On Sacred Vulnerability

Consciousness Bombing Myself

Peaceful Warrior is a 2006 drama film based on the 1980 novel Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman.

Recently, my journey into launching this Substack and pursuing a career as a full-time writer and activist for the regenerative movement has stirred a whirlwind of emotions within me. From nervousness and anxiety to imposter syndrome and indecision, to even the fear of failure and exposing myself to the world, I've experienced a gamut of feelings. It's been over four years since I last engaged in serious writing, publicly sharing my radical ideas, and eight years since I published my book.

The emotional ride hasn't been all fear and doubt. Amid the tumult, I've been swept up in waves of excitement, inspiration, and newfound purpose. Last year in Italy and the past couple of months in Colombia, synchronicity has brought me face-to-face with incredible people, leading to personal breakthroughs and profound insights. It's a full spectrum experience – the poignant sadness, the righteous anger, the moments of peace, and the bursts of joy – sometimes with overwhelming emotions, but ultimately a testament to living life in all its messy, beautiful humanity.

This raw emotional state is what Brené Brown calls "sacred vulnerability." It's the concept that vulnerability – the willingness to be exposed and open – is the core of joy, connection, and creativity. It fosters accountability, hope, and authenticity. Vulnerability can lead to a clearer sense of purpose, a deeper spiritual life, and a place of truth where we are seen and known. This openness creates a space for soul-to-soul connection, a place where the mind and reason often fall short. Ultimately, only love, self-love and love for others, can embrace vulnerability without judgment. Unfortunately, vulnerability is often misunderstood or viewed as a weakness in our culture, perpetuating harmful beliefs and behaviors.

This past year has been a journey of self-discovery and healing. As a passionate cultural creative, I've delved deeper into my emotional landscape and philosophical musings. It's been a time of facing past traumas and letting go of habits – cigarettes and alcohol – that no longer support my well-being. I'm actively addressing and overcoming my mental health struggles with depression and anxiety with a sense of confidence. I’ve got my mojo back, for fucks sake! By reframing past challenges (or failures according to societal definitions of success), I've gained valuable wisdom, a wealth of experience and I’m even more steadfast than ever in my “radically practical” perspectives. I'm more eager to share my ideas than I was eight years ago. Perhaps the world is more ready to receive them.

I'm no longer seeking to be "well-adjusted" to a profoundly sick society. I embrace my renewed strength and courage and sacred anger as a peaceful warrior to flip this fucking paradigm. This shit’s got to go. No more fucking war and genocide and allowing the powers-that-be to have such power to destroy all life. We need to be vulnerable enough to find our sadness, feel into our depression, rise into our collective righteous anger and be mad as hell. We will not be saved by more bullshit jobs, more bullshit “conscious capitalism”, more greenwashed tech and AI, more “line goes up” bitcoin bullshit. Now we get up, stand up for the rights of all life. For this is where it begins…The Great Transition.

Being open with you at this moment, being vulnerable enough to share these intimate emotions, to you and the world, feels liberating, feels extraordinary. Empowering.

I've lately been experiencing my own consciousness bombs, safely, while exploring the healing potential of natural plant medicines and psychedelics, both for my own healing, but also for that of humanity at large, as there is so much collective intergenerational trauma.

These transformative experiences have ignited a passion for "sacred vulnerability" – a concept mirroring the under-recognized idea of "sacred anger" (explored in a future piece). Embracing vulnerability is more than just a personal journey; it's a call for global healing. Forging a world in balance – where both feminine and masculine energies, intellect and emotion (mind and heart) coexist peacefully – requires a shift in perspective. We, as divine women and men, must shatter the stigma around vulnerability and embrace it with open arms.

Vulnerably yours,

Troy

P.S.
Although I've been sidetracked by spending many hours creating a unique audiobook (coming soon), I realize that perfectionism shouldn't delay sharing. Each step in this journey, even the vulnerable ones, contributes to my growth and ultimately, to the collective healing of our world.