What is the motive of thought to wander off into the past or future to move away from the NOW, is the current situation so lacking or unbearable? It’s quite possible, we have been conditioned to think that happiness is out there somewhere, and we believe it, very deeply. That belief forces our attention away from ‘what is’, towards something that isn’t, and that is quite literally a trick of the mind.
This resisting of now and seeking happiness in the future is, in itself, the veiling of the true peace and happiness that lives shining at the heart of all experience, as our very own Self.
We are so unaccustomed to just letting ourselves abide in our being, that we don’t even stop to check if happiness might be there. It’s not easy, a bit like when entering a room from the bright sunshine outside, at first the room appears dark while the eyes take time to adjust. It’s hard to make out what’s there, you have to wait for things to settle. And in the meantime, the mind is saying; this is boring, there’s nothing here, what are you doing, just get on out there and do something more interesting.
Do we ever just spend time with ourselves, our being? Or are we always rushing from one experience to the next in the hope of some future happiness, so deep is our conditioning.
Everything in our culture encourages us to seek happiness out there and becomes uncomfortable if we do nothing and just be. We have become frightened to “know thyself”. Can I really stop myself from telling myself; “I’ll be happy when…” just catch it and drop it, don’t reinforce that belief by acting it out. No matter how comfortable you have become in life you have not found that everlasting peace and happiness that you seek. When will you be convinced that the answer is not out there?
