from Verse Fifty-FourThere is something that is not accomplished by those who seek to contrive, something that is not attained by those who seek. People get exhausted, and the Way does not come through to them.~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
Too often, when we each perform acts that are deemed good, compassionate or productive, we do so to garner praise and thanks. It's not that we aren't concerned for another person's needs or that we don't act to mitigate circumstances, but our focus -- though it appears to be outward -- actually is pointed inward. We act or speak to assuage one or more aspects of our ego.
When our attention is pointed at satisfying our own desires, we limit ourselves. Our field of vision is less broad. It becomes next to impossible to flow with a given situation if our egos are paddling against the current.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
When our attention is pointed at satisfying our own desires, we limit ourselves. Our field of vision is less broad. It becomes next to impossible to flow with a given situation if our egos are paddling against the current.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
This also applies to meditation.
ReplyDeleteEspecially with meditation:
ReplyDeleteSeeking to arrive at an imagined "state", one never can.
My own experience teaches that in the moment of releasing the desire for a result, then anything may happen. In giving up desire, I didn't arrive: I simply found myself there.
As for the original post:
Beware those who label themselves altruistic.