| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| shawnsmith |
Posted - 01/10/2013 : 14:34:34
Random thoughts
by Shawn Smith
Jan 10, 2013 (Ottawa)
"When the student is ready the teacher appears," says a Buddhist proverb. The heart of the ready student is open to learning and receiving instruction and guidance. It is the case that all human beings require instruction and guidance from someone outside of themselves. I think this is one of the major lessons or reasons behind the appearance of prophets and other great teachers on earth.
Do not see your life or the time you spend in search of healing as wasted. The path towards healing is fraught with many difficulties and setbacks, but one can learn many things along this path if they are open to learning. Being filled with self-pity and bitterness will close the door to receiving instruction and understanding. Arrogance -- the embracement of the belief that one knows it all and cannot be taught -- is something one must avoid at all costs.
Pain is found in the body because there is a disturbance in the psyche --- this disturbance is in the unconscious and very little, if any, of it emerges into conscious awareness. Diving into the realm of the unconscious is like descending into the heart of a vast ocean during a dark and moonless night with no sense of guidance present. We search for hidden objects, never knowing in advance the outcome of our efforts, but also knowing that the effort is well worth it. For success is not in the finding, but in the searching. Ask anyone who has achieved some great thing after long and tedious effort. Yes, there will be a momentary feeling of exhilaration but it is followed up with a feeling of hallowness. For the search, with all of its difficulties and challenges, gives meaning and purpose in life.
We have been informed in advance that we would be tested. A great many tears would be shed and we would feel that our hearts were torn right out of our chests as the suffering would be so intense. We cry out in agony in search of relief -- we seek for it in many ways, until we are forced to become at peace with our own lived reality.
When I write for myself and seek to get to the core of what I am internally feeling, there is a richness -- almost a spirituality -- in what I write. But when I write for the purpose of someone else reading my words, then my writing takes on a different aspect or character which I cannot fully describe. It's like if I want to really write the way I want to, I have to pretend that no-one will ever read my words other than me. Then honesty can emerge as I am no under pressure to impress or please anyone else. My words and thoughts are a balm for me, no matter how incoherent they may seem to others.
I look at a beautiful person and the thought emerges in my mind that I would be happy and find fulfillment if I had that person in my life. But it is a lie. Sure, I may experience temporary pleasure as a result of a union with that person, but it is an illusion to believe that happiness and personal fulfilment can be found outside of oneself.
No matter how much suffering you go through -- peace and ultimate satisfaction with your life has to be found inside of you, but sadly many people never learn this lesson and die filled with bitterness and anger. |
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