What You Seek is Inside

Have you ever wondered why different people dream of different things? I mean, why do some people dream of wealth while others -- who may not be wealthy in the financial sense -- dream of something totally different? Or why do some people yearn for that ideal life partner, while others really don't care that much about idealistic romantic love at all?

Is it because we're all so fundamentally different that we yearn for different things?

Well, that's possible, sure. And that's probably what most of us believe: we're all different, we all have different paths in life, different perspectives and levels of awareness, and all of these differences influence our personal dreams.

But...look deeper into this. Though it's unarguable that, on the surface, many of us want "different things" -- the person who dreams of money is, without question, desiring something different than the person who dreams of a fulfilling relationship, but to simply stop our observation at this level is somewhat short-sighted. Yes, the objects of desire are indeed different, but the ultimately goal is amazingly similar. It's more than amazing; it's staggering.

You see, at the deepest level of our being -- prior to our beliefs, our thoughts, our interpretations, our logic, our language -- we all want the same thing. What differs, quite dramatically in some cases, is how we think we can achieve it.

What we all want, in the deepest core of our being, is to simply be. We can call it "peace" if we want, but even that term may not be that helpful, since in so many ways "peace" is seen as a commodity; something that is to be achieved in the future, or protected, or fought for, or whatever. It's hardly viewed as a state of being; it's really more of a political word than a mystical one, and has been for quite a while.

But, really, if you truly go inside yourself and see, what you really want is to feel whole; to feel integrated. To feel at peace with yourself; to feel alignment. And to achieve that wholeness, that integration, that peace, you think that there is one "optimal way" -- which is through money, or relationships, or something else.

In other words: you want to go from point A to point B, and you think the only way to do it is through [enter desire here]. You're convinced -- self-hypnotized, perhaps -- that your desire is the only way to get there.

The problem is...

You often get what you wanted, but you don't achieve the integration, the wholeness, the PEACE that you wanted. And when that happens, it's ridiculously easy to find many reasons for it: something hasn't fallen into place, things didn't work out the way that they "should," other people are being needlessly difficult, luck is bad, or whatever.

The root, core misunderstanding is simply that you thought you needed something that you didn't need -- and so when you get it, even if you get more than you wanted, you never actually needed it in the first place. You needed integration, wholeness, peace. THAT'S what you want; you just think that there's only one "optimal" way to get there.

Experience will tell you -- if you pay attention -- that your being is much more energized by present moment attention than it ever will be to future-oriented desire. That's why little children are so remarkably happy -- they haven't learned about future yet. They haven't lost track of the present moment; they live in the now.

By all means, desire wealth if you wish, or a fulfilling relationship. Why not? But don't ask of them things that they cannot give to you.

Find your peace now, in the now. That's where it is.

And then, build from there.

Life is a How, not a What

Modern life tends to blur things together, such that we start to focus on particular events. The "stuff" between those events, therefore, tend to be reduced to nothing more than a means to that end.

For example, we may look at "the year ahead" and isolate 10 or so key dates -- dates which, in a way, shape that particular year. A baby may be due, a birthday may be imminent, a graduation, a performance review, a vacation, an operation...anything. And even if we shorten the time span -- say, to a month, a week or sometimes even a day -- we can tend to view the passage of time as nothing more than avenues that lead to a particular outcome; a "thing" on a list that needs to be crossed off.

This, we must admit, is good for efficiency. It gets "stuff done" (whether all of that stuff actually needs to get done is another question). But, without question, this "to-do list" or "event-centered" approach to life is rather efficient (especially compared to, say, an ostrich or zucchini; neither of which have to do lists or personal organizers and therefore never get anything really done).

However...

Life is not about to do lists. It's not an output-based phenomenon; it's a process. And that means that the how of what you do is more important than the what; because in the truest sense of the word: there is no what, there is only how. The "what" then becomes, simply, a way of seeing the "how."

So ask yourself: are you living a what or a how?

Leave Space for Wonder

We've touched on the idea of "wonder" a few times -- and, well, why stop at a few times? Really, we could devote an entire blog to nothing but wonder and we'd hardly even scratch the surface. Wonder is...large.

The thing is, most of the "adult world" -- regardless of where you live -- is dominated by reason and scientific cause-and-effect thinking. In fact, it underlies our cultures so much that we don't even notice it; it absorbs and in some ways co-opts even those pursuits that are traditionally thought of as abstract or, you know, out there; things like fine art, or dance, or poetry, or music, and so on. So it's really, in a way, greater or lesser degrees of left-brain dominated behavior. It's the very lens through which we see our worlds.

Because of this lens, we tend to distance ourselves-- if not outright reject or ridicule -- the idea of wonder; the idea that things can happen synchronistically (or "acausal"); that there is indeed logic, but above our logic is an even higher logic -- a kind of logic about logic; a metalogic, we could say, that is quite "logical" unto itself, but to us, appears as...strange as human language must seem to the family dog.

