In my last post I ended with this comment: But there are others who seem to have everything and get it almost miraculously. We sometimes ask what about me? Why is that guy doing so well and is so rich while bust a gut working for chump change and am not getting anywhere?
Today I will address this kind of question. There are actually many different forms for this question. There tends to be many answers as well. Most often this kind of question is asked by people who are struggling, rather than those who are doing well. That is no big surprise. There is an old saying that "money can;t buy happiness, but it sure makes being miserable a lot more comfortable.
I will spend the next few posts looking at this subject from several angles. Today, I want to talk to the idea that we are responsible for our place in life. Now that concept covers a broad range. On the one hand, some teachers limit the responsibility to how we feel about our situation. For example, how we feel about being laid off, they say, is entirely in our hands. We can be angry, acceptant, stressed out, etc. But whatever, we feel, we choose to feel.
There is a lot of truth in that idea. We suffer not because of what happens to us externally, but how we choose to process it internally. Now, keep in mind, that being upset at losing a job can indeed be stressful and feeling nervous and anxious is perfectly normal. However, how we feel and ultimately deal with situations will help move us through the world. We may be constantly bitter and angry at all of the stuff we have to put up with. Such bitterness creates an aura around us. It affects how we see the world and how we see others. It can turn us into victims. Feeling helpless in a sea of troubles. That affects how we respond and ultimately how much we enjoy life.
We all have" troubles" that is, situations that appear difficult for us. Yet, we can deal with them in a positive manner too. In that way, we can move past them with a minimum of suffering.
Doing that can put us in charge of our lives. It can turn us from a helpless victim into a problem solver.
So, the next time a "problem" shows up on your doorstep resolve to work it out in an enlightened manner and you may find it to be much less of a problem that it first appeared.
The next time, I will discuss a more radical version of the "responsibility" theory, which says we are responsible for everything that happens to us. We are also responsible for who we are because we chose our lives before we were born.
Till next time then,
MrT
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
The trap of Doing nothing part 2
In my last post I talked about the paradox of "doing nothing". The idea is that we must surrender to the tao (the universe, god, the force or whatever you wish to call it) if we are to be at peace, or to gain understanding, or to reduce our problems, etc.
As I said in the last pose, however, surrendering, does not necessarily mean "not doing". On the contrary, the Tao requires us to act. The idea that we can-or should- simply sit back and let our lives just happen is simply wrong. The story from the last post is an example of that. In the story the may is seen bobbing in the river happily letting the river take him where ever the river wants to take him. The idea being that the river knows where it is going and will take the man where he is supposed to be.
The problem with that kind of thinking is that the tao (universe, force) has no mind. Contrary to popular belief, it has no plan for you or me. Rather, it is an energy that can be used to make things happen. Going back to the man in the river, the river has no mind to carry the man. It flows in a direction. It is up to the man to use the river to get to a destination. Now, here is where it gets complicated. You see, desire does not fit into the flow of the tao. Yet, it does. To say one must be desire-less is somewhat disingenuous. THat is because as humans, we have real needs. We need food,water, air, protection from the elements, etc. So, does wanting these things put us at odds with the tao? Not exactly. First of all, obtaining needs is in conformance with the tao. All creatures in nature survive by going out and getting what they need. So acting to provide food, clothing and shelter is in accordance with the Tao.
The problem arises when we seek to obtain things that we do not have the internal power to have. This causes strife, frustration and suffering. Also, when we desire something sooner than is possible for us to have it, we suffer.
Acting in accord with the tao takes awareness. Awareness of your needs, an awareness of the timing for when we need those needs. It also requires an openness and a readiness to act when the tao delivers what we need to us.
Many people suffer because they do not see the new opportunities open to them. They so not comprehend that it is time to move on. Staying in a job, a relationship or a place after it has given us what we need can cause problems. When the universe wants us to move to the next place we are supposed to be, and we don't recognize it, the suffering we experience may be be seen as a message to move on. Thus, we suffer.
