Being an Oasis for Others

The philosophical approach that I follow to engaging the social world around us would be to help others feel comfortable in our presence in order to help alleviate stress in both the internal and external worlds. To be a body of freshwater in a desert of overwhelming anxiety. To be a welcoming sign of relief. To be a divine refuge in times of struggle.

For others, they may experience this as not being worried about judgment and ridicule for introversion or full expressiveness. To being understood and cared for without fearing it becoming transactional. To not being judged or abandoned for our moments of weakness or strength. This is true compassion.

But in most cases this isn't enough. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Completely blinded by past traumas and the expectations that the environment around them fully demands, they are unable to recognize that there is no longer a need for fear.

In essence, others might take your invitation to relieve suffering as being a sick twisted mirage that intimidates, taunts and threatens their very being. This is a delusion.

In these moments, they are so fully hypnotized by a narrative that means to protect them from perceived harm. The simplest way to pull someone out of this constructed illusion would be to break rapport. To crack a joke or a smile.

By exposing them to the illogical nature of their delusion, they may now recognize that what they perceived as reality shouldn't really be taken seriously. This breakthrough moment allows one to taste detachment. To end suffering.