Working a lot with people in the broader fields we might call "enlightenment" and "self-development," one of the things that shocks/surprises people is the fact that consciousness — or mindfulness — *takes a lot of work.* It's not something you suddenly *"have,"* it's an ongoing *practice* that never ends.

"Knowing your self" takes effort; sometimes *years* of pretty rigorous self-inquiry that eventually might lead to that Baddhist-like state where you can simply sit and "observe" your own feelings and reactions as they arise, but without acting on them. Not even sure that constitutes being bulletproof, but it certainly makes life easier. Of course, some people get quite upset and reactionary in response to your unwillingness to engage in their chaos... at their level.