This is an example of just "going with the flow" like the man in the river. Some see the suffering as some kind of lesson and allow it to continue because they assume that is acting in accord with the universe, even though it is the opposite.
I think it is clear that knowing how and when to act is difficult. It is not as simple as just letting things happen. It is also not blindly setting goals and launching ventures that come to nothing and leave us frustrated and burned out.
Learning how to read the universe is part of the training that one undergoes. It is part of the process. Some people never learn (or at least learn very slowly). For them, life can be a struggle from beginning to end.
But there are others who seem to have everything and get it almost miraculously. We sometimes ask what about me? Why is that guy doing so well and is so rich while bust a gut working for chump change and am not getting anywhere?
I will discuss that situation next.
Mrt
As I said in the last pose, however, surrendering, does not necessarily mean "not doing". On the contrary, the Tao requires us to act. The idea that we can-or should- simply sit back and let our lives just happen is simply wrong. The story from the last post is an example of that. In the story the may is seen bobbing in the river happily letting the river take him where ever the river wants to take him. The idea being that the river knows where it is going and will take the man where he is supposed to be.
The problem with that kind of thinking is that the tao (universe, force) has no mind. Contrary to popular belief, it has no plan for you or me. Rather, it is an energy that can be used to make things happen. Going back to the man in the river, the river has no mind to carry the man. It flows in a direction. It is up to the man to use the river to get to a destination. Now, here is where it gets complicated. You see, desire does not fit into the flow of the tao. Yet, it does. To say one must be desire-less is somewhat disingenuous. THat is because as humans, we have real needs. We need food,water, air, protection from the elements, etc. So, does wanting these things put us at odds with the tao? Not exactly. First of all, obtaining needs is in conformance with the tao. All creatures in nature survive by going out and getting what they need. So acting to provide food, clothing and shelter is in accordance with the Tao.
The problem arises when we seek to obtain things that we do not have the internal power to have. This causes strife, frustration and suffering. Also, when we desire something sooner than is possible for us to have it, we suffer.
Acting in accord with the tao takes awareness. Awareness of your needs, an awareness of the timing for when we need those needs. It also requires an openness and a readiness to act when the tao delivers what we need to us.
Many people suffer because they do not see the new opportunities open to them. They so not comprehend that it is time to move on. Staying in a job, a relationship or a place after it has given us what we need can cause problems. When the universe wants us to move to the next place we are supposed to be, and we don't recognize it, the suffering we experience may be be seen as a message to move on. Thus, we suffer.
This is an example of just "going with the flow" like the man in the river. Some see the suffering as some kind of lesson and allow it to continue because they assume that is acting in accord with the universe, even though it is the opposite.
I think it is clear that knowing how and when to act is difficult. It is not as simple as just letting things happen. It is also not blindly setting goals and launching ventures that come to nothing and leave us frustrated and burned out.
Learning how to read the universe is part of the training that one undergoes. It is part of the process. Some people never learn (or at least learn very slowly). For them, life can be a struggle from beginning to end.
But there are others who seem to have everything and get it almost miraculously. We sometimes ask what about me? Why is that guy doing so well and is so rich while bust a gut working for chump change and am not getting anywhere?
I will discuss that situation next.
Mrt
Saturday, July 25, 2009
The trap of Doing nothing
A friend chided me a few days ago about a comment I made to her. She had told me of a bunch of troubles she has had to endure. I said perhaps she should tell the universe that "she got the lesson and it can back off".
She pointed out that it was not productive to argue or to try to persuade the universe that she got the lesson. The universe will do what it wants anyway.
Of course, she is right. That said, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of inaction by always "going with the flow".
