So many of our experiences, particularly during the impressionable years of growing up, are based on negative feedback on who we are – supposedly incompetent at many things and incapable of brilliance on numerous occasions and so on. Since the reference for determining our greatness is always others, the reality that there’s always someone who’s stronger, richer, more beautiful or more successful or more knowledgeable than us is hard to swallow. “We are disturbed by the sight of our own shadow and weaknesses” What do we do then, we try even harder – “but the shadow, the footsteps, and our sense of lack won’t go away.” Not by overcoming our weaknesses or negative emotions of self-doubt or by escaping or ignoring them; but by developing a deeper understanding of who we are and how whole, complete and perfect we are – even if our conditioned mind would have us believe otherwise, only such a realization allows us to experience greater peace. “If he merely stepped into the shade, his shadow would vanish, and if he sat down and stayed still, there would be no more foot steps.”