumb to the current.  Is it possible to be apart from society but still participate in its evolution?

I think the quote exemplifies that process.  As long as we keep our lights off and our brains in the dark, we make a dark home.  One lamp turned on can illuminate a part of that home so it's natural for people to congregate around the lit part of the home.  If I can turn my own lamp on and add to the glow, the house will become brighter, not just for me, but for everyone.

It would be great if society were already full of light, but it is not, so it takes serious effort for individuals to find their outlet.  I'm still searching for my outlet.  When I do find it, I hope there's enough electricity for me to burst forth with enough light to brighten the whole room.