What does that mean? One of the problems I had in studying Taoism years ago is that for many western writers, Taoism was a religion for retired people because it is based on the principle of inaction. Another way of saying it is " Do nothing and all will be done". Now, many people take that literally. We must do nothing. Just sit and contemplate (like the old man at the end of Siddhartha. That, of course, is nonsense. The Tao requires actions from people-the right action.
The cryptic saying really means that we must act in accord with the Tao (or the universe or whatever you wish to call it) rather than going against it. Christians and Muslims often speak of "doing God's will" or placing oneself "into the hands of God".
Often times it means letting things happen naturally-not fighting fate or the inevitable. However, that is too simple and often leads to a trap. Simple letting things happen is not necessarily the best course. It may work for leaves fluttering to the ground, but it does not work well for people.
You would not get on a boat, head out to see and simple let go of the wheel and let the sea take you to where you want to go. That will probably get you killed. Similarly, the old story of of the two guys walking along a coursing river and seeing a guy on the other side skipping and whistling? Suddenly the happy travelor was swept away by the coursing waters and was seen bouncing amidst the rocks as he sailed pell mell downstream. The other two men began shrieking and appealing to the Heavens for intervention. Then, the river just as suddenly spit out the congenial soul farther down, and he shook himself off and continued whistling. The two men caught up with him and asked incredulously, 'Good Heavens, we thought you'd be killed, were you not afraid?!" The unassuming travelor said, "Oh that, well, no, I just surrendered and let the river take me where I was headed anyway." Sounds good, but sometimes, there is a waterfall in the way and the results may not be so great.
This leads to the next logical question, which is "OK, if I am supposed to act, how do I do it?
I refer to Lao Tzu once again. In his verse 8, titled "water" he says:
The best of men is like water;
Water benefits all things
And does not compete with them.
It dwells in (the lowly) places that all disdain -
Wherein it comes near to the Tao.
In his dwelling, (the Sage) loves the (lowly) earth;
In his heart, he loves what is profound;
In his relations with others, he loves kindness;
In his words, he loves sincerity;
In government, he loves peace;
In business affairs, he loves ability;
In his actions, he loves choosing the right time.
It is because he does not contend
That he is without reproach.
Contemplate that until next time, where I will elaborate on this question.
Mr.T
She pointed out that it was not productive to argue or to try to persuade the universe that she got the lesson. The universe will do what it wants anyway.
Of course, she is right. That said, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of inaction by always "going with the flow".
What does that mean? One of the problems I had in studying Taoism years ago is that for many western writers, Taoism was a religion for retired people because it is based on the principle of inaction. Another way of saying it is " Do nothing and all will be done". Now, many people take that literally. We must do nothing. Just sit and contemplate (like the old man at the end of Siddhartha. That, of course, is nonsense. The Tao requires actions from people-the right action.
The cryptic saying really means that we must act in accord with the Tao (or the universe or whatever you wish to call it) rather than going against it. Christians and Muslims often speak of "doing God's will" or placing oneself "into the hands of God".
Often times it means letting things happen naturally-not fighting fate or the inevitable. However, that is too simple and often leads to a trap. Simple letting things happen is not necessarily the best course. It may work for leaves fluttering to the ground, but it does not work well for people.
You would not get on a boat, head out to see and simple let go of the wheel and let the sea take you to where you want to go. That will probably get you killed. Similarly, the old story of of the two guys walking along a coursing river and seeing a guy on the other side skipping and whistling? Suddenly the happy travelor was swept away by the coursing waters and was seen bouncing amidst the rocks as he sailed pell mell downstream. The other two men began shrieking and appealing to the Heavens for intervention. Then, the river just as suddenly spit out the congenial soul farther down, and he shook himself off and continued whistling. The two men caught up with him and asked incredulously, 'Good Heavens, we thought you'd be killed, were you not afraid?!" The unassuming travelor said, "Oh that, well, no, I just surrendered and let the river take me where I was headed anyway." Sounds good, but sometimes, there is a waterfall in the way and the results may not be so great.
