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For nothing

“When someone seeks, then it easily happens that his eyes see only the thing that he seeks, and he is able to find nothing, to take in nothing because he always thinks only about the thing he is seeking, because he has one goal, because he is obsessed with his goal. Seeking means: having a goal. But finding means: being free, being open, having no goal.”

- Hermann Hesse

Meditation gives you what you need, not necessarily what you want, and definitely not what you expect. The same might be said about life.

The trouble comes when we’re not innocent, when we have a demand or an expectation of an outcome. If you become present and let go of your expectations, then the trouble goes.

You have a goal, you have an intention or whatever, but it’s almost like you allow it to fulfil itself. You dream, do, act, say, all of that, just let go of what happens next. Attachment to an outcome shrinks your perspective, creates resistance and then hurts.

So when you meditate, don't do it to get - anything. Don't do it to get rid of your thoughts, don't even meditate to have peace or to rest. Don't do it for any reason or for any result, just do it and see what happens.

In life, don't anticipate any result from anything that you do or say. Notice especially when you do or say something in order to get something for yourself. Instead, choose and let go. Act and let go.

Try it. If you do so, you will find it – ironically to the mind – very rewarding.

Running around like a blue-arsed fly this Christmas?

Take a breather, honestly. What is your reason for the season?

Our whole lives are spent in a whirl wind of activity, of chasing and becoming, of doing. Why not make Christmas a time for doing the opposite? Why not make it about remembering how all of life can be, if we so wish it?

Christmas is about the return of the light. Literally, in terms of the re-birth of the sun after the shortest, darkest days in the northern hemisphere, and figuratively, in terms of the return of the Christ.

Why not make it about return and remembering? Celebrating the big picture. Taking time out. Giving thanks. Giving gifts because you want to express your love, not because you have to.

Instead of rushing about even more, go ahead and enjoy yourself. Be full of presence and stillness. Go slower. Take time to celebrate with your friends and family.

At the end of the day, what is the most important thing to you?

What a difference an attitude makes. The world does not owe you anything. On the contrary, you are absolutely blessed to be here.

Every moment that you are simply alive is nothing short of a miracle.

Realise that and you will be so filled with gratitude and awe you will never demand anything ever again.

Have strong opinions but carry them lightly. Be open, receptive and flexible.

Make no demands. Have preferences, strong ones if you wish, but insist not. Hold onto nothing, set nothing in stone.

Your opinions are not you. Your beliefs of how things should happen are not you. All beliefs are simply an idea of what is true from your point of view at this point in time.

The truth is much closer to you than any belief.

Hold onto nothing - take nothing seriously.

Happiness does not lie in things. Happiness comes from gratitude for things.

Having more things is not the key to happiness. Appreciating what you do have is.







Image: http://singlemomwithlove.com/goodness-gracious/

the courage to be open

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
~ Winston Churchill

Following your heart is good, but make sure you're listening to your heart and not your head.
Checking in with the people around you is invaluable. Being that open to reflection is not the easiest thing to do, but its better than getting lost.