Too often we search and continue searching in the exterior for a way to be as I have already stated before: Unless we come to terms with be-ing who we are, everything will be futile. Moving in the arena of attempting to grasp and then hold on to it; is somehow a failed venture because we are seeking in the wrong place.
Sometimes, that search is in projects and yet as existentialists would always remark that once a project is complete, another surfaces. And there is an endless on-going search. In a way one cannot ever come to terms with oneself. It is a constant onwards movement or desire to be so; as consciousness is thus that we can never be fulfilled at least not via projects. Likewise the other provides little comfort precisely as it is the other: Not quite the self which we are. Or, more precisely the non-self, ‘annata’ to coin a Buddhist term. The Buddha had remarked ‘anicca’ translated as impermanence as being one of the three marks of existence thus delineating that one may not quite fulfil that search in others whether animate or inanimate. However, the naïve perpetually seeks it in similar projects whether in affection for one’s kins or any type of love even if this be of the altruist agape of the type that Christians speaks of. Or for that too leads one to a self-satisfaction and done for an ulterior motive where one seeks some or other form of accomplishment and forces one to move elsewhere on towards other forms with the process back to square one That process of being back to the beginning is never truly appreciated as more ardent searches go on.
How does one then choose to be and make sense of this overwhelming maze? Some have observed just be or precisely observes as Jiddu Krishnamurti would always emphasise in his discussions/dialogues as a kind of watching the self may well lead on towards one self where everything begins. In a way, one always begins at the self who we are. In life one takes a professional path and engages in projects which yield gratification. A second adopts a religious path. A third opts for a patriotic path. Someone else may seek to engage in a multinational path. Whatever it is, we always seek to be that which we are not whilst the search is more at ‘elsewhere’ but never where it should matter. Some are genuine and at least show some concern. Others not so. Some belittle others. More of that in my next blog on saliency….
Seek within exclaims the wise and not within the beta level of outer consciousness as the latter yields to disaster but then we are confronted in that maze and within that we are ensnared and appear to get lost in projects and so may not quite know where to turn to; There is a frustration of being within the exterior. Observe, observe and observe; The truth is within you. Grasp it and the search comes to an end with peace abound emanating and radiating from the self that we are. Miss it and you are submerged within the ocean of materialism and its whims which misleads you into frustration but importantly you are thrown in the arena of confusions. And one may also become confounded and not knowing where to search…..
That search is not an exterior path. The outer would provide some temporary solace. Vaishnava sages often observe that ‘for a flickering moment of happiness; I have wasted so many years serving men’. The Prophet Muhammad spent a large part of his early life in contemplation away from the crowd. Jesus took some forty days whilst refreshing his self. Moses, on his journey towards the Promised Land, decided to take leave of his compatriots for a while when the commandments were revealed to him. Henry David Thoreau took solace every morning in reflecting. Gandhi likewise would bathe himself in spiritual thoughts before encountering others.
The idea of moving onwards and forwards is not a simpleton at being submerged within reactionary forms and just relate as and when a tune is called upon but rather when that tune verily forms part of that transparent self with the life flow emerging from it from within perceived in being rather than being simply overwhelmed by and or reacting to forms about us.
Or more precisely, for us the agenda is slightly different. There is a running away from what we should be staring at. The most important person is ignored. It is not nurtured. Swami Vivekanada has remarked that pray pay a little attention at least once daily to the most important person in your life ‘That is you’. When was the last time one paid some attention to the self that one is. I do not definitely mean, annointing of lotion to the physical self for beautification and or reading a self-development book/literature for mental improvement. Is it not worthwhile the effort turning towards that self which one is? Allocating some quality time to that spiritual being which is beyond the material, physical and mental where one encounters the self; face to face, deeply in be-ing ; rather than running here, there and everywhere…
Are you ready to take that leap forward? In encountering that self who we are really; not what some else has said but through a process of self-discovery not in the known where there is confusions; not in projects which are temporary and which changes from age to age, time to time and even within moments but of that which we are.
Back to the self is precisely having that dialogue that self-dialogue which makes us stop, pause and reflect in our innermost being not physically or mentally but actually..
If you are ready for this, then dialogue may begin. A self-dialogue makes us stare with the self who we are rather than engaging in hundreds of physical projects and or engaging with any kind of projects even if those be helping others. Neglect of the self- means neglecting life even. Sacrifice needs to takes account of the self. One cannot try to change others unless one changes the self or it would be an exercise in hypocrisy. Or fight for a cause where one does not even know oneself. The blind may not lead the blind or there will be disaster. Just pause and consider momentarily even at the intellectual level. Look at the state of the world. Others about us: their daily struggles whether it be for basic survival or attempting to create another better world through their pre-conceived views in their world. Can one be free of confusions, hypocrisies and just be?
So are you quite ready to face up to that self who you are?