Hey y’all — it’s Jake with a quick and exciting announcement. Kendra Gaunt, who wrote a guest post for us a few weeks ago, will now be a regular contributor to Lazy Philosophy. The beauty of this newsletter is in providing thoughts and ideas from a wide range of philosophers and their various perspectives, so it only makes sense to take that approach when it comes to the authors of these posts. Kendra brings a unique point of view and vulnerability to her writing that I know this community appreciates. Speaking of vulnerability, let’s jump to her post on this topic.
👋 Hey phi-lazy-phers
It can be scary to share our closely held thoughts, experiences, worries, and dreams with others. For me, it can create a sense of fear that if someone knows so much about me, they might use it to harm me. While that’s always a possibility, so is forming a soul-inspiring bond with someone.
When I think about what I desire more - seclusion or expansion - the answer is always expansion, even if it’s uncomfortable. Our ability to form genuine connections often relies on our willingness to lean into vulnerability as the foundation for that connection. When we guard our inner world, we limit our ability to connect with others and even ourselves.
The concept and practice of vulnerability have long been an area of exploration, and there’s no shortage of musings:
Audre Lorde
...and that visibility which makes us most vulnerable is that which also is the source of our greatest strength.
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Haruki Murakami
What happens when people open their hearts? They get better.
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Paulo Coelho
The strongest love is the love that can demonstrate its fragility.
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FKA twigs
Vulnerability is the strongest state to be in. How boring would it be if we were constantly dominant or constantly submissive?
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Junot Díaz
You can’t find intimacy—you can’t find home—when you’re always hiding behind masks. Intimacy requires a certain level of vulnerability. It requires a certain level of you exposing your fragmented, contradictory self to someone else. You run the risk of having your core self rejected and hurt and misunderstood.
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Stephen Russell
Vulnerability is the only authentic state. Being vulnerable means being open, for wounding, but also for pleasure. Being open to the wounds of life means also being open to the bounty and beauty. Don’t mask or deny your vulnerability: it is your greatest asset. Be vulnerable: quake and shake in your boots with it. The new goodness that is coming to you, in the form of people, situations, and things can only come to you when you are vulnerable, i.e. open.
The practice of vulnerability is different for everyone and can change as we do. For one person, this might entail saying how they actually feel when asked, “how are you?”. For another, it could mean asking for what they want or re-connecting with an old friend.
In any way that we engage with vulnerability, we should remember that it is enough. Our willingness to reveal our feelings creates opportunities to know ourselves and others - bringing us closer to living in alignment with our nature.
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✌️ Until next week, happy philosophizing.
Upcoming Issues:
Religion
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