Routine
Mind likes routine – so each morning it looks to do what it knows – brush teeth, wash face, eat etc etc. We get attached, even with simplest of routines, even if it is merely making a morning drink, at a specific time.
Although routines are necessary – none of the things that come from routine actually bring a new spring into our day. Only if we spontaneously spice things up, even if it is a new meal created, do we feel some inspiration.
Creativity and Joy
The simple act of boiling water in a pan, on a portable hot plate, plugged to an industrial electrical chord brought me simple joy today, because this was a new thing to do….
In fact the most exciting aspects of my day appears to be when I am stepping into some new territory – where I am learning something new. It could be about politics, education, art, health, diet, design – it does not matter what – but as long as it is new, and I trust my instincts with the ‘jumping in’ – it fuels joy.
Unknown brings in Rewards
I am finally seeing the relationship with the unknown can be really rewarding for us, if the fear about it can be dropped, after it has been transformed. Using the Dalian Method for this, expedites this process.
Our ego-mind often fears what the unknown can bring, only because our minds get attached to keeping what is in the known. Keeping the past as it is, and wanting the future to give certainty that nothing will be lost. Yet if this attitude of fear, can be transformed into excitement – the unknown can become a real source of joy, because things changing always leads to inspired new action, which will bring joy.
The two things are connected – the unknown and joy – but do we notice this? The known is comfortable but not thrilling. Our mind adapts to what it knows very fast. The unknown by its’ nature forces us to respond. And it is the response action that brings in joy – even if we are facing a challenge.
You see, when a hurdle comes our way, finding answers to those challenges not previously encountered, is equally inviting. This is again fuelling some sense of accomplishment and joy, simply because the solution had to be sourced through some inspired creative action!
The bigger purpose of the Unknown
Interesting that when we hold onto our personal desires, stress and anguish follows with this holding on. This is resistance to the unknown.
Yet, if we can accept the flow of the unknown, and let go the known when life circumstances are requiring us to do so – the unknown then becomes quite exciting, especially when the understanding comes in with this lens, that the new action required will bring joy in as well.
It appears that the unknown is actually fundamentally necessary for our joy to keep expanding…!!
The simple act of staying open to the unknown, and exploring and designing new concepts yet to be lived, seems to be the actual fun part of life!
If the ideas do or do not materialize – it does not matter – that is not the actual point. It is the art of attempting, brainstorming, figuring out – that is the real point! The source of joy. Getting attached to the idea obviously stops the joy.
Thus the less we are attached to our ideas and desires in this way – the better it is for our mental health.
Birth
At birth we are thrust into the unknown, from our mothers’ womb, and immediately imprinted with our first impression of the unknown….and along with it – our fear of survival kicks in. This fear then becomes our relationship with the unknown, instead of feeling excitement about it.
This is because of course, at that time, we do not yet know, whilst being pushed out through the birth canal – that we will know how to breathe alone! We do not yet recognize our own capabilities…. how can we, as we are so ‘apparently helpless!’ concluding that, because all our needs were being met on autopilot in the womb.
Along with the fear of survival also comes our first “wound” with our birth experience – the wound of abandonment and rejection, of not being wanted…..one minute comfortable and the next, being pushed out forcibly, with the feeling of not belonging, and the dread of “I am all alone”, in this unknown.
In life, this first wound resurfaces gazzilions of times, in those moments when people are in their ego and not in their heart, in their interactions with us. Each time we feel ’emotionally hurt’ because of a judgment, or poison arrow aimed at us – or because control has been imposed on us, or any lack of appreciation is experienced – the birth-wound begins to scream aloud within.
Unknown is our Home
The wound is like a siren that sounds often but no-one else can silence that sound for you….Everyone carries the same wound within themselves too, each not knowing that they have everything they need inside. Each not knowing the full truth – that we are being pushed out into the universe where we always belong, where we can never disappear from, where there is no abandonment – where there is no fear of our survival…. only full acceptance of us in love, in anticipation that we are now in the unknown to experience joy and the marvel of inspired creative action.