This leads to the next logical question, which is "OK, if I am supposed to act, how do I do it?
I refer to Lao Tzu once again. In his verse 8, titled "water" he says:
The best of men is like water;
Water benefits all things
And does not compete with them.
It dwells in (the lowly) places that all disdain -
Wherein it comes near to the Tao.
In his dwelling, (the Sage) loves the (lowly) earth;
In his heart, he loves what is profound;
In his relations with others, he loves kindness;
In his words, he loves sincerity;
In government, he loves peace;
In business affairs, he loves ability;
In his actions, he loves choosing the right time.
It is because he does not contend
That he is without reproach.
Contemplate that until next time, where I will elaborate on this question.
Mr.T
Friday, July 24, 2009
So how DO you know?
In my last post, I talked about being too sure of oneself. The idea that we knowwhat we are doing, when in fact, we really don't.
So, as the title asks, just how do we know? Well, simply put, we "know" when we are enlightened. That is what enlightenment means. Of course, that does not say much.
When one is enlightened, one is fully awake and aware. Knowing in that state is not an intellectual act, but a physical one. We do not have to think about it, we just know. It is like asking what is 2+2? Most adults don't have to reason with that question, they know the answer. There is no doubt. there is certainty.
People who are not enlightened tend to think of themselves as "knowing". I know, I was like that too. Yet, deep down, I knew it was not true. I has too many unanswered questions. I was not sure. I asked "is this really it?" "Is there any thing more?" The answer would come back inevitably "no, I am not sure". ANd the path continued.
Once you become enlightened, however, ll doubt is gone. You understand. No, you don't "know everything". You just know the important thing-the reality of the universe.
Now, there are people who today move through life with no doubts whatsoever-at least that is what they say. Once again, Sarah Palin is a prime example (only because she is in the news). She says often she holds true to her beliefs, she does not doubt them. However, her beliefs belie her true knowledge.
People who believe in the literal meaning of the bible are not enlightened-they are ignorant. That does not make them bad people. They simply lack the awareness to know better. They are in that particular level of awareness.
So, beware overconfidence. Being enlightened has nothing to do with adherence to religion-any of them. They are lower level tools helpful in gaining understanding but are not the truth.
They are also dangerous traps. Being enamored with a religion, mysticism, eastern philosophy, the Bible, the Koran or any worldly texts, can be dangerous. It can lead one into a stare of stasis. Where the fun of belief takes over and the desire to know gets overshadowed.
As I said in my last post, meditation, for the all the good it does, is not awareness-no matter how good it feels or how much you may enjoy it.
Next time I will continue with this theme-it will discuss what is the purpose of knowing.
So, as the title asks, just how do we know? Well, simply put, we "know" when we are enlightened. That is what enlightenment means. Of course, that does not say much.
When one is enlightened, one is fully awake and aware. Knowing in that state is not an intellectual act, but a physical one. We do not have to think about it, we just know. It is like asking what is 2+2? Most adults don't have to reason with that question, they know the answer. There is no doubt. there is certainty.
People who are not enlightened tend to think of themselves as "knowing". I know, I was like that too. Yet, deep down, I knew it was not true. I has too many unanswered questions. I was not sure. I asked "is this really it?" "Is there any thing more?" The answer would come back inevitably "no, I am not sure". ANd the path continued.
Once you become enlightened, however, ll doubt is gone. You understand. No, you don't "know everything". You just know the important thing-the reality of the universe.
Now, there are people who today move through life with no doubts whatsoever-at least that is what they say. Once again, Sarah Palin is a prime example (only because she is in the news). She says often she holds true to her beliefs, she does not doubt them. However, her beliefs belie her true knowledge.
People who believe in the literal meaning of the bible are not enlightened-they are ignorant. That does not make them bad people. They simply lack the awareness to know better. They are in that particular level of awareness.
