This lesson is for me, but you can sit in. Let’s start with some introspection and reality checks.
- Are you alive?
If yes, great. You’re 90% of the way there. If no, you’re being dramatic. Stop it. - This thing…is it going to kill you?
If no, great, you’re 90% of the way there.
If yes, this lesson isn’t going to be all you need, but feel free to sit quietly and listen anyway. - What’s the worst thing that could happen if things play out as you fear?
I’m not trying to make you dwell on the negative stuff. Just answer – you need it for the next question. - Can you recover from the worst possible outcome?
If no, remember that still being alive is 90% of the way. It’s really not that much further. Of course you can recover. Of course you can. - Is there anything you can do about this thing right now?
If yes, then…..do it.
If no, then, for now…for a little while, just for practice….let it go.
Since stepping out of the wilderness, all squint-eyed and confused, I have gathered a few concepts and ideas. A sampling:
- Don’t always try so hard to make shit happen. It’s not going to happen if you force it. If you allow it, however, it will likely come. It also might not happen in order to keep a spot open for something better.
- Don’t always try so hard to understand everything. Sometimes there is peace and relief in letting go of the need to put things into a box. Peace in just accepting them for what they are, as they are. It’s nice to look over at something – a person, a situation – and let it be, seeing it for its own intrinsic value rather than how it differs from what you think it should be.
- Labeling things or people can take away from your ability to see their essence. Are you good? Bad? Beautiful? Ugly? No. You’re you. And that is what’s beautiful. Your you-ness. Don’t forget your own essence and intrinsic value.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery;
ever desiring, one sees only the manifestations.
And the mystery itself is the doorway
to all understanding.
Tao Te Ching, Verse 1
TaoQuest 