The consequence of this "no wonder living" isn't that wonder somehow disappears from the planet; it's that we become immune to it; oblivious to it. And we stop allowing ourselves to participate in a world in which...strange, wonderful things can happen. And then we resign ourselves to living in a world with no surprises, with no strangeness, with no unbelievable things -- with no wonder.

Bring little pieces of wonder back into your life. Always leave ROOM in your life for the wonder to show up. Yes, you may have a serious job and have serious things to do -- that's fine. But deep inside your heart, remember the basic fact that life itself on this planet is fundamentally, uncategorically, unarguably ABSURD whether you're a creationist or evolutionist or whatever-ist else you could be. It just really doesn't make sense.

And, hopefully, it never really will.

You Cannot use the Law of Attraction

The Law of Attraction is very, very, very, very old. It's flat out ancient; and it goes by many names. However, it's largely because of The Secret that some places in the world -- such as the US -- are talking loudly and publicly about the Law of Attraction and its related/associated elements. This is, of course, good -- I mean, think of what people could be talking about? Hurting other people? Blowing things up? When you think of all of the ridiculous and potentially horrific things that folks can talk about, by all means, talking about The Law of Attraction is really a good idea.

However...(yes, there's usually a however, isn't there?)

The "appearance" of The Secret in the west -- again, particularly the US -- has brought with it what I'd call a rather US-Centric view of things; kind of like when you're on vacation and order a food that is native to your country of origin (whatver that country may be), and find that while it's somewhat the same, it has been interestingly transformed and "adopted" by the local culture. We can say without offending anyone that this has indeed happened with the Law of Attraction in the US.

Specifically, the cultural US approach to things is, typically, based on the concepts of achievement, initative -- of taking something and changing it. It's a very extroverted, active approach to living; and, naturally, to self-help too.

As a result, the US-based approach (and I don't mean this politically or in an offensive way -- it's just an observation) to The Secret is -- unsurprisingly -- one of invoking it; of somehow "using" the Law of Attraction. Of, in a way, "conquering reality" through the law of attraction, just as, say, one could conquer medical health through scientific laws or conquer poverty through economic (behavioral or sociological) laws.

I'm not here to criticize this at all -- criticism is the wrong word. But I am here to politely suggest that this approach to the Law of Attraction is fraught with fundamental errors; and many people who approach it this way -- this aggressively -- will find that it doesn't work for them.

The Law of Attraction is not a tool; it's not a piece of information that a person can use to their advantage -- like a hot stock tip. The Law of Attraction is a law; which means that it works all of the time regardless of whether you invoke it or not.

Think of the law of gravity. Do you need to "command" the law of gravity to work if you (unfortunately) fall off a ladder? Would your denial of the law of gravity somehow prevent you from falling? No. The law of gravity works for you, it works for your ladder, it works for anything you had in your pockets as you fell...it works. It more than works; it is. Even if you weren't there -- even if you weren't falling -- the law of gravity still is.

Many people simply don't have the right approach to the Law of Attraction -- because, again, in US culture (and yes, it's other places too), information like this is typically perceived as knowledge -- as tactical or strategic. In other places -- India, for example -- such laws are quite ordinary, really -- they're simply a part of everyday life. The idea of "doing something" with them is as absurd as trying to "do something" with the law of gravity. It just is.

Try to understand this on the deepest level of your being: the law of attraction is prior to your beliefs. It is. It doesn't need (or require, or want) you to invoke it -- it's not a skill. It's like a person knocking on your door all day long. You can simply open the door to let them in. You don't have to go and find them, manipualte them to come to your house, and pay them (or envision them) to knock on your door day after day. It's happening already.

Instead of "invoking" the Law of Attraction, start to receive it -- simply welcome it, just as you "welcome" the law of gravity -- you don't even think about the law of gravity, you simply know it's there. You don't even bother with it. You don't envision the law of gravity. You just accept it as part of reality.

The Law of Attraction is the same thing. Even if there were no people on earth (and who really knows what's going to happen), the Law of Attraction will still be in effect; just as the law of gravity will be. It's not about what YOU can do, it's about how you can actively and alertly RECEIVE the law of attraction in your life.

Try it. See what happens.

Small Steps = Big Results

The temptation to experience rapid, overnight "shifts" in our lifestyle is one of the most frequent reasons why self-help, for many, leads to self-nothing. It's similar to dieting. Some people, uninspired by the lack of results after a few days, give up the effort and assume that it was just a bad idea in the first place.

Self-help is not an overnight sensation. It takes small steps; and it takes time.

This, indeed, can be rather frustrating to some people who feel ready to change; it's as if a window inside of them has opened, and they want to take advantage of it while they can. This is indeed understandable, but to imagine that you can radically transform yourself in a matter of hours, days or even weeks is unrealistic and, possibly, quite unhealthy. And it's also unnecessary.

