Many years ago, I remember a teacher saying, "If you are busy digging holes, you will never find water."
I understood this as a concept, but to put it into action was a different story. I was so busy digging holes (always looking for a new course or technique that would fix me) and I had no intention of stopping. Maybe it was out of desperation? I'm not sure.
I do know that I really wanted to find peace.
It's easy to get trapped in concepts and stuck in our minds when on our spiritual path. It happens all the time, and it happened to me.
Without knowing, I was engaging my ego more, not less. I was in my head, striving to find what felt like the ever-elusive peace I so badly wanted. When I heard about a new course or teaching that made big promises I was there. I was 'digging holes' everywhere.
I was striving to be someone and experience something other than this moment.
I was busy doing rather than being.
But it takes as long as it takes. We are never behind schedule. I was meant to experience everything I experienced as part of my journey. No mistakes.
At some point, this wisdom landed in my heart. It was no longer just a concept, and I began putting it into practice. And today, that practice involves being present in the moment and keeping things simple.
A few weeks ago, someone asked me what brings me joy right now. I paused. I heard the ego voice say, Make sure it sounds good!'...I didn't listen. Then these words came from my mouth.
"Being in the moment, feeling my body, being more aware. It's the simple things that bring me joy."
This is my truth and it's a relief to come home to myself. Being more content in the now. Being in my body. Listening to my heart. For me this is freedom.
“The spiritual journey is not about acquiring something outside of yourself.
Rather, you are penetrating deeper and deeper into the essence of who you are.”
~ Adyashanti
In order to go deeper and find water (our true essence) we want to dig one hole. We commit to our practice, and in those moments when we feel tired or want to give up, we keep going.
When we are going deeper within it is not always comfortable. If hard feelings come up the ego will say 'It's not working. I'm not happy.' This is when the ego likes to convince us to dig somewhere else. Why? Because we are getting somewhere.
The path of self-discovery requires consistency and perseverance, and to the ego, simplicity sounds boring! But the truth is, there is great power in simplicity. It is where our freedom lies.
Get curious:
What if, at this moment, we let go of the need to change anything?
Feel that.
Does it feel like a relief? Is it calming?
Does it bring up discomfort? Is the ego saying, 'How will we do that?'
Welcome everything. It's all ok. It's information.
It is being here right now, with our breath, in this moment.
THIS creates change.
If a part of us is striving, it's not bad or wrong. Not at all. If I discovered this within myself, I would be interested in exploring and getting to know this part.
This part can dissolve into our true essence when it is met with compassion and understanding. Again, we are not fixing anything or getting rid of anything. We are practicing being here right now.
This is the power of simplicity.
With love,
Diane