Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Renunciation

"Fixated upon getting, possessing, and arriving at the "perfect moment", we overlook the fact that the perfect moment comes to depend upon the fulfillment of our goals, desires, and fantasies. We believe we will be happy when we have ordered the world to suit our wants, expectations, and ambitions. Strangely, the perfect moment and promise of fulfillment never arrives, it is ceaselessly pushed over into the future as yet another need or desire arises within us. Peace and happiness are not so complicated; they are born of being, not of having."

"We can go through life thinking "This shouldn't be happening, I want something else to happen". Pursuing what we want and do not have, losing interest in what previously fascinated us, are all the tentacles of a (unfulfilled) craving. Craving is a powerful energy that takes us away from the moment and ourselves. As our appetites increase, we find ourselves needing ever more intense excitment and experience. Our energy, time, well-being, and peace are pushed aside by the craving. Renunciation, learning to let go gently and clearly in our lives is the antidote to craving."

Normally I wouldn't post stuff I rip from books, but this was just too good to let go. This excerpt is from The Buddhist Path to Simplicity by Christina Feldman and it really sums up what my feelings have become about life/love/friends/good times/bad times, etcetera.

As modern human beings we tend to push ourselves into deep states of sorrow and anxiety in our quest for the perfect partner/job/house/child/life. Buddha described the two deepest fears for us as the fear of having nothing, and the fear of being no-one. If you can learn to let go of those fears, you can attain true freedom, which will allow you to live in peace with yourself, with others around you and with the universe. Freedom is not about being able to do whatever you want, when you want. It's beginning to learn how to love yourself so that you can love others. It's discovering that happiness and contentment are possible within each moment if we let go of our expectations, leaving a world of unease and discontent, to live in a world of profound joy and love.

Of course in our western world, we must balance this with the reality that we should be happy and successful in the work we choose, that we can forgive but don't have to forget when we've been wronged, and that everyday is a gift and should be approached with wisdom (that there may not be another) and enthusiasm. As you learn to let go of your wants and expectations, you will find that what you have always desired has been right there for you.