We are rational, reasonable people. We make choices and chart a course based on the best information available. We use critical thinking, we weigh the pros and cons, and we make a decision knowing that we are the ones responsible for our path.
We know this, but what really motivates our decisions?
Often we have goals for the future. We have bigger plans for ourselves and try to make sure that we can enjoy our future. We think that the underlying motivation for our decisions is based on our future goals, but what if it was actually from our present fear?
What if our decisions are influenced by a fear lurking in the shadows of our mind that we haven't even acknowledged?
What if all of our goals and plans are based on this unspoken fear?
We live our lives charting a course, thinking that we are making our way to happiness, but what if every choice and every action is really just another maneuver to escape our fear? If we never turn and face it, will we ever truly be free?
What does it mean to be self-reliant if our minds are always preoccupied by fear?
Clarify your practice. Let your practice clarify you.
Showing posts with label plans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plans. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Readily available.
So often we have big plans.
In order to make an impact and matter we seek out large scale projects and initiatives. We need non-profits and funding and community outreach and social platforms for that change to grow.
What if we simply planned on being more available?
What if our project was to be available when others needed a hand,
if they needed advice,
or a shoulder to lean on.
What if you were always ready, always available when others needed you? What if everyone shared this same willingness and preparedness?
What would suffering, problems, mental illness and inequality look like if we lived in a community of openness and acceptance?
You might be the one we are looking for.
In order to make an impact and matter we seek out large scale projects and initiatives. We need non-profits and funding and community outreach and social platforms for that change to grow.
What if we simply planned on being more available?
What if our project was to be available when others needed a hand,
if they needed advice,
or a shoulder to lean on.
What if you were always ready, always available when others needed you? What if everyone shared this same willingness and preparedness?
What would suffering, problems, mental illness and inequality look like if we lived in a community of openness and acceptance?
You might be the one we are looking for.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Neurotic.
Oh, how we love distraction.
It makes us feel normal again. The constant busyness, the doing. It makes us feel secure, in control, like we run this show.
The compulsion to move- itch that finger or ear, check our email, our phones. Check Facebook, check the news, watch a show. Call, text, move, shift, sort.
All this because we are uncomfortable. Uncomfortable. We are irritated, this baseline subtle irritation that never really goes away.
But we feel good when we keep moving.
We might complain about always being busy. All the things we have to do or should do. But really this is what we want, to keep doing. Because the opposite is scary.
When we are not doing, all the irritation rises up. It shows its ugly face.
When we are not doing, we realize how uncomfortable we are. We become aware of how painful our life is. Likely we don't know how to deal with this situation, so we enter flight or fright mode. And we run. Or at least we move.
Our society wonders why we suffer from so much anxiety, depression, loneliness and sadness. Why are our lives unfulfilling, why do we feel like we are being constantly bombarded from all directions?
Because we are. And we are running.
Stop running. Train your mind. That is what it means to have a spiritual practice.
Clarify your practice. Let your practice clarify you.
Commit not a single unwholesome action,
Cultivate a wealth of virtue,
To tame this mind of ours,
This is the doctrine of the Buddha.
Buddha Shakyamuni
It makes us feel normal again. The constant busyness, the doing. It makes us feel secure, in control, like we run this show.
The compulsion to move- itch that finger or ear, check our email, our phones. Check Facebook, check the news, watch a show. Call, text, move, shift, sort.
All this because we are uncomfortable. Uncomfortable. We are irritated, this baseline subtle irritation that never really goes away.
But we feel good when we keep moving.
We might complain about always being busy. All the things we have to do or should do. But really this is what we want, to keep doing. Because the opposite is scary.
When we are not doing, all the irritation rises up. It shows its ugly face.
When we are not doing, we realize how uncomfortable we are. We become aware of how painful our life is. Likely we don't know how to deal with this situation, so we enter flight or fright mode. And we run. Or at least we move.
Our society wonders why we suffer from so much anxiety, depression, loneliness and sadness. Why are our lives unfulfilling, why do we feel like we are being constantly bombarded from all directions?
Because we are. And we are running.
Stop running. Train your mind. That is what it means to have a spiritual practice.
Clarify your practice. Let your practice clarify you.
Commit not a single unwholesome action,
Cultivate a wealth of virtue,
To tame this mind of ours,
This is the doctrine of the Buddha.
Buddha Shakyamuni
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