Summary:
There isn't a single individual who doesn't feel lacking in some way. People feel they would be better off if they were wealthier, healthier, weighed more, weighed less, possessed more mansions, vehicles, luxuries, fair complexion, dark complexion, more height, less height, ...
On the emotional plane, we look for love, friendships, better relationships, validation, ...
Those among us in the chains of compulsive addictions try to find happiness by trying to break free of them...the list of addictions is quite long...
If we look at it, there'd be some part of ourselves or our lives that we'd like to change or have been trying to change.
To what degree have each of us succeeded is a subjective matter. You might say "I'm happy with my progress."
Let's discuss a simple change in perspective that can make change of any sort easier.
However, mind you,, this entails a change in our outlook towards life.
It involves accepting the temporal nature of human life.
Now, is that an unsettling thought? Scary perhaps?
It need not be, once you have confronted it.
Birth and death are happening all around us, all the time. Why is our birth and death so special?
It's a paradox--To really enjoy life and get all that you want, you must accept that life itself is temporary and fleeting.
Now you may be thinking, isn't this the world view of monks and nuns who have renounced the world?
I too thought so. I thought the way of the monks and nuns was one of negating the world and its manifold experiences.
However, interacting with experienced spiritual practitioners and perusing Zen and Yoga works have convinced me that it need not be.
Life is meant to be experienced..
If someone tries to find the ultimate reality by renouncing all experiences, it would be putting oneself to extreme stress and imbalance.
This does not mean that we should all be epicurean freaks, living a life of indulgence.
It means to fully engage with each experience that life presents to you--be it the tiniest like batting an eyelid or drinking a glass of water.
We normally dismiss the small mundane jobs as boring and try to get them out of the way as soon as possible, so that we can enjoy what we like to do best.
Allow me to ramble a little, as it is hard to crystallize these thoughts. I myself am on the path of discovery.
Here is a concept for you to ponder:
Everything is Consciousness.
(Saying God would be equally fine, instead of Consciousness, but some are allergic to that word).
This is a concept on which all religions agree. The definition of God includes Omnipresence. Infinite Consciousness is everywhere.
Everything is Infinite Consciousness.
That means you and I are also Infinite Consciousness.
So your thoughts and actions and feelings originate from the Infinite Consciousness.
Being attentive to whatever you're doing or experiencing...is experiencing God.
A zen master said: Your actions, emotions, thoughts....these are your treasures. Pay attention.
When you start to look at it this way, and maintain your observation moment to moment, you'll feel confusion, doubt, uncertainty dissolve, giving way to clarity and assurance.
* * *
The truth seeks itself
"http://selfdeveloping.blogspot.in/2010/09/truth-seeks-itself.html"
* * *
- Your thoughts and actions are not yours, they arise from the Consciousness. It is Consciousness that performs those thoughts and actions through you. And Consciousness experiences the consequences of those thoughts and actions, through you. OR
- It's just our accumulated tendencies playing out. There is nothing to do but witness it. If you can maintain awareness moment to moment, you have a freedom of choice.
There isn't a single individual who doesn't feel lacking in some way. People feel they would be better off if they were wealthier, healthier, weighed more, weighed less, possessed more mansions, vehicles, luxuries, fair complexion, dark complexion, more height, less height, ...
On the emotional plane, we look for love, friendships, better relationships, validation, ...
Those among us in the chains of compulsive addictions try to find happiness by trying to break free of them...the list of addictions is quite long...
If we look at it, there'd be some part of ourselves or our lives that we'd like to change or have been trying to change.
To what degree have each of us succeeded is a subjective matter. You might say "I'm happy with my progress."
Let's discuss a simple change in perspective that can make change of any sort easier.
However, mind you,, this entails a change in our outlook towards life.
It involves accepting the temporal nature of human life.
Now, is that an unsettling thought? Scary perhaps?
It need not be, once you have confronted it.
Birth and death are happening all around us, all the time. Why is our birth and death so special?
It's a paradox--To really enjoy life and get all that you want, you must accept that life itself is temporary and fleeting.
Now you may be thinking, isn't this the world view of monks and nuns who have renounced the world?
I too thought so. I thought the way of the monks and nuns was one of negating the world and its manifold experiences.
However, interacting with experienced spiritual practitioners and perusing Zen and Yoga works have convinced me that it need not be.
Life is meant to be experienced..
If someone tries to find the ultimate reality by renouncing all experiences, it would be putting oneself to extreme stress and imbalance.
This does not mean that we should all be epicurean freaks, living a life of indulgence.
It means to fully engage with each experience that life presents to you--be it the tiniest like batting an eyelid or drinking a glass of water.
We normally dismiss the small mundane jobs as boring and try to get them out of the way as soon as possible, so that we can enjoy what we like to do best.
Allow me to ramble a little, as it is hard to crystallize these thoughts. I myself am on the path of discovery.
Here is a concept for you to ponder:
Everything is Consciousness.
(Saying God would be equally fine, instead of Consciousness, but some are allergic to that word).
This is a concept on which all religions agree. The definition of God includes Omnipresence. Infinite Consciousness is everywhere.
Everything is Infinite Consciousness.
That means you and I are also Infinite Consciousness.
So your thoughts and actions and feelings originate from the Infinite Consciousness.
Being attentive to whatever you're doing or experiencing...is experiencing God.
A zen master said: Your actions, emotions, thoughts....these are your treasures. Pay attention.
When you start to look at it this way, and maintain your observation moment to moment, you'll feel confusion, doubt, uncertainty dissolve, giving way to clarity and assurance.
* * *
The truth seeks itself
"http://selfdeveloping.blogspot.in/2010/09/truth-seeks-itself.html"
* * *
Why we don't stick with our personal development program and what to do about it
- Absurd though it sounds, it's because we take up the doer ship of our actions. As per the above discussion, it is consciousness (God) that impels us to anything and everything. So why think that you are the doer? Think that Consciousness is making you do everything.
- What about mistakes/bad actions onyour part?
When you think in this way, it can be a bit unnerving. Consider an example:
Say X is trying to recover from alcoholism. He fails repeatedly. He blames himself for each failure and carries the misery. His condition doesn't improve because his thinking is confused.
But if he thinks that Consciousness wanted this experience through him, he can just relax and go ahead. Yes he may continue to drink. Consciousness also wants to experience the consequence of alcoholism through him. Karma will work anyway.
So what are the consequences? He will probably damage his liver and other organs in the process, and it can lead to painful disease and death. Consciousness wants these experiences through him.
So what are the consequences? He will probably damage his liver and other organs in the process, and it can lead to painful disease and death. Consciousness wants these experiences through him.
Thinking in these lines generates a genuine concern and will make us seriously reconsider our ways. Ultimately, confronting ourselves is the most effective way that forces us to change.
And who wants to sacrifice his or her life just because Consciousness wants that experience? Let the unaware ones play the sheep.
And who wants to sacrifice his or her life just because Consciousness wants that experience? Let the unaware ones play the sheep.
Modern saints who have expressed similar ideas:
Ramana Maharishi: When you have boarded a train, why continue to hold your luggage on your head? Just put it down and relax. The train will take you and your luggage to the destination.
Mata Amritanandamayi: Whatever you do, think that you are performing that action with the energy of God.
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