mulberryshoots

tulips and narcissus from the farmers market in Northampton . . .

Yesterday, I picked up a book I had reserved at the library last week called “A New Earth – Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” by Eckhart Tolle. I had seen it years ago but hadn’t been able to read it all at the time.

It seems that now, every paragraph and chapter seems relevant to my life. He talks about how we sometimes see ourselves in a life-role as a parent and that the role may overtake us rather than allowing us to be who we truly are underneath. He also speaks to carrying a “pain-body” around which we are unaware of, which may result in perpetuating past pain in cycles within the present. The Ego is responsible for much of the pain that we experience and learning how to think about it and how it influences our behavior is also illuminating.

Here’s one segment which encapsulates how to be in the Now and not mind what happens.

Not Minding What Happens: J. Krishnamurti, the great Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher, . . . surprised his audience by asking, “Do you want to know my secret?” Finally, after all these years, the master would give them the key to understanding. “This is my secret,” he said. “I don’t mind what happens.” He did not elaborate and perhaps his audience were even more perplexed than before. The implications of this simple statement, however, are profound.

When I don’t mind what happens, what does that imply? It implies that internally I am in alignment with what happens. “What happens,” of course, refers to the suchness of this moment, which always already is as it is. It refers to content, the form that this moment–the only moment there ever is–takes. To be in alignment with what is means to be in a relationship with inner nonresistance with what happens. It means not to label it as good or bad, but to let it be. Does this mean you can longer take action to bring about change in your life? On the contrary. When the basis for your actions is inner alignment with the present moment, your actions become empowered by the intelligence of Life itself.” 

Sound heavy? Maybe. But, if you read this book and are able to reflect on the author’s observations, it might make more sense and fall into place in your own consciousness.

In any case, I have found it to be reassuring  – to know Presence of yourself in the moment we are in and not minding what happens – rather than struggling mentally with just about everything else our ego might come up with.