We consider being flexible to be a good quality. And it is. But it certainly is not the highest state for that quality. That would be being inclusive.
To be flexible means to compromise. It means being ready to make concessions. Which is all good but when a thought consisting of "I am compromising/making concessions" arises it puts one off balance. As it attacks the ego straight away (either boosts it or hurts it). And both of those are killers.
On the other hand, being inclusive is being flexible in the fullest way possible without the feeling "I'm being flexible" ever creeping up. By being inclusive I am being open to every thought, every person, every circumstance, every outlook and every opinion. I am not compromising or making concessions. I am being open. To everything. Period.
An analogy that probably attempts to compare the two (and somewhat poorly at that) is that of a river flowing along its course and the ocean. A river, if it finds an obstacle along its route, either goes around the obstacle (it itself gives in --> acts flexible) or takes the obstacle along with it (forces the other to give in). On the other hand, an ocean just accepts everything that flows into it. It is being inclusive. There is space for everyone and everything.
Just like that ocean an inclusive mind/soul does the same. It has space for everyone's opinions, thoughts, comments, brickbats and bouquets.
Be flexible. But don't stay at that. Move further out. Be inclusive.
To be flexible means to compromise. It means being ready to make concessions. Which is all good but when a thought consisting of "I am compromising/making concessions" arises it puts one off balance. As it attacks the ego straight away (either boosts it or hurts it). And both of those are killers.
On the other hand, being inclusive is being flexible in the fullest way possible without the feeling "I'm being flexible" ever creeping up. By being inclusive I am being open to every thought, every person, every circumstance, every outlook and every opinion. I am not compromising or making concessions. I am being open. To everything. Period.
An analogy that probably attempts to compare the two (and somewhat poorly at that) is that of a river flowing along its course and the ocean. A river, if it finds an obstacle along its route, either goes around the obstacle (it itself gives in --> acts flexible) or takes the obstacle along with it (forces the other to give in). On the other hand, an ocean just accepts everything that flows into it. It is being inclusive. There is space for everyone and everything.
Just like that ocean an inclusive mind/soul does the same. It has space for everyone's opinions, thoughts, comments, brickbats and bouquets.
Be flexible. But don't stay at that. Move further out. Be inclusive.
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