Let go of what is important

Enjoyed engaging interactions with Stevn Hairfield and special guest Jeff Daugherty on Insight Radio.  Access the archives to listen to the May 15/16 show.  Feedback is always appreciated.

In this particular program, Jeff offers his own compelling story about what caused him to wake up, see his behaviour and life in a whole new way. He shares how direct experience enables each of us to explore the power of ego to control us and what it is to let go of all we think is important.  He reflects on his resistance to certain attachments, ambitious professional roles and lifestyle, and how he now feels born again, and all his experiences makes him who is his right now. Losing what he thought was important enables him to see the world and his place in it with new eyes. 

Whether life-changing revelations are triggered by relationship break-ups, environmental disasters, health concerns, work-related crises or something else, the universal message is clear: Move from self-centred to soul- centred living. Nothing is hard unless you believe it is. The underlying question is, why allow things to escalate to where crisis is what you require to shift from seeing your life through the selfish head to seeing through the compassionate heart?

The irony and blessing is that what the ego thinks matters temporarily hides who we really are. The unreal life that temporarily engages our attention can be very convincing. However, the real is ever-present and cannot die. It is part of an individual journey to forget how to feel what is right, and also an option for each person to shift back from ego-based thinking to heartfelt or authentic living. You may be taught to over-complicate what is simple, but whatever it takes, the universe brings you to a point where you are invited to trust your own feelings more. The more you trust in the unknown, the more the universe gives you reason to trust life. Honouring this is easy. Live from the heart a new kind of purpose-driven life. Lick your finger to feel the wind direction. Go with it. Shift from doing to being. Be aware and love who you choose to be.

Be real

From the moment you are real with yourself, you can be real with others. Even now, you have the means to see things as they are.  You already sense what is real.  The most important thing is to challenge your own mind.  When did you last question your beliefs, emotions or sense of reality?  Be brave.  When you are in denial of reality, life is painful.  Fear and discomfort arise from ill-will. Shift focus. See things as they are.

Notice our desires bend the mind.  You cannot trust your perceptions, expectations or your thoughts.  When you remove attachment and ill will, then all is only ever going well. Challenge your assumptions.  Watch what happens as you stop what you are doing, or do things more slowly.  You see deeper meaning, notice what you skip over when you go fast. You suddenly have time to linger, to know things more intimately.

To find the truth, you must move beyond fear and wishful thinking.  There is nothing wrong with natural course of things, of the evolution of life and death.  Accept that.  It is not the length of life that matters but the quality of it.  This is where you get real. Be still.  The truth erases suffering. Problems do not exist when you love unconditionally. 

"From a certain point of view our real enemy, the true troublemaker, is inside yourself." - Tenzin Gyatso (14th Dalai Lama)

Why the story loses its appeal

At some stage, the story and details you share to describe who you are no longer resonate. The drama, entertainment value and emotional triggers lose their appeal. You do nothing and watch elements of the identity you construct fall away of their own accord. The urge to offer credentials or opinions fades.  Listening replaces talking.

In essence, you systematically see through layers of your self-created illusions.  You recognize reasons for attachment and detachment, and outgrow certain ways of experiencing the world. You begin to realize it is part of life to feel and let go of all perceptions, not only those that evoke negativity, but also those that trigger positive and uplifing feelings.  Perceptions of lows and highs are all transitions guiding you home. What is natural unfolds through it all.  The mind has selective awareness.  The heart always knows what is meaningful.  As heart and mind are seen as one, be that.

"Renunciation is not getting rid of the things of this world, but accepting that they pass away." -Aitken Roshi

Move beyond the story

Every person has a story.  Some people have more than one.  You may share a particular story that reveals different opinions.  Notice the universal lessons that speak to you through every experience.  Notice where you feel attached to certain ideas or resistant to change.  What prevents you from allowing the mind to relax and feeling inner being? 

Consider what you reach for. You might be someone who is consciously willing to expand.  As you move from intellectual understanding to knowing, you realize comparisons lose all meaning.  Recognize when you require no explanation, no confirmation or approval, identity is no longer what separates you from other beings.  Move from the need to articulate your story. As you align with the real you, you shift priorities. To feel the world as soul does, is to be with people rather than in competition.  Take self and perception of other out.   Resonate with the compassion you are.

Get ready to shatter those myths

Whatever it is you think you cannot do, this actually means you choose not to do it for reasons hidden from conscious thought.  You may fear exerting effort, feel uncomfortable about making a change or resist doing something that may not meet expectations. Whatever it is, get ready to shatter those myths you imagine into being.  From right now, they are no longer attached to you.  Things are changing fast.

Well, what are you waiting for? The moment is here to identify and transcend the illusions that convince you to feel less than you are.  Take out a sheet of paper, a tape recorder or, do whatever it is that makes sense to get it out of the system. Express yourself.  Then, stand back and review those emotions or sentiments from the observer perspective.  How do you choose to Transform Your Life?