It’s the kind of word we don’t see or hear much anymore: valiant. And its siblings valor, fortitude, gallant, and heroic. Or sayings such as “They had the courage of their convictions.” They almost sound quaint and a bit old-fashioned, like chivalry. Is the nature of valiance even a relevant consideration in a digital age?

Yes, absolutely. It’s actually easy to find people who believe that valiance, bravery, and determination are core values and virtues in a character formation that would lie at the heart of a regenerative life. Valiance is part of the natural strength and resilience found in the true inner nature of all humans.

In the face of global environmental and cultural crises, where people can live in fear for their fundamental safety and survival, valiance is the living defiance, a connection to our higher self that allows healing and recovery. Consider a ring of valiance: a global network of people with shared value for a natural character of courage and fortitude, and the platform of possibility it would offer to a better future.

In this conversation, several longtime Portals friends join Aviv Shahar for a bold exploration of the nature and place of valiance in this time of personal and collective transformation. Among their sentiments and perceptions:

• Valiance is the buoyancy of spirit that reclaims the power of choice. It helps resist the persuasions of history. Like using a smartphone, we can choose which applications we run.

• Imagine a huge ring of valiance spanning countries, races, and languages. These qualities are contagious from one person to another; you can inspire another human being to change.

• Practices that engender valiance include self-love and self-compassion, and basic gratitude to live in a world where we wake up every morning with the gift of consciousness and choice.

• Institutions that society has developed foster alienation, erecting larger and thicker walls because we don't trust each other. A ring of valiance enables us to feel safe and be our natural self with others.

• Valiance can help reset the basic biological response to better immunity by resisting compulsions that cause certain behavior. Valiance is a rejuvenation to the inner system.

• The privilege of human life is that it can, in the consciousness of its history, elevate its response before it’s needed. But it must be in place and ready; thinking is slower than reacting.

• Personal choice is a key thread; we can choose to be whatever or whoever we want; what we want to stand for, support, or donate our time to.

• Logotherapy is the idea that at any point in time you may view yourself through the eyes of anyone you choose. It could be a deity, or someone else, like a parent or a child.

• It’s the place where we may experience some of the finest sentiments and feelings of communion. If I say to myself "What is this place?" valiance is right there at the foundation.

• It’s seeing friendship and companionship as priestly functions; it's in our human divinity to serve each other.

• One of the things we're most afraid of is the unknown, and our future is always unknown. If we can get over our fear, the future becomes an open refining possibility.

This conversation is part of the continuing Portals discovery into what is emerging on the frontiers of human experience in this time of profound change. Information about upcoming special events can be found on the Events page. Also visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel.