Good morning, everyone.
Let’s see what’s here today.
Okay, we spoke about philosophy yesterday a little bit.
Being very much attached to gaining knowledge or information or knowing something. Knowing how things are or why things are or something like that. Or with the intellect understanding how everything fits together somehow with the hopes that that will bring us contentment.
Well, I mean that’s ultimately what we’re looking for in anything, isn’t it? In a new car or a new house or more money or whatever it is, we’re looking for happiness, contentment. We want to come to rest. When we get what we’re looking for, we’ll come to rest. And maybe we do for a few minutes or very briefly.
But of course, that doesn’t last.
Well, it’s exactly the same with information and concepts and knowledge, spiritual or philosophical knowledge or something. We think that if we gain that piece of information, we’ll come to rest and be content.
And again, that’s also not ultimately fulfilling at all. There’s always more with everything. There’s more money. There’s more knowledge as well.
Well, that’s not where contentment lay, is it? Of course.
««»»
In some teachings, in probably many teachings, really, in what state it is, peace is the absence of desire.
Let’s look into it a little bit. What does it mean?
It really means the desire to have something or attain something or get something with the conscious or subconscious hope that it will bring us peace and happiness and contentment.
To want anything other than what is exactly in this moment is obviously a movement of the rising I.
There can be a subtle or gross discontent with what is. From that discontent rises a desire, for something other.
And hey, it’s completely natural to want things, so I’m not denigrating that movement, I’m just saying, let’s see what actually is going on, that’s all.
If in this moment, like now, on holiday,
««»»
You recognize the peace and contentment that is who you are at the core. Then what desire is needed?
««»»
Already fulfilled. Already content.
««»»
So they say the end of desire is freedom. And that’s true.
Again, I’m not making any hyperbolic statements that thou shalt never desire something and would never be so flippant to say something like that.
Because it’s natural to want something, of course. But what’s behind that desire, that’s the point.
Is it really the object we want, or is it what we think the object will bring to us that we want?
Really, have a look.
Why do you want the new car, the new relationship? Why do you want the spiritual experience?
Why do you want that piece of philosophical concept to be understood?
««»»
In any of those objects, obviously, it’s not the object in itself that you actually want, it’s that you think the object’s going to bring you relief, contentment, fulfillment, wholeness, peace, happiness.
««»»
The good news is all of those things I just described are already here, as your essential innate being, always, and very easy to notice also, any time.
««»»
When you really know this, fine, go ahead, have everything. Have everything of the world, all is good. Nothing wrong with any of those objects. Well, I’m not so big on philosophy myself, but all of the nice worldly objects, what’s wrong with those?
It’s all good.
««»»
You can enjoy it all.
But it’s good to know that you’re never going to attain ultimate peace and contentment from any of those objects.
Have them, great.
Enjoy them, wonderful.
But first know thyself. Know thyself first. And all will be added onto you.
««»»
It’s good to be with you. I’ll be back again tomorrow. Peace.
JOIN THE WEEKEND MINI INTENSIVE
THE UNBOUND SPACE OF PURE BEING - August 22 - 23
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.