What do we want? To live a life of peace and contentedness, in touch with ourselves (and each other) and in harmony with the planet?
Or a life of continuous dissatisfaction, discontent and unease, polluting the planet and over-consuming its resources, even though it makes us feel no better at all?
Yeah, easy choice right?
Or is it?
You know what tends to get in the way of mindful living? This whole pain-in-the-butt “I need something more” belief. You know the one, right?
The one where we keep dreaming, “I’ll be happy one day when …” The one that keeps us striving and struggling our way through our days looking for the next thing and the next, hoping that this next thing we’re straining at will finally fill us up.
This belief douses the flame of mindfulness and drowns out the full technicolor 3D aliveness and flattens it into a 2D humdrum “just gettin’ by” experience.
I’ve heard every version of this pesky belief (and said a lot of them myself too).
Do any of these sound familiar?
When I get this car, this holiday, this job ot this achievement, maybe that will finally make me happy and whole inside.
When I lose weight, achieve my potential, when I find the right person (which then often becomes when I get rid of this person), when I have kids (which then becomes when the kids leave home), when I retire — then finally I can relax and be at peace and find wholeness.
What’s your own story of “I need something more?”
This unconscious belief is a doozy. It keeps us looking for the fulfillment in the two places it can never be found. Outside ourselves and in the future.
It’s a game we can never win. Why? Because it is the exact opposite of the truth.
Happiness can only ever be found in the here and now and it arises from within.
This is the essential message of all wisdom traditions, it’s what all their parables, preaching and practices are all about it. It’s what mindful living is all about. It’s all about the outrageously exquisite discovery that everything you’ve ever wanted is right under your nose.
So the invitation is this — stop seeking.
I’m not saying stop doing and creating and enjoying life. I’m saying this — realize deeply that doing things and getting things and having things does not bring us lasting fulfillment, peace and joy.
Things can’t fill us up or make us feel whole. It’s a simple sobering truth.
How do you stop seeking? By simply recognizing those “something more” beliefs when they arise and recognize them for what they are — just thoughts. Not reality. Not the truth. Not something we have to play out. Not something that has to make our life into a stressful series of tasks we must get done.
Each time we discover that belief arising, we can smile at it, drop it, then take three deep, slow conscious breaths, returning our awareness to the present moment and the magnificent miracle of life unfolding right in front of our eyes.
In returning to ourselves and our lives in this way, we can make the discovery that all the beauty, all the love and all the peace we ever wanted was here all along, if we’d only open our eyes to see it.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy 11 Ways to Bring More Mindfulness Into Your Life Today.
Do you want to live an easier, happier, and more fulfilling life? Get ready to watch your obstacles disappear as Stress Reduction Journey guides you to effortless joy i. Leverage the power of the miraculous energy that permeates all of existence to create the life you want, and learn how to:
- Effortlessly fulfill your desires by aligning them with the flow of the universe
- Open and activate the power of your seven energy centers, called Chakras
- Discover who you are meant to be and start living your purpose
- Tap into the powerful energy within to uplift yourself and everyone around you
Beautiful soundscapes harmonize with Stress Reduction Jourrney’s daily message, mantra-based meditations, and centering thoughts. Experience the magnificent power of your true self with Stress Reduction Jourrney!
No comments:
Post a Comment