In the corporate world, teams are taught to build SWOT analyses for their solutions – listing out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The theory is that once you understand where you stand relative to your competition, you can plan accordingly.

Likewise, in relationships and personal development, people assess their own strengths and weaknesses, from which a perspective of self-worth is subsequently developed.

Yet how often is that viewpoint focused on our limitations?

If only I had _____, then I’d be able to achieve my goals.

If it weren’t for this _____ that holds me back, I would be much happier.

Or the limitations of others?

If he/she would just _____ instead of _____, then our relationship would be so much better.

Such is the nature of limitations – they stand front-and-center in our lives commanding our attention and lamentation – whether they be the weaknesses of our own body/situation or someone else’s.

Yet everyone here has severe limitations. We are born with lungs that have very limited capacity requiring an intake of oxygen every few seconds. Likewise with our stomachs and their incessant need for food. Not to mention the body’s strong desire for companionship from other bodies lest loneliness ensue. And ultimately, this severely limited entity will die.

Our bodies were made to be limited. From the perspective of the ego, bodies are the perfect mechanism for proving this is real and that I am capable of suffering. But when viewed from the right-minded thought system of oneness, our limitations serve a different purpose.

Do not despair because of limitations. It is your function to escape from them, but not to be without them. That is why you came. (M-26.4; T-18.IV.2)

From this perspective, our lives shift from trying to remove or minimize our (or other’s) limitations to instead transcending them. We see that everyone here is suffering from their limitations, and the pain behind their (our) behavior calls for kindness, not attack.

Instead of allowing limitations to hold us in a state of pain, guilt, and hate – our purpose is shifted to one of gentle compassion and extension of love. Join us in Monday’s class where we’ll explore how our limitations can be used to awaken from the dream of isolation, despair, and sadness rather than keeping us further rooted in its grips. I look forward to seeing you then.