A good pair of sandals

A good pair of sandals is what we need...

As we walk upon the roads of life, one may try to avoid sharp thorns and stones by maintaining vigilance and cautiousness. Another may attempt to carpet the entire world so the surface is smooth and soft. The simple man will make use of a good pair of sandals.

This parable is old but the message is clear: adversity is part of life, being a victim a matter of choice. It’s not about what happens TO you but rather what happens FOR you. Your are free to choose, perceive and act accordingly.

Generally, most of us believe the source of any problem is found outside of oneself. This attitude inevitably results in grief. If the source of a problem is perceived as external then one immediately employs blame which generates hostility, aggression, fear, envy and other such emotions.

The self-help industry is growing as demand increases and many books bring only little respite.  The search is almost counter effective for it is in the cessation of search that the path is revealed; this is the loop in the trap.

What’s true for individuals is also true for peoples and nations; a look at this era of the early third millennium clearly shows an age of growing separation and alienation amongst us living on Earth. It is a sad illustration of where this approach of seeing problems as external can lead to.

When we eventually become tired of blaming external sources for our troubles often the blame is directed inward, causing sensations of guilt, remorse, desperation, alienation and finally great confusion. It is the other side of the same coin.

Mass anxiety is leveraged upon by an industry of efficient and profitable therapies as millions of us use either prescription drugs or the so-called illicit ones.

Somehow contemporary societies tend to reinforce this notion that something is wrong with us, that we need to be repaired, altered, reinvented in fact why not simply accept that ultimately we must be reborn. Somehow we are trained to try to control, manage and manipulate ourselves and our environments. The terms of the success game we play is to compete and win - we idolize those who have achieved such tasks and worship celebrities. We are a specie that finds it increasingly harder to satisfy its needs. In fact all other species are having fun in their natural environment, which provides for them all they need, however we've also spoiled the party for them. We call ourselves the most intelligent of species. We dominate all other species for we apply force, but we give all our power away.

There is no lack in the universe and there is no lack on this planet; there is no need for competition but rather for cooperation. The concept of lack and limited resources is an illusion that breeds greed, and greed yields aggression. There is an inner and outer state of unrest.

Since we so often don't find peace within ourselves how can we possibly aspire to find peace in our environments?  We often feel a need to escape from this unrest; many of us flee to substance addiction or compulsive work while others become hooked on religions or ideologies, looking for anything to help us escape from our responsibility.

An awakening is possible. The truth doesn’t need to be searched for, it is already within you but veiled by a judgmental mind.

How precious have tranquility and peace of mind become?

Who is truly successful in this life?

Isn't it those who exemplify these rare and precious commodities? When these qualities are present, they are generously shared with others without effort.

You can give only what you have.

To give means to have more.

Just as one candle-flame lights another candle, the light of the first ignites the other without diminishing that of the first.

By sharing and giving peace of mind and harmonious energy, one does not lose anything; one simply lives in a brighter and more harmonious world.
Yet we are trained by our societies not to trust true generosity, we're taught that 'there are no free rides nor free lunches', and that one should always look at 'what's in it for me?'

We are trained to have agendas in everything: our personal, professional and political lives. But if there is any agenda to life it is for us to live life itself.

Most of us wouldn’t be alive if not for the many free rides and free lunches that we are constantly receiving. So blind is our nature that it is only in the lack that we see and appreciate what we have.

Be present and aware of what you receive: you will be overwhelmed by the generosity, so much that you won't be able to contain it. It's natural to share it with others for it relieves the burden of keeping it for yourself – it is a bountiful universe.

We are all in it together and the best way to go about it is to be there for each other.

As the poet Dylan said: 'I don’t care how rough the road is, show me where it starts.'

It starts in you.