Sublime

Lauren Cory

When you feel calm and regulated and in that state of ventral vagal, something really cool happens. Self-criticism fades. Why? Because compassion and self-judgment can't coexist. Stephen Porges (theorist behind Polyvagal Theory) says that when you're in a state of fight or flight, it's impossible to enter the portal of compassion, because that ... See more

By the way, the “correct” response to any situation is the most skillful one available according to current capacity. And that fluctuates a lot. It’s fine.

Boy, turns out you really probably do need to cultivate a strong sense of self before you can no-self properly.