What Keeps Us from Shedding

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What Keeps Us from Shedding

A Right to Renewal

Mark Nepo explains we all have a right to renewal. We have a right to shed. He shares a Melanesian tale that maintains humans were once immortal and cast their skins (like snakes and crabs) and to renew their youth. That changed when, after a Melanesian women had shed her old skin for youthful skin, she was not recognized by her child who immediately started to cry. She then decided to wear her old skin once again to soothe her child. After that, humans were not able to shed their skin.

Note: There are parallels between this story and the Christian story of Adam and Eve and original sin. (I am sure someone has already made this comparison, but I will offer my thoughts.) The central choices are made by women. Innocence is lost in both. There is an eternal negative consequence for humankind as a result of the choice. And, there is probably also a connection between renewal/shedding and sin.

What Keeps Us From Shedding

Shedding and renewal are deeply connected to our capacity to be vulnerable. When we are vulnerable we sense safety and open ourselves to being laid bare. When we are vulnerable we act from courage not doubt. When we are vulnerable we know truth in our bones. Vulnerability is the strength found in renewal. When we can’t or won’t allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we rob ourselves of the gifts of shedding, renewal, and life.

The Whole Right to Renewal

Beyond the literal shedding of skin, I want to suggest that shedding and renewal include our capacity to forgive ourselves and others, to start again, to make better choices, to reject shame, and to move forward. Within this broader understanding of renewal, what is gained is as elemental as new skin it goes to the deep parts of us that choose to live life and love with our entire hearts.

https://kitt.global/march-29-what-keeps-us-from-shedding-mark-nepo-the-book-of-awakening/