Connection

Human connection is about vulnerability. Being vulnerable in the world requires strength and confidence. Practice builds strength and confidence. The person who practices makes human connections easily. 

The culture of the workplace in societies where competition trumps cooperation is often the antithesis of a culture of vulnerability. Competition breeds suspicion, as competitors try to gauge the opponent's next move. No matter how healthy the competition appears to be superficially, it is armoring the competitors against the vulnerability that could lead to a very different relationship. In a culture of cooperation, vulnerability becomes part of the creative process, as coworkers freely share their feelings about the work process. 

Away from the workplace, the person who is used to concealing vulnerability carries his defensiveness into other relationships. Perhaps he will need to drink alcohol or smoke marijuana to open his own mind to express his vulnerability in order to make and maintain human connection. Unfortunately, the substance-influenced mind is unpredictable, unintentional and often irresponsible. Friendships come and go. Deep connection is elusive to the defensive or undeveloped mind. 

Establishing and attending to a daily practice of the mind and body builds strength. With that strength comes decreased defensiveness. The mind and body become less wary, because the mind and body feel strong enough to deal with attack. This is a matter of giving the developed mind power over instincts and conditioned emotional reflexes. This seems paradoxical to those who are raised in a defensive culture:  Increased strength allows increased sensitivity and vulnerability in the developed human being and human society. 

Human beings are social animals. However, pressures of overpopulation and diminishing natural resources will place great stress on the human condition. Competition for resources will be the natural animal response. Only developed minds will be able to continue to be open and compassionate under these conditions. Those who practice connect readily with other practitioners and those who are not practitioners. It is my opinion that humanist practice, focused on universal peace, love and justice, is a way to improve the individual human condition and human society.