This is beautiful ~ Johannes shares with all at Divine Earth his words on Being and Becoming ~ A blessing ~
Being and Becoming
How often do we senselessly push ourselves mentally, physically, psychologically, emotionally, to the point of exhaustion? Over worked and over stressed are two phrases we hear a lot from our friends and from our own mouths. We know we do it, and we know we suffer the consequences, but why do we do it? Why do we often push ourselves to the brink?
It seems to be a belief of modern society that if you want to be a success you have to work harder. If you want good grades in school, you have to work harder. If you want to get a promotion, you have to work harder. Always this desire to achieve lingers in our heads. And no matter how much you do, you always have to do more.
But what if you just want to be simply happier? Can you actually work harder towards becoming happier? We know that if you spend a lot of time studying you will learn more. We can agree that if you spend many hours at your business you can get more done and potentially make more money. But what is the equivalent process to getting more happiness? The conundrum is that we believe that by becoming more educated or by working harder that these things will magically equate to a happy life.
I think if you take a step out of the sphere of your own life and look at your history, or the history of anyone else you may know, you will observe a few things: that more education doesn’t go hand in hand with more happiness. Nor does working harder. Nor does having more material possessions. This is not to say that people who are very educated or work very hard or have many material things cannot be happy. I am just stating that it is not these things that create the happiness within.
In my own observation, true happiness – not the kind that is based on ego fulfillment – is an unburdening rather than an accumulating phenomena. It is not a process of adding anything to your being, but rather a releasing of all that is not unnecessary. When the belief is dropped that “I need more of this to be happy” than future is also dropped and dropping the future is a pivotal epiphany towards experiencing the here-now and ultimately towards enlightenment.
Just for a day, allow yourself to “be.” Don’t be concerned with “becoming” for that is occurring without any effort anyway – just as a raindrop becomes the river, and just as the river becomes the ocean. Enjoy yourself as the raindrop unconcerned where the journey takes you. Don’t be concerned about one day becoming the vast ocean; just enjoy all you are as a raindrop. The raindrop will become the ocean, that is guaranteed. But the raindrop who concerns itself only with becoming the ocean is miserable and misses the beauty and uniqueness of being who it is.
Blessings,
Johannes
Wow! — a deep insightful look into the rampant “always have to do harder” attitude that is ingrained in today’s fast-faced moden society…..by our hippie guru Seva ~ something to really ponder on in today’s times ~
I’ve also seen this myself personally…esp. when I was studying for my degree in I.T. networking (a pretty fast-paced occupation as well!) — after a few semesters in, i noticed how our professors would emphasize the importance of “striving to work harder” and make more “money” -“status”- and all that stuff…..and as I delved deeper into the study (i do love computers & technology….dont get me wrong! hehe..) — i began to realize the students around me were so “status” oriented….thinking about the big bucks….as well as following the belief that working harder and harder yet, is the key to success…..some i knew, were “perfectionists” — always wanting to please the professor (who…in turn…would be like pleasing the “boss” of a corporation or what it may be) — with over-the-topness…..Being the more laid-back, slower-paced mellow artistic kind of dude….I really started to doubt if i could really keep up in this high-pressured work environment (although I was getting great grades by the way, since i love tech stuff) — i would have difficulties relating to some of the other students…..or fitting in w/ the clique, — (only one good friend of mine in the classes….i clicked with, who was more laid-back as i was) ~ and then ~
At the time, i was struggling between my studies in the profession and at the same time…..was learning my craft as a musician in the background…..it was like a tug-of-war of sorts……I didnt know which direction to take at the time ~ it took a while….before i came to listen to my heart’s calling ~ (the artist within me….i could nto deny after all these years)
So…i’ve experienced firsthand that kind of environment for a while….the whole, “money-driven” “status-oriented” mindset (that we were being programmed with at the time, i was not okay with that…as it went completely against my personal beliefs on life in general) — I’ve also, in the present moment…..have also dealt with music dudes who were also “money-driven” as well….looking for the next big “hit” or “talent”….and pushing hard to the brink of exhaustion…..So, that’s when I would take a step back and be like, “Whoa! – what’s going on here?”
From my personal experience…..i’ve seen what that kind of “ego-based” mindset creates…..lots of imbalance, turbulence, a loss of “sense of self in the world” as one becomes blinded by the glitz and glamour of having only “the best things” – becoming focused on only the “material” (money and riches) and status (always comparing one’s self-worth to someone else’s and wanting to have or be the best at all costs….to be “numero uno”) — and ultimately…..leads to burnout and illness….not a good thing at all!
It’s one thing to do things w/ heart and good intention….work dilligently in whatever u do…..but with passion and love and with the ebb and flow and a sense of enjoyment….no pressure, not “ego-based” – it’s another thing to do things, not from the “heart”, but from the “head”….and always rushing ,pushing or racing to do or be the next best thing ~
That isnt in harmony within ourselves and with nature in general….it’s quite sad to see youngsters being pushed at an early age by their parents to “be the best and work harder and harder” — sometimes sacrificing their own health for it…..pursuing too many things at once, to please others….and then they succumb to illness (getting sick) or loss of self-esteem or loss of sense of direction –
Like an old saying, “it’s about the journey, not the destination” — to let things come naturally…..to just “be” and allow things to unfold as they should…..and yes, true happiness…..or success….doesnt come from being that ego-fulfilling mindset and reaching the top in everything (in fact, it’s quite lonely at “the top” and even harder to stay there!)…..but from “releasing” all that’s burdening and just allow things to come…..and before u realize, u’ll be like…”Wow…..how did this all come to be??” — u can only be but humbled and grateful…..all of a sudden, things become much more pleasurable and fulfilling……but to our “hearts” –
Thanks for sharin’ this Coralinni! – and thnx to Seva for the insightful look into this! — always observing and learning new things…..everyday….
omg Yannaki ~ Johannes really opened many heart felt experiences that you could relate to in his discourse on our “work harder” competitive world ~
I can really relate to what both you and Johannes reflect upon in my own struggles ~ Although I enjoyed a creative path in art and found it personally rewarding and challenging, I found it was not enough financially to survive on .. So in the recent past my art has been something I continue to pursue in various ways but I was forced to enter into a non-art job as my main source of financial support ~ It is based in financial guidance to self-employed business and is rewarding in some ways ..that I meet many interesting and creative business owners ~ But, I work in an environment that is “work harder – work longer to get ahead” environment ~ I try hard to ignore certain boss pleasing co-workers that surround me and just try and do my work as best that I can ~ I try to keep out of office politics ~ They emphasis “team work” which I struggle with if I truly see something wrong in certain team mindsets ~ Honestly, I sometimes wonder how I keep this job but at least I try and stay true to who I am and I know that I do a good job ~
A year from now I see myself in a new adventure because I know I need a change ~ When Johannes talks about certain damaging influences that affect us in daily life – I relate to his words and it inspires me ~ You too, Yannaki, share experiences that I can understand your inner conflicts and that in turn helps me too ~ It is a blessing to share here on Divine Earth ~