The opinion man forms of his own prudence is measured by that of the company he keeps. I am required to learn how to get satisfaction out of being an adult, which, in some ways, I have started to do—some of the things we talked about last week. I had been grow up and learn to be happy in the moment. Some satisfying activities are going to the art museum and touring historic mansions and castles, I also enjoy nature. I just enjoy being with you and that is perfect for me. I am seeing that I can be invested in you and not totally lose my identity, because I think my identity is getting stronger. The transformation process proves exhilarating. A person combines the vital self in the pieces with the intended self of the parts. One becomes more truly one.  #RyanPhillippe 1 of 11

I really have something to offer people—my enthusiasm, my openness, my willingness to learn, plus some real intelligence that I was willing to put work in this situation. I also made some decisions—nothing Earth-shattering, but simple and real. Whether or not to go to a party when I feel the requirement to study—but before it would have been hard for me to decide. The ambivalence was still there—I still am required to study—to stay in the room alone and study with no big regrets. Sometimes I feel very much like a helpless baby, wanting to curl up with your arms around me. Some days there is a little regression, maybe it marks the more adult relationship growing between us. #RyanPhillippe 2 of 11

We have been practicing pure listening, which is supposed to create an affinity for bringing about more successful interpersonal relationships. We listen to each other and do not add anything, nor take away any meaning from what is being communicated. I feel like this listening is pure because you hear me without any interference. There is no static between us. We get things exactly as they are. When you listen to me with this degree of purity, it is like you are a blank slate because you are not judging me nor jumping to conclusions. You are like a clear mirror, receiving exactly what is communicated—nothing more and nothing less. #RyanPhillippe 3 of 11

Normally, most people listen to others with a filter of reactions and assessments. Whether or not we overtly express them, we constantly validate and invalidate what people are saying and doing. However, validation and invalidation also have more subtler expressions. For example, simply thinking “I understand” is a form of agreement. Saying “Yes” or even just nodding can be interpreted as a signaling agreement. In contrast, spacing out, looking restless, or just thinking “How much longer are they going to go on?” are forms of invalidation. #RyanPhillippe 4 of 11

When we listen through a screen of judgments and assessments we distort the natural flow of people’s experience. A beneficial listening pumps energy into a construction. A negative listening takes energy away. Whenever we agree with someone, we tacitly encourage them to continue what they are doing. Our contribution prolongs an emotional or intellectual construction by giving it attention and beneficial energy. On the other hand, when we disagree we interrupt the flow of someone’s experience. We undermine a construction.  #RyanPhillippe 5 of 11

When we listen from nothing, we hear everything. We are in an equal and intimate contact with ourselves and the people with whom we are in communication. There is no distinction between ourselves and others. The space of pure listening contains all speaking and listening without privileging either. Communication arises as a beautifully coordinated display of nonmanipulative speaking and listening. It is the only form of communication that respects the integrity of the speaker and the listener. And the only form of communication that can take us beyond our conditioned identities, into an experience of the unconditioned mind.  #RyanPhillippe 6 of 11

Healing occurs through the practice of noninterference. When we let things be as they are, contracted emotions can often dissipate more quickly than if we meddle and interfere. The ability to let things be, without judgment or reflection, is an important component of the spiritual journey. We simply create space around a problem, and let it run its course and dissipate of its own accord. Do not condition your mind by trying to suppress your experience, apply an antidote, or mechanically transform it, but let your mind fall naturally into whatever condition you find it. This is the incontrovertible essence of what is officially meaningful.  #RyanPhillippe 7 of 11

Open up the possibility of liberating disturbing thoughts and feelings by doing nothing! This is called self-liberation or natural release. How does this work? Behind every experience of suffering is resistance. We are either resisting what is happening, or resisting losing it. When we identify what we are resisting and let go, we are immediately free and complete. For as long as we resist, our suffering persists! Emotions and limiting beliefs liberate naturally from within themselves once they are experienced without resistance. When there is nothing to fight against, there is no fight. There is no struggle. Instead there is peace and freedom. This is a very gentle way to release suffering and conflict.  #RyanPhillippe 8 of 11

The conflict is stopping. We simply stop trying to confront or avoid what we are experiencing. We let go of the tremendous amount of energy we expand, each and every day, trying to control and manipulate existence. We are creating an environment and there is a natural release of fixed beliefs and frozen emotions by offering each other an open and nonjudgmental space that lets things be, just as they are. This is an extremely respectful way for us to work with each other because we are not judging where we are now, or how we should be. We give permission for things to be exactly as they are. With this we experience freedom and release. #RyanPhillippe 9 of 11

Giving permission for things to be as they are does not mean that everything is perfect. However, I believe you are perfect as you are. Sometimes acknowledging who we are, as the starting point of our relationship, and once we recognize who we are, there is no one else we can be—nor any requirement or possibility to be anyone else—and hence the fulfillment of our path. At the real point of departure there is no where else we are required to go. However, often we cannot just let go of our resistance in one bold gesture. It feels too risky. However, we can learn to recognize the point where problems naturally dissolve. #RyanPhillippe 10 of 11

Each time we energize a potentially stressful situation we also have the opportunity to let it return to a harmonious state. We have to tune into the points where problems and heavy emotions begin to dissolve by themselves. By recognizing this process, we can return to an equilibrium and balance. We recognize the seed of harmony that rests at the heart of every conflict and anticipate the blending and dissolving of conflictual beliefs before they disturb us and throw us into alienating and painful situations. A pleasant mood and the ensuing good health are the biggest capital for happiness. Wish you a cheerful mood and longevity.  #RyanPhillippe  11 of 11