What is our deepest fear?

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is out light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other perople won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory of God within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we consciously gove other peoploe premission to do the same. As we are liberated from out own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Nelson Mandela, taken from his 1994 Inaugural Speech as President of the Republic of Africa

I recently came across this when going through some papers. The first time I read it, I thought it was an interesting take on the fears of people. But looking over the piece again, I find some of his points disputable.

Certainly American and Western societies, as I know them, are not afraid of being "brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous". Their success in doing so is another matter...
Nonetheless, I feel like Mandela's audience is more limited then he thinks("everyone"). This could aptly depict his people though, to which it certainly would apply, who were just emerging from an era of oppression.

so..thoughts? Are you afraid of your "light" as Mandela defines it?

i think you must be high. what does american and western societies have to do with not being afraid of their 'light'? What light? And your vaguely hinting other nations are afraid of their light?

Yes, and Sometimes it was done with killin, appropriation, oppression, etc. You make it sound all so innocent and filled to the brim with integrity.

aah, are you a christian? If so, what ship did you fall out of?

I'm sorry, I dont think my point came across correctly.
What I was trying to say is that those societies seem to be almost overly-consumed with their desire for being 'enlightened', or 'fabulous', 'gorgeous', etc., though, as said, their success is debatable.
I'm not trying to say some countries have more ambition then others, but doesn't the amount of fear fluctuate between nations? Are they intensified more so in different places of the world-for instance, those who take the ability to attain power or enlightenment for granted, as opposed to those who (previously or currently) are/have been stripped of this right?

Nelson Mandela is a Communist who drove his country into the ground.

Excuse me if I disregard anything he says.

I'm sorry, I dont think my point came across correctly.
What I was trying to say is that those societies seem to be almost overly-consumed with their desire for being 'enlightened', or 'fabulous', 'gorgeous', etc., though, as said, their success is debatable.
I'm not trying to say some countries have more ambition then others, but doesn't the amount of fear fluctuate between nations? Are they intensified more so in different places of the world-for instance, those who take the ability to attain power or enlightenment for granted, as opposed to those who (previously or currently) are/have been stripped of this right?

so you think the desire for power, might, and money is a defining character of enlightenment? Lol.

Read up on Tibetan history. It might give you a new angle to consider.

No, I don't. That was the way Mandela seemed to put it, though I don't think that was the impression he was trying to give off, either.
Stop twisting my words. I know very well that enlightenment and power are unrelated.

No, I don't. That was the way Mandela seemed to put it, though I don't think that was the impression he was trying to give off, either.
Stop twisting my words. I know very well that enlightenment and power are unrelated.


I am not twisting anything huney, you're just backtracking on second thought because you know you showed your true colors. You just implied western nations are concerned about being enlightened, gorgeous, and fabulous. Interesting choice of words. That last two are completely superficial and commonly relate to looks or wealth, but on top of that you used "enlighten" which is like an cheap travesty to connect the three. You think being gorgeous and fabulous is being "enlightened?" You don't have to answer that, I can tell you are so deep.

Look, this argument is insignificant and we both know it. I am asking about an opinion on MANDELA'S words, not my own. If you don't wish to reply to it, I am by no means forcing you to. I may be mistaken, but it seems you're just picking a fight.
If you really want to critique my use of diction and syntax, keep it to yourself. Please refrain from posting here, lest you should choose to respond to the real purpose of this thread, which I would appreciate hearing if you chose to do so.
This thread was started in regard to examining a view of the deepest fears of people, not in regard to how I or even Mandela define "enlightenment," which, OF COURSE, has nothing to do with being, gorgeous, fabulous, etc. In case of future misunderstandings, when I said "enlightenment or power," it did not mean the two were synonyms, but rather either enlightenment or power, as Mandela used both as examples of what people may fear posessing.