Let go of what may come.
Let go of what is happening now.
Don’t try to figure anything out.
Don’t try to make anything happen.
Don’t try to figure anything out.
Don’t try to make anything happen.
Relax right now and
rest.” --Tilopa
What?! Don’t try to figure anything out, or
make anything happen? These six instructions deriving from Tibetan Buddhism,
are antithetical to North American cultural perspectives which lay much emphasis on the art and science of control.
But there is sense in them, for grasping and obsessing over things I know makes me crazy. So, how can we function in some sort of happy, relaxed, sane way if we are driven to succeed in this manner?
But there is sense in them, for grasping and obsessing over things I know makes me crazy. So, how can we function in some sort of happy, relaxed, sane way if we are driven to succeed in this manner?
Letting go requires a little faith in the universe. Something many of us are a little short on. But relaxation depends on it and our ability to function sanely and happily rest our ability to relax at least a little.
I am neither a philosopher, nor an accomplished spiritual
adept, so there is undoubtedly more to the teachings than immediately meets the eye.
My intention in sharing them is simply to encourage curiosity, to get people seriously questioning the sanity of continuing to live according to cultural scripts, that compromise mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, in the name of success.
My intention in sharing them is simply to encourage curiosity, to get people seriously questioning the sanity of continuing to live according to cultural scripts, that compromise mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, in the name of success.
So, how about an art of doing nothing?
Cultivating contentment, sitting quietly with a cup of tea, breathing, feeling and imbibing the whole experience at leisure?
I feel better just thinking about it, like I might be more able to let go of what is happening now and not burden myself with figuring anything out—in a word, I feel spacious.
And in the peaceful calm of that rarified place what is there really to figure out?
Cultivating contentment, sitting quietly with a cup of tea, breathing, feeling and imbibing the whole experience at leisure?
I feel better just thinking about it, like I might be more able to let go of what is happening now and not burden myself with figuring anything out—in a word, I feel spacious.
And in the peaceful calm of that rarified place what is there really to figure out?
That's where its all going on ...
If you're interested, watch this video. It is a great TED talk given by Michael Benner on emotional intelligence, meditation and happiness which nicely augments what I have presented here.
If you're interested, watch this video. It is a great TED talk given by Michael Benner on emotional intelligence, meditation and happiness which nicely augments what I have presented here.
