This week we're talking about vulnerability – the experience of being susceptible to wounding, and the value of embracing that capacity as a strength rather than as a weakness. We talk about both the risks and rewards of allowing ourselves to be vulnerable – to injury, criticism, embarrassment, and more.

We explore the potential of moving beyond a state of armored self-protection in the service of forging deeper, more satisfying connections with others, with ourselves, and with the experience of being alive. Finally, we offer some simple experiments to help you explore the potential gifts of vulnerability in your own world.

"Vulnerability" Episode Highlights

• The difference between "elective" vulnerability (risking being hurt by people we know or whose approval we seek) and exposing ourselves to dangerous situations
• The physical manifestations of always being armored against vulnerability, as well as the stress state and health implications that result
• The deep human need to be accepted – how our fear of public speaking (concentrated social judgment) outweighs even our fear of death
• The vulnerability conundrum: Our tendency to hide those aspects of ourselves that are most likely to form the basis for authentic connection
• The vulnerability fallacy: Our flawed belief that assiduously protecting ourselves will spare us from experiencing pain
• The difference between sharing sensitive information about our historical experience vs. expressing current emotions surrounding that experience
• Tips for navigating vulnerable situations and relationships, and for maintaining boundaries while softening our habitual armor
• The importance of discernment when deciding with whom to be vulnerable, and the rewards that can result when both people are willing to take risks

Get full show notes at http://livingexperiment.com/vulnerability/