I don’t know if this makes sense, but the main thing I want more of is less: stuff, running around, doing, space, chasing. I want so much less of so many things.
Is it "false desire"? And if so, what then of "authentic desire"? Or, rather, is it "less desire"? Or, as eastern wisdom teaches, "desire period"?!
I ask such questions politely, all the while knowing that to even ask is, in fact, to pursue "more".
But I'm also grateful to know that what ever wisdom may lie within the questions themselves, those knowings will likely come through the back door rather than the front - if not down the chimney or up from the cellar. Which is why sitting in that spot you refer to, Martha, affords one what indigenous people refer to as "splatter vision", that is, the capacity to see whatever is "in the house" without the effort of having to look. Then, as James Finley reminds..."it appears".
I resonate with every thing you write. There is such wear and tear to attachment and “more.” I also remember fearing “less” so much. But actually there is a spaciousness that comes from needing less and being okay. A kind of more honest safety? It’s so true that “Ego desires can so easily disguise themselves as callings.” One of the most helpful instructions for me from Buddhism is the one about how “unhelpful” states often masquerade as good ones in the mind so we’re more likely to fall for them.
More, no more
I don’t know if this makes sense, but the main thing I want more of is less: stuff, running around, doing, space, chasing. I want so much less of so many things.
Is it "false desire"? And if so, what then of "authentic desire"? Or, rather, is it "less desire"? Or, as eastern wisdom teaches, "desire period"?!
I ask such questions politely, all the while knowing that to even ask is, in fact, to pursue "more".
But I'm also grateful to know that what ever wisdom may lie within the questions themselves, those knowings will likely come through the back door rather than the front - if not down the chimney or up from the cellar. Which is why sitting in that spot you refer to, Martha, affords one what indigenous people refer to as "splatter vision", that is, the capacity to see whatever is "in the house" without the effort of having to look. Then, as James Finley reminds..."it appears".
But oh, the challenge to simply sit still...
I resonate with every thing you write. There is such wear and tear to attachment and “more.” I also remember fearing “less” so much. But actually there is a spaciousness that comes from needing less and being okay. A kind of more honest safety? It’s so true that “Ego desires can so easily disguise themselves as callings.” One of the most helpful instructions for me from Buddhism is the one about how “unhelpful” states often masquerade as good ones in the mind so we’re more likely to fall for them.
Great article and keep doing this voodoo, that you do, so well.I want - wait .....
Pull up the paddles in the river of
life
Athletes talk about letting the game come to them rather than chasing it.
And the AA ? Cliché -Too Much Is Never Enough
“Anything I hustle for remains out of reach.” - so true and a reminder to just be.
Thank you 🌸.
I really relate to this Martha. My move to Maine reduces the chaos and competition. ❤️
This was a great read that echoed a question I've been asking myself and others: "What is enough?"
Which leads to: "Do you even know? What does it look like to appreciate enough rather than chase more?"
I was so moved by your blog, I shared it with my heart writers group. Powerful medicine. 🙏