Life is like the waves in the sea. Sometimes calm, sometimes wild and in constant change. We can’t hold on to the waves, but still we try all the time. We would like things to stay the way they are right now. But we can’t. When we observe nature, we learn that everything follows a perfect order. Only it is we ourselves who, because of our attachments and views, cannot always recognize it. Our view is clouded as if through dirty glasses.

I think that in general we spend too much time worrying about yesterday and tomorrow. We spend a lot of time with computers, TV and other media, keeping us busy, distracted from the present moment where life is really happening. Often we are only busy satisfying our senses and striving for happiness on the outside. We seem to have forgotten what peace, contentment and bliss really mean and where they come from. In truth, everything that is needed for this is already within ourselves. We just need to have the courage and the will to start looking and listening inward.

Circumstances

Our state and circumstances are usually a mirror of ourselves. It reflects the sum of all our views, thoughts, desires and fears that we carry and hold within us. We often define ourselves by the things we do and own, but rarely by what we are and the values we stand for.

Basically, we always have a choice. Even though we often, and sometimes willingly, think of ourselves as victims of a situation, the choice is always ours as to how we deal with it. Our feelings are a good indicator of where we stand in the current situation. Are we upset? Angry? Sad? Arrogant? Then the question becomes, what is one holding on to right now and not able to let go? What is one fighting for? Often for the self-created “I”, which is an illusion and deception.

Of course, this is not entirely accurate, nor should it be considered too absolute, because there are factors in life that we do not know and that we cannot influence. What we can influence, however, is how we face ourselves, how we deal with a situation, what we think, what we say and what we do.

Develop the mind of equilibrium. You will always be getting praise and blame, but do not let either affect the poise of the mind. Follow the calmness, the absence of pride.

Buddha Shakyamuni

The natural Flow

The universe and life are in a constant state of change. Our body is changing and renewing all the time, effortlessly. We don’t have to think about it to control our breathing or heartbeat. We don’t have to worry about the sun rising again tomorrow. When we observe nature, everything is also in a constant state of change. It is a perfect balance, a perfect divine order. Only when we humans try to hold things in place do we create pain and suffering. We are connected to the source in every moment. The life energy flows through us in every second. The energy is always clear and good, however, it is “filtered” by our views and belief patterns and thus receives its color…

Life is like the waves in the sea. Sometimes it is calm, sometimes it is wild and turbulent. It is a constant interplay, subject to constant change. We can watch the waves quietly with the knowledge that another wave will come soon. Maybe it will be bigger, maybe it will be completely calm. However, the mind, which likes to analyze, will want to hold on to the waves. Maybe it compares the waves with each other or wishes for a wave that it has seen before and that it particularly liked.

This parable is meant to represent how we often behave and think in everyday life. We try to hold on to things and in the process miss the moment and life itself. We are busy making comparisons and making plans. We often forget what we really want in our hearts and lose ourselves in superficial things. Then we do not manage to tackle our dreams. Of course, there is nothing wrong with planning something. To achieve your goals you need willpower and discipline. However, it is of no use to plan if we do not know where we want to go.

The path

One of the first and most important steps is to not identify with your thoughts. They come and go like the waves in the sea. However, do not fight with them either. Let them pass, just observe them silently. From the position of the observer, we automatically stop identifying with them. We take a step back and observe the situation. This change of perspective will immediately reveal a different picture.

Some interpret silence and tranquility as boring. This is understandable, since it may be new and you have no experience, definition or experience for “silence”. But silence contains everything. It is comparable to a painting: First, the artist has a white canvas in front of him on which he will create his work of art. In tranquility lies strength, says a proverb.

Silence creates clarity, it creates peace and holds an answer for some questions. When we learn to let go of our preconceptions and learn to trust, the answers will reveal themselves. Someone who is on an inward path automatically becomes calmer and more serene. However, this has nothing to do with coldness, passivity and indifference. In fact, by quieting the background noise of our thoughts and feelings, something much more sublime emerges; our true self can show itself. Instead of partiality and envy, compassion emerges. Instead of bossiness and competitiveness, forbearance emerges. Instead of lying and scheming comes truthfulness.

Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.

Lao Tzu

We have the choice where to focus and direct our energy. Some things we like more, some less. However, it is equal to the things, how we think about them. Often we do more harm than good by comparing and judging.

For more clarity and mindfulness in life, I suggest the following points for consideration:

• Be present with what is
• Do not judge, but observe silently
• Increase the moments when you feel gratitude & enthusiasm
• Take time regularly for stillness, but do not judge it, allow it to happen
• Feel worthy and valuable

What are your experiences on this subject? Let us know in the comments section and enrich this post with it.

Cover Image: © Jan Düblin – https://jd-photo.ch

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