I’ve been a student of Thom Knowles for years, and his teachings have profoundly shaped my understanding of Vedic meditation and life. I have immense respect for him as my guru, and his wisdom has guided me on a journey toward greater clarity and calm. But sometimes even the best teachers might miss the mark – just a little. Thom recently shared his views on vulnerability, and while I get where he’s coming from, I think it’s worth expanding the conversation.

Let’s start with this: vulnerability has become a buzzword in today’s world, especially in self-help circles. People hear “open your heart, be vulnerable” all the time. Thom’s response to this was that invincibility is a higher ideal, and that vulnerability, at its worst, can turn into weakness. He likened it to a kind of emotional group therapy where everyone is just crying together. His point? Suffering comes from weakness, and the goal is to rise above that, to become invincible.

From a Vedic perspective, Thom’s argument makes sense. In the tradition of the unified field, invincibility is a quality to strive for – full capability, complete integration with the self. But here’s where I respectfully push back: vulnerability is not the opposite of invincibility; it’s a step toward it.

Instead of thinking of vulnerability as some second-rate option like syrup on a pancake, let’s consider it more like building muscle. When you go to the gym, you don’t start out lifting the heaviest weight, right? You start small, and with each lift, your muscles break down a little – there’s stress and vulnerability in that process. But it’s precisely through that breakdown that strength is built. The same goes for vulnerability: opening up emotionally might feel like breaking down, but it’s through that openness that we become stronger, more resilient, and yes, ultimately invincible.

In my work as a breathwork instructor, I guide people through trauma release. We work through deeply buried emotions, and after these intense sessions, we complete the cycle with a sacred circle – a space where people are encouraged to be vulnerable, to share their experiences. This vulnerability isn’t about weakness; it’s about healing. When people open up, they release what’s been holding them down, and that is what makes them invincible.

Vulnerability is not about rolling around in the mud for the sake of suffering. It’s about having the courage to sit with your emotions, to admit when you’re struggling, and to ask for help. When we do this, we don’t weaken ourselves; we empower ourselves. The etymology of “vulnerable” comes from vulnus, meaning “wound,” but the wound isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of being human. And the ability to acknowledge and heal those wounds makes us stronger, more capable, and yes, more invincible.

Look, I agree with Thom in many ways. Invincibility is the ultimate goal. But I see vulnerability as an essential step to get there. It’s the crack in the armor that lets the light in. And in a world where vulnerability is often shamed, particularly for men, it’s important to recognise that vulnerability is a part of growth, not a detour from it.

At the end of the day, I think we’re both after the same thing: wholeness, strength, and invincibility. But to get there, we sometimes need to break down the barriers that hold us back – and that requires a little vulnerability. After all, how can we grow if we’re not willing to be real with ourselves?