The Future Re-Imagined

“As human beings, we’re actually capable
of greatness of spirit,
an ability to go beyond the circumstances
we find ourselves in,
to experience a vast sense
of connection to all of life.
To settle for walling ourselves off
through indifference,
or the temporary high of getting
what we want by whatever means,
or the petty excitement of besting someone
however we can is actually quite sad.
If we recognized all that we could be
and honored ourselves for that,
we wouldn’t compromise
our integrity and wholeness
for the superficial sense of power
that can come from lying to someone
(‘I know something you don’t’)
or the fleeting rush
and more enduring objectification and distance
that come from exploitation.”

Sharon Salzberg, from Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection