The myth of becoming happily immune

Have you noticed how many healers, gurus, and coaches claim that we can become happily immune to experiencing and/or causing hurt feelings? That if we "do the work" no one can hurt us or make us feel a certain way? 

As great as it sounds, this is a popular myth (and at times an unconscious trauma response) that urges us to seek absolute protection from the inherent vulnerability of being human - which often breeds greater suffering than the original wound or trauma. 

Here's why…

To be human is to feel deeply and be touched by life as a sentient being capable of both pleasure and pain. How much of our lives are spent in flux between the two? All of it. 

Yes, we can absolutely heal and change our relationship to pain, wounds, and sources of hurt. We can cultivate inner wellbeing and make efforts to minimize relational harm. And yet - no, healing (or happiness) does not equate to lack of vulnerability, numbness, indifference, or the absence of all hurt.

Healing does not mean being less human or sentient. On the contrary, it is in embracing our humanity and sensitivity that we empower ourselves to be fully open to life as it is - to be with the light and the dark without attempting to escape either part of the whole. 

May we stop running away from our own wholeness. 

May we embrace our humanity and befriend the full spectrum of experiences life brings, even when it hurts. 

- julie mae

p.s. - Becoming aware of the countless reasons and ways we run from being human is only the beginning of our return to deep self-acceptance. While the world may continue to tell us that it’s possible to escape ourselves or teach us to fear, avoid, deny, and dissociate from our humanity - we don’t have to take the bait. We can choose to unsubscribe from these myths at any time, and we can extend grace to others as they learn to do the same.