“Drop the idea of becoming someone, because you are already a masterpiece. You cannot be improved. You have only to come to it, to know it, to realize it.” ― Osho
I’d love to debate this point.
But then again, what’s the point?
Change is change, right?
You think (I’m guessing of course) that change means adopting a different lifestyle, new habits and biting off a bigger part of life.
But it won’t work…over the long term.
Think about it.
How many times have you changed direction only to come up short? You think everyone else has it sorted but not you. Trust me, they haven’t!
Have you ever considered your direct experience (of life), not to find happiness but in order to work out, as best you can, what the hell’s going on?
Oh, sorry, by the way, I should have said that whilst you operate from your thought-induced, limited self, you’ll never escape the tyranny of chasing happiness.
To be clear, I can’t know what Descartes meant when he said:
“Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”)
but it’s not true.
Just for a moment ask yourself a very simple question:
What is it that knows your thoughts, feelings and sensations?
And it’s an aware or knowing awareness: “I am aware”.
Your thoughts come; they go; and you, the body/mind, doesn’t create them.
This is radical.
What I’m suggesting is a disassociation from your thoughts.
I know this goes squarely against the personal development grain. You know the sort of space that says you can have anything you want if only you’d apply yourself.
But, again, let’s look at the reality of the situation.
Are you seriously suggesting that you’re in control of your thoughts any more than you’re in control of your heart, your lungs or your breathing?
Thoughts are no different.
But what does this mean apropos the way you live?
No, if — and it’s a big if — you apprehend this insight, then you may just find that you’re not so attached to your thoughts and that elusive elixir we call happiness (not as a thing) moves gently into view.
Have a great weekend.
Photo by Lorenzo Maimone on Unsplash
If you’re interested, I record a daily micro.podcast and a longer monologue where I explore in greater detail some of the issues in this post.
If you’d like to know more about my work and how I can help, please feel free to check out the archive and my services page. At the moment, I’m able to take on a few more coaching clients, and if you’re interested all you need do is email me or telephone using the details on my contact page.
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