Years ago my littlebear convinced me to read a book called SIDDHARTHA by Hermann Hesse. Being the story of a young man finding his own enlightenment I was more confused by it than enlightened myself. As I recall, it winds up with the main character finding his own Nirvana when he discovers the River and begins to see it's secrets. I think he becomes one with the river and then lives happily ever after. Not to make this a review of the book, because it has been a very long time since I read it, but the river analogy always perplexed me.
This week I have been reading THE WAY OF THE WIZARD by Deepak Chopra. It is the same kind of philosophy. We should strive to trust our inner voice and allow answers and guidance to come from within, but without the forced efforts that usually come with a more modern lifestyle. Currently dealing with problems I find emotionally difficult, a big reason for this is there is really nothing I can do about them. I can't fix much. I can only field the consequences, which is a rather drab perspective, I think.
But, AHA!... the River...I think the philosphy of it is suddenly making sense. You can become like the river....just flow with it in your mind. Mr. Chopra has written in his books about taking the path of least resistance in life, or in other words, not trying so hard to change everything that comes your way, not fighting and resisting so much. If you become like the river and emotionally you are Part of the River, things just come and go. The river is always going somewhere and it never stands still. It's a nice thought to be floating down a river, basking in the sunshine, cool or warm,and comfortable. And it's a nice thought that whatever you come up against in a river, there is a way around or over it, even when it means going over a waterfall. If you are part of the river, going over a waterfall won't be fearful. The waterfall is part of the river and its continuing journey. Allowing this to curb fear and trepidation leaves place for excitement and exhileration. In the end you are where you should be and all of nature is with you. Life is as it should be.
Stay calm and enjoy the view. Picture it in your mind...go with the river. You can't stop it so be one with it...the river is life. You don't have to swim, and you can easily be one with the river if you don't resist so much. Go with the flow and relax. What comes will come but will also pass. You continue. Cool, huh?
5 years ago
4 comments:
You should also read The Tao of Pooh. I find Taoism quite appealing, insofar as I understand it. The water analogy shows up there as well. I'm probably not saying anything new for you, but water offers some of the least resistance imaginable. But that's what makes it so unstoppable. Even if you drop a pretty big rock into a river, the river is just going to flow right around it. If you try to plow through the rock or move it out of the way, you can't, but if you offer no resistance, you go right past it.
Well said, benny k.....Thank you so much for rounding out all this babbling I'm doing. I thought of you as I typed this, knowing you could do SO much a better job.
How are you? I miss you.
Again I say, I love it when Ben talks!
I love the waterfall concept as well.
In doing yoga, the yogi said when you feel that tension as you stretch, try not to resist it. Just feel it and accept it and then you will be able to stretch past it.
The most amazing thing happened one day as I sat there not able to reach my toes, I didn't hate or resist or try to shift from that stretching feeling and all of a sudden, I leaned forward a few more inches. It felt SO good.
I wonder if the same concept would apply to diets and eating.. I kind of think so.
Post a Comment