So, beware overconfidence. Being enlightened has nothing to do with adherence to religion-any of them. They are lower level tools helpful in gaining understanding but are not the truth.
They are also dangerous traps. Being enamored with a religion, mysticism, eastern philosophy, the Bible, the Koran or any worldly texts, can be dangerous. It can lead one into a stare of stasis. Where the fun of belief takes over and the desire to know gets overshadowed.
As I said in my last post, meditation, for the all the good it does, is not awareness-no matter how good it feels or how much you may enjoy it.
Next time I will continue with this theme-it will discuss what is the purpose of knowing.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The trap of being sure of oneself
Sarah Palin is a shining example of what happens to us when we become too sure of ourselves and are not aware beings. Aware beings are never too sure of themselves because they are aware.
Palin, like many others makes decisions based on a number of things that affect her. She sees herself as a victim of the media, yet she revels in the media attention. She sees herself as a fighter, yet can't wait to get out of her job. She sees herself as family oriented but uses her family for her own personal gain.
Palin is a very public example, but countless others – mired in obscurity –follow the same pattern. They live their lives in a tempest bouncing from one problem to another, seeking attention and then complaining because it is not what they were really looking for.
The problem is that they are too sure of themselves, which leads to making major mistakes, which causes them to condemn all around them without realizing that they are the cause of their difficulties in the first place.
Lao tzu says this about that– from verse 9:
9. The Danger of Overweening Success
Stretch (a bow) to the very full,
And you will wish you had stopped in time.
Temper a (sword-edge) to its very sharpest,
And the edge will not last long.
When gold and jade fill your hall,
You will not be able to keep them safe.
To be proud with wealth and honor
Is to sow seeds of one's own downfall.
Retire when your work is done,
Such is Heaven's way.
Overdoing anything can only cause problems– but note that he is talking about overdoing things that ordinarily are not mistakes. Tempering a knife edge is important–but overdoing it leads to problems. You get the idea.
Many people following a path to enlightenment fall into the same trap. Take meditation. Now, meditation is a very useful tool. zIt can be used to remove blocks, to get centered, to silence the voices of ego that too often push us into going too far. However, meditation is not being in the world. It is a way f escaping from the world. As such, it limits our ability to be aware beings. Believe it or not.
Being aware means being aware of everything around you at all times. This is not easy until one wakes up. No matter how heard one tries, one cannot "wake up" in meditation. They can only wake up when the complete meditation.
The next time you are in deep meditation have your guide tell you that when you wake up you will be fully awake and aware of the world around you.
Have him or her tell you to be aware of the expression on your face. Waking up that way may pull you into a state of enlightenment.
And that is the goal.
Mr. T
Palin, like many others makes decisions based on a number of things that affect her. She sees herself as a victim of the media, yet she revels in the media attention. She sees herself as a fighter, yet can't wait to get out of her job. She sees herself as family oriented but uses her family for her own personal gain.
Palin is a very public example, but countless others – mired in obscurity –follow the same pattern. They live their lives in a tempest bouncing from one problem to another, seeking attention and then complaining because it is not what they were really looking for.
The problem is that they are too sure of themselves, which leads to making major mistakes, which causes them to condemn all around them without realizing that they are the cause of their difficulties in the first place.
Lao tzu says this about that– from verse 9:
9. The Danger of Overweening Success
Stretch (a bow) to the very full,
And you will wish you had stopped in time.
Temper a (sword-edge) to its very sharpest,
And the edge will not last long.
When gold and jade fill your hall,
You will not be able to keep them safe.
To be proud with wealth and honor
Is to sow seeds of one's own downfall.
Retire when your work is done,
Such is Heaven's way.
Overdoing anything can only cause problems– but note that he is talking about overdoing things that ordinarily are not mistakes. Tempering a knife edge is important–but overdoing it leads to problems. You get the idea.
