Brian’s Reflection: Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Perhaps all the dragons in our lives
are princesses/princes, who are only
waiting to see us act, just once, with
beauty and courage. Perhaps everything
that frightens us is, in the deepest
essence, something helpless that wants
our love.

Rainer Maria Rilke – “Letters to a
Young Poet”


I am kind of stunned by this quote. Why? Because it does two things. It proposes that the “negativities” we find within ourselves we create ourselves! That we look at aspects of our Humanity, and we assign them, often, negative values. But. Why, when we recognize these things about ourselves, do we reject them? Why do we dismiss them as without value? Rilke proposes that they are “Angels”, calling us to manifest ourselves in beautiful and courageous ways. I like this! It says that everything we are draws us towards being beautiful creatures. Is that not a wondrous way of understanding ourselves?

We often experience Fear. It is so easy to brand what brings us Fear as evil. Thinking this way divides us against our Self, and against each other. Rilke suggests that whether it comes from within or without, whatever frightens us need not be seen as the “enemy”. We can see it as our helpless Friend, reaching out in Love, for Love. And Love heals all.

We all have a shadow. Enfolding it is the only way to deny it power to destroy us.

Brian+