The temptations we have to think we know something and have “arrived” somewhere are incredible.
Our ego wants certainty and will absolutely be sure that “I have no more blind spots” and “I’m done” and “I got somewhere”.
These false conclusions, or “Landings” get us in the biggest trouble.
Often someone will attack me, assuming I think this way about myself, assuming that I believe I’ve gotten somewhere. If I maintain inside of myself that my tiny little brain is still catching up to consciousness, it becomes obvious that anyone who assumes I think I’m perfect is projecting.
If I don’t maintain this humility inside of myself, then I would be attracting constant attack. In general, I am surrounded by very respectful and humble people because I treat every person as my teacher.
I always assume I’m at the first step with 1000 steps to go.
If I have a difficulty, it’s always the first of 1000. If I have an insight, it’s the first of 1000. I share my blind spots openly with my trusted friends and clients.
Enlightenment means absolutely nothing. It’s useful in some cases, but it doesn’t strip the nervous system of its humanity.
If I have the humility to know that there is always more I’ll learn, it makes me actually trustworthy because I can acknowledge the existence of my humanity, I don’t need to be embarrassed about it.
More nuance is always available. I have nothing to prove.
The Work works itself. I just show up and present the options.
Every single moment requires attunement, especially with another person. If I actually care, I am tuning into what is happening. If I didn’t care, I’d be projecting all of my pain onto another.
Sometimes the most honest thing in a moment is for me to become angry. If I am attuned to the moment, it is valid anger. If I were not to be attuned to the moment, it would be old anger, which is still “valid” but not necessarily relevant to the moment.
This work requires an immense amount of honesty, and embodying humility is immediately reflected in the quality of our various relationships.
If we are not humble, we have questionable connections.
I do NOT recommend putting on humility as a mask. Authentic humility just means self-responsibility.
Owning your own experience without making it someone else’s fault, it’s as simple as that.
And settling into where you’re at and doing the Work, because there are still 1000 steps to go.
Joshua
