Get Out Of Your Own Way

I really enjoyed Buddha’s enlightened idea using the image of the raft– Can you picture a man coming to a river- collecting branches and making an enormously magnificent raft? Then once to the other side- can you visualize him standing on the beach looking up the embankment? Proud of what he’s accomplished he doesn’t want to leave the raft, the experience and memories behind he wants to take it with him and show it off to his people. Can you picture him standing there scratching his head in wonderment. Buddha suggests leaving it all behind, the raft, the experiences and the memories. Just as the thoughts that we collect, overtime can become burdening. We all have beliefs that don’t suit us any longer- these hidden beliefs may not helpful, they can actually hurt us if attached to them. Old beliefs can be anything from: I’m a failure, I’m only beautiful if I’m skinny and blond, or my dad loves my sister more then me. These old “hidden” beliefs can be devastating. They can ruin our lives; destroy our self-esteem and wound our spirit. Buddha suggests letting go- detaching from all the hurt and being at peace. Buddha says, “When you realize something is unwholesome and bad for you give it up. And when you realize that something is wholesome and good for you, do it”. People have often said to me, “Get out of your own way”, the constant chatter in our heads often keep us struggling. I like Gandhi’s poetic simplicity:

 

Keep your thoughts positive,

Your thoughts become your words.

Keep your words positive,

Your words become your behaviors.

Keep your behaviors positive,

Your behaviors become your habits.

 Keep your habits positive,

Your habits become your values.

Keep your values positive,

Your values become your destiny.

 

To be unattached to the out come of our own destiny is the objective, however challenging. One can’t just go through life with no plan- there would be disorder and confusion - right? There is a bigger plan then what our egos limit us to. This plan interconnects all of us.