Take small steps. Do you want to bring compassion into your life? Start now by seeing how you may be taking the people in your life for granted. Do you want to be more generous? How about smiling at the person who sells you your coffee, or pumps your gas -- there are many ways to be generous that have nothing to do with money. Are you trying to live more peacefully? Then add a simple, 5-minute walk to your day -- anytime that you can.

There are countless examples -- but the point is: keep it small, keep it simple, and start now. Don't wait for what you believe is the "optimal condition for your life" to become reality before you start taking your steps. For example, don't wait until you're rich before you become generous (you won't). Don't wait until you have time before you start being considerate of others (it won't happen). Don't wait until you feel happy before you start caring about the happiness of others (see last bracket). And so on...and so on.

Start now, and take small steps.

You'll be amazed at just how powerfully those small steps become big steps on their own.

It's Not Logical to Always be Logical

We all know someone -- or many someones -- who claim to live their life by a clear, cool and detached code of logic. They'll confidently tell you that everything has a cause and effect relationship, that deduction is simply a matter of methodology, and that human beings are little more (if any more) than statistical events "waiting to happen."

This is...a rather absurd belief; and yes, it is a belief and by no means a "rationally deduced fact based on scientific inquiry." The world is hardly an exclusively logical place.

Yes, naturally, logic does play a role. Water will boil at a certain temperature -- that is logical. The sun will pass through the sky, at a certain speed, on a certain day, just as it did last year or will next year. Dogs bark -- they don't suddenly start quoting Shakespeare. Cars drive -- they don't arbitrarily decide to sing you to work or, perhaps, think that they're butterflies.

So yes, logic has a role. But the world, as a whole, is simply not an exclusively logical place. It is just as illogical as it is logical.

Have any doubts?

Go to an area where you find a bunch of trees. It doesn' t have to be a forest -- it can just be a small "gathering" of trees. Stare at it.

What's logical about this!? Is it part of some master plan? Why do trees even exist in some places? Why do interesting little animals exist in the deep heart of the jungle -- why do they even have life in the first place?

We can go on (but we won't :)

The world is both a logical and an illogical place. It's both. And in fact, the real proponent of logic will, logically, accept that the world is both logical and illogical. In other words: it's patently illogical to reject anything illogical.

So...I guess that means that the folks who preach the gospel of logic are, in fact, quite illogical.

Interesting, isn't it? Think about this the next time you face a situation where something illogical happens. Always leave space in your life for the wonderful to happen -- for the illogical. Don't limit life's possibilities by imposing a flawed -- and deeply restrictive -- logical framework. Yes, illogical things will still happen...but you simply won't see them. Opportunities and possibilities will greet you, but your logical eyes won't receive them.

Be as logical as you wish, but never at the cost of your wonder. Wonder is the language of possibility. Are you fluent?

The Movement of Nature

If we take a glance at nature -- just a glance is needed, nothing more -- we'll come to the same, inspiring observation: it is always in motion. In fact, the word "nature" is probably not the best way to describe what is really happening out there. It would be more insightful to call it naturing or something that implies motion or change; because even the tallest, oldest tree that seems firmly rooted and immovable is constantly changing. It is growing; it is expanding down into the earth and up into the sky. Indeed, by our human "stopwatch" standards, this change and growth may seem very slow. But that's really a perception and not a reality. What seems slow to a human being may seem rapid to a tree. In fact, what seems slow to one person can seem rapid to another!

As people, we are constantly changing and moving as well -- both outside, in our outer shapes and sizes, but more profoundly and more importantly, inside as well: in our consciousness and awareness.

The challenge occurs, however, when we want to stop changing. When we say to the world: no, that's it, I'm not going to grow. Period. End of story. No chance. ZERO!

Nature simply doesn't speak the language of "stop" or "end of story." Nature is a constantly moving story -- a story that is constantly being written. You can go to the Amazon rain forest or the to the tiny, neglected patch of grass near your home. You can go to the Himalayas or you can go to a busy park full of happy children. It doesn't matter. Nature is nature, and if you honestly and openly look at it -- and allow your real eyes to see and not just your imposed expectations -- you'll become aware that nature is constantly moving. It is a movement. It is a dance; a symphony of forms and the formless; of potential, of growth.

The biggest challenge a human being faces -- any human being, anywhere, doing whatever -- is to answer the call to change. Indeed, that call is constant and ceaseless; just as nature is constantly and ceaselessly changing and growing.

Are YOU listening to the call? Are you allowing change to happen in your life? Or, are you trying to "stop nature" from being nature? Are you trying to put your hand flat down on the page that you're on, and say: this book is finished! I don't' want change!

Remember: life is change. It's dynamic; it's organic. It cannot be otherwise -- and neither can you.

Yes, you can try and close the doors to change...but you will still change; but in a destructive and quite miserable way.

You are nature. You are the dance. You are meant to change.

Look deep in yourself and see if you are really, in fact, giving yourself permission to change. If not, then this is where you must start before anything else happens. It's the first step.