A fresh look
We
speak of the need for a fresh look for those who have been seeking for a long
time. We can see how the ego has taken over "spirituality" and
turned it into a "personal" dogma, how the mind works for it to tell
us a story that is of no interest to our heart, how the spiritual world has
become one of the landmarks of fear.
Having seen this, there is a
stage to be crossed, that of accepting what is human in us. The ego has built
a "perfect ideal", woven from our past experiences and the plans
constructed on these foundations. The ego assesses itself constantly against
this benchmark ideal (which may be a charismatic spiritual personality for
those who are "shy" or an example of serenity for those who are
"nervous"!). This ideal is the ego’s fundamental ploy. The notions of
ideal and awakening are confused. And addiction to our
ideals can completely drown the truth of spiritual awakening.
The
only perfection is the kindly, open look on "what is". Perfection
does not have a static, standard form. Perfection is a look which takes
everything. We are not called on to change "what is", but to change
our look. Maybe we shall never become charismatic or even an example of
serenity. The seeker at the end of his race is not concerned by this.
A
few days ago, someone sent in the story of a monk who was "number two"
in a monastery. The superior had just passed away and the number two was
weeping his heart out in the presence of the monks who had gathered around the
body. A bold monk risked putting the question which everyone was dying to ask:
"Why
are you weeping after teaching us all these years that life on earth is
transient, that there is more beyond, that we must not be attached?".
Number
two replied: "Yes, what a paradox, I told you all that and yet I’m
weeping..."
The
monk who had asked the question insisted:"Yes, but why?".
Number
two replied: "Life cannot make do with why"
"But
we need to know...!" insisted the monk who was clearly put out by this
reply.
Then
number two said: "I’m weeping and I feel quite comfortable at weeping".
At
some moment in our endless quest, we need to "feel quite comfortable"
with our humanity. In order for this not to be a lie, this look needs to be
that of some kind of a Witness within us. There must simply be a fresh look.
Thierry