Many people following a path to enlightenment fall into the same trap. Take meditation. Now, meditation is a very useful tool. zIt can be used to remove blocks, to get centered, to silence the voices of ego that too often push us into going too far. However, meditation is not being in the world. It is a way f escaping from the world. As such, it limits our ability to be aware beings. Believe it or not.
Being aware means being aware of everything around you at all times. This is not easy until one wakes up. No matter how heard one tries, one cannot "wake up" in meditation. They can only wake up when the complete meditation.
The next time you are in deep meditation have your guide tell you that when you wake up you will be fully awake and aware of the world around you.
Have him or her tell you to be aware of the expression on your face. Waking up that way may pull you into a state of enlightenment.
And that is the goal.
Mr. T
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
On Sarah Palin quitting her job.
Most aware people know by now that the Governor of Alaska has quit her job.
How does quitting a job fit into an enlightened life? Some may say that you should follow your bliss and leave jobs, relationships, etc in order to find what truly makes you happy. The problem with that kind of thinking is that it presupposes you know what it is that truly makes you happy AND that what makes you happy is truly harmonious with the universe. Now, Sarah Palin is not an enlightened being. She is an ambitious being. She is not happy doing what she is doing, she is only happy in doing something else. She also enjoys Being in the spotlight. Neither of these traits is a mark of enlightenment.
Now, how does this fit into an enlightened life? For starters one who is enlightened tends to migrate to what is joyful. This does not mean that one is always joyous or that one does not get exasperated at times. Enlightened beings do get exasperated. But, they are always aware of their feelings and surrounding and can react to the situation from an aware position instead of a subconscious automatic response. Remember enlightened beings are still human and their emotions do not disappear when one becomes enlightened.
Most enlightened people are not centered on other people or being in the spotlight. hey usually seek peaceful places and are completely comfortable with solitude.
If you are in a situation where emotions control and you are driven by external forces and desires such as "to be appreciated" or to be "in the spotlight" you are trapped in a worldly existence. The best way out is to pull back and shift your focus away from being driven by the outside forces and by learning to find harmony and joy in whatever you do.
Finally, you would well to remember that, as Wayne Dyer says "you cannot control your reputation". What others think of you is out of your hands. What you do control is your character. If you live your life honorably and in harmony with things, that will come through and when bad things are said about you, people will recognize that those things are false.
That is the best way to remain peaceful and harmonious as you move through life.
Mr.T
How does quitting a job fit into an enlightened life? Some may say that you should follow your bliss and leave jobs, relationships, etc in order to find what truly makes you happy. The problem with that kind of thinking is that it presupposes you know what it is that truly makes you happy AND that what makes you happy is truly harmonious with the universe. Now, Sarah Palin is not an enlightened being. She is an ambitious being. She is not happy doing what she is doing, she is only happy in doing something else. She also enjoys Being in the spotlight. Neither of these traits is a mark of enlightenment.
Now, how does this fit into an enlightened life? For starters one who is enlightened tends to migrate to what is joyful. This does not mean that one is always joyous or that one does not get exasperated at times. Enlightened beings do get exasperated. But, they are always aware of their feelings and surrounding and can react to the situation from an aware position instead of a subconscious automatic response. Remember enlightened beings are still human and their emotions do not disappear when one becomes enlightened.
Most enlightened people are not centered on other people or being in the spotlight. hey usually seek peaceful places and are completely comfortable with solitude.
If you are in a situation where emotions control and you are driven by external forces and desires such as "to be appreciated" or to be "in the spotlight" you are trapped in a worldly existence. The best way out is to pull back and shift your focus away from being driven by the outside forces and by learning to find harmony and joy in whatever you do.
Finally, you would well to remember that, as Wayne Dyer says "you cannot control your reputation". What others think of you is out of your hands. What you do control is your character. If you live your life honorably and in harmony with things, that will come through and when bad things are said about you, people will recognize that those things are false.
That is the best way to remain peaceful and harmonious as you move through life.
Mr.T
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