We DON'T need pills to make us happy, or for another person to change -- we need to strip away illusions, and experience life as it really is, and NOT as we've been conditioned to experience it -- and two of the biggest ones I've seen and heard recently (including on this board) are:
1. I need something from outside myself to be happy (addictive thinking - I need a pill, a drink, a snort, a dose, sex, gambling -- whatever our specific addiction may be).
2. The world around me, and usually the person or people closest to me, need to change for me to be happy (co-dependent / controlling thinking -- these are usually partners, friends and family members of addicts who might benefit from Al-Anon or CODA [Co-Dependents Anonymous].)
It's SO liberating to learn that either / both these ways of seeing the world will only produce suffering within us, and in those closest to us.
It's also interesting to me that both profiles (which I see as two sides of the same coin, which are basically "I'm scared / hurting so I'll make myself feel better physically / emotionally / mentally by using [something] in order to feel safe & comfortable" - Addict, and "I'm scared / hurting because other people and life don't behave the way I want them to in order to feel safe and comfortable, so I'll attempt to control or manipulate them into my way of seeing things" - Control Freak / Co-Dependent --- are asked to work the 12-steps, and that almost ALL deep spiritual programs that focus on our Oneness and/or Connection With Higher Power / God / Truth -- blatantly point out that BOTH these ways of thinking are equally likely to produce misery in ourselves and those around us.
Some of us are cursed with both these sets of illusion (I was blessed to be "only" an addict; just one battle to fight instead of two), others just one -- but if you look at it all the way I've described above -- we're not so far apart (the two groups; addicts and the people who tend to be their partners, and be addicted to attempted control, rather than a substance).
Two books I highly recommend to both groups are:
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
&
Loving What Is by Byron Katie
Neither of these books conflict in the slightest way with any religion, spiritual path or the Steps -- but augment them beautifully. To see what I mean, visit either author's site (do a web search on their name or book title) - and/or go to Amazon.com and read some of the sample info and reviews.
Learning the we don't need to engage in addictive behavior, that the people and world around us don't need to change, and that whatever changes we need to make can be conducted from a place of peace, lightness and, well, serenity [smile] -- helps to fulfill the famous Serenity Prayer.
Hope this helps - would love to see comments / feedback.
Here's wishing everyone a beautiful, peaceful day!
Sat
Ohhhh I love this post!!!! Ekhart Tolle also wrote The Flowering of Human Consciousness which also feeds into this same discussion. The main thing we have to do is recognize we are miserable and know there is a way out. Then begin to unfold the contructs which keep us in this wretched behavior and free ourselves.
The trick is it always begins within. Once we do our inner work we see we are all not so far apart. I choose to engage my higher power in my life and allow it to assist me in living a life from creativity and intelligence far greater than my mind. I'm not there everyday, every minute, every step of the way but I'm rather I'm on a path to help me attain this level of living because I'm so sick of the lower realms being in charge.
It always begins within and I wish you all the peace that living from your highest self can bring. It becomes an addiction in itself and one far more fulfilling than all the others. In the stillness of your own self you will find all the answers if you listen.
Peace,
PM
The trick is it always begins within. Once we do our inner work we see we are all not so far apart. I choose to engage my higher power in my life and allow it to assist me in living a life from creativity and intelligence far greater than my mind. I'm not there everyday, every minute, every step of the way but I'm rather I'm on a path to help me attain this level of living because I'm so sick of the lower realms being in charge.
It always begins within and I wish you all the peace that living from your highest self can bring. It becomes an addiction in itself and one far more fulfilling than all the others. In the stillness of your own self you will find all the answers if you listen.
Peace,
PM
Thanks for the post Im printing it up and saving it Ray
I read the power of now, but didn't get much out of it at that time. Maybe I should read it now, because I am in a different space....
I love the suggestions on more to learn..
LOL...
Kerry
I love the suggestions on more to learn..
LOL...
Kerry
