We're creatures of habit, yes, and that's generally the way society functions - we each have our role to play and our allotted duties and responsibilities. That needn't be a problem in itself.
The concept of dharma in the East is a very healthy and beneficial understanding, and one that's generally lacking in the West's desire-oriented culture. Dharma means responding appropriately to the needs of the situation and doing what's right. If you have a family, then your dharma is to look after them well. If you have a job, then the dharma of that situation is to do your job to the best of your ability. When we follow dharma, we generally tend to feel good because we're in flow with life. Violating dharma - which is to say, doing what we know is wrong either by action or inaction - creates emotional disharmony and stress.
So you got ta do what you got ta do. That's the way life works. But, here's the thing. You can do what you need to do while still making every day fresh, adventurous and enjoyable.
We should never let ourselves become robotic zombies, living life solely as a conditioned reflex. That's a surefire way to lose every last trace of the joy and spontaneity we had as young children - the joy and spontaneity that comes naturally to us and is a natural part of us. Society is kind of like a machine, and we're raised and socialised to be rather like machines ourselves; cogs in the wheel of society. But we're not machines! Most people have such a well-developed social self - the facade we present to the world; how we want the world to see us - that we've lost touch with our essential, innate self. It's no wonder we get so insanely bored and depressed.
Is it possible to shake things up and live with greater spontaneity and freshness while still attending to our dharma and duties? I definitely think so. We can all work within our limitations and find ways to make life a little more fun and exciting. It might take a little work at first, but I believe it's well worth the effort.
Here are some simple suggestions for breaking out of what's become the norm of robotic, reflex-living, and finding greater variety and authenticity in our lives:
1. Excavation work: we were never more 'ourselves' than when we were children. Back then we 'd yet to craft and slap on the masks of our 'social self'. We were just unconstrained expressions of consciousness, with our own set of natural tendencies, interests, passions and proclivities (now there's a word I don't get to use often!). It's fun to look back at the things that brought us the most joy when we were young, because that's a sure sign it's something that's aligned with our essential self, and innately makes us feel happy and fulfilled.
Obviously you're not going to want to throw water balloons at your neighbour (I assume!) or live in a treehouse at the bottom of your garden (although that could be kind of cool). But you might find ways you can get back to the natural sense of fun, adventurous and playfulness you had as a kid. I mean, why not take the afternoon to build sandcastles on the beach, or watch clouds or go for a bike ride somewhere cool? Or play a game. Or eat a Chomp caramel-chocolate bar (wonder if you still get them?). Or do anything that might have appealed to your younger self, allowing yourself to recapture that lost sense of fun and joy.
2. Do something different-- anything different! Wear clothes you wouldn't normally wear (a red sweatshirt. Or a purple one. Why the heck not?) Instead of eating and drinking the same old things, try something new. Walk a different route to work or school. Visit somewhere you've never been before. Go to a library and get out the kind of book you 'd never usually read, just out of curiosity. Listen to a different style of music. Make music! Get talking with someone new, or a friend you don't normally spend much time with. Take some babysteps out of your habitual comfort zone.
3. If there are any habits you think might be dulling you down, then temporarily - or, if you're so inclined, permanently - ditch them. Perhaps watch less TV, or just different TV. Put down the laptop and take a walk or exercise or go lie down and listen to some relaxing music. Stop hanging around with anyone you feel drags you down. Stop eating so many sugary things, or if you're particularly health conscious as I tend to be, allow yourself to be more indulgent.
4. Look at situations differently. Consider things from all angles. Most of the time we rigidly stick to our beliefs, opinions and viewpoints, but this is not the mark of a great mind. Be willing and open to changing your mind about things. Yeah, it can be disconcerting at first (we like to think we're right all the time), but it's also tremendously liberating.
5. Remember your dreams. We all have them, and we generally tend to set them aside as we get older and have to get on with the business of living. But if there's something within you, a spark or a fire that's never truly extinguished, then allow yourself to tend to that flame and bask in its warm glow. Find ways to explore your dreams and incorporate them, or elements of them, into your life.
That's just a simple list of suggestions. If you have any ideas of your own, please feel free to share. Once you get the ball rolling, you'll hopefully find more and more ways of reigniting the spark in your life, breaking free of conditioned reflex-living and approaching life with greater consciousness, awareness and freshness.
Don't come up with excuses such as 'I don't have the time for things like that'. That's nonsense; even the busiest of people can find ways to vary their routine and shake up their lives. If you argue for your limitations, they're yours. Even the smallest, simplest of changes can make us feel more satisfied and refreshed with our lives. We begin to adopt a more conscious approach to living and one that will ultimately enable us to embrace greater happiness, freedom and authenticity
No comments:
Post a Comment