transparency

As humans, we are invasions of consciousness into the animal realm. We seem to do fine with the animal part but have difficulty with consciousness. When fully conscious, fully aware, all ground can drop beneath our feet. We like to dummy down so as to feel more secure. This is a tough situation. Not fully animal. Not fully aware. A naked ape clothing itself in whatever comfort it can find. The best of us solve this by walking around wide open, transparent.

But there is one out of ten, they say, so sure of life
That tiger and wild bull keep clear of his inland path,
Weapons turn from him on the battle-field,
No bull-horn could tell where to gore him,
No tiger-claw where to tear him,
No weapon where to enter him.
And why?
Because he has no death to die.
--Lao Tzu (The Old Dude) Tao Te Ching

This passage from Lao Tzu reminds me of a bit of Samurai wisdom: The best defense is total vulnerability.