“We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others, that, in the end we become disguised to ourselves.”
— Francois de La Rouchefoucauld, 17th century French author
The mad rush to do More and achieve More means we give little to no time or space for surrender to one’s own clarity. There’s little chance to gain a sense of what is truly right for us – rather, we often blindly follow someone else’s definition of success.
No wonder so many are dissatisfied, unhappy, frustrated but also insecure and anxious – we’re trying to fulfil someone else’s standards, trying to “do” someone else’s life.
As Nietzsche beautifully wrote, we so often look for the path – but it doesn’t exist, it never has.
“‘This is my way; where is yours?’ – Thus I answered those who asked me ‘the way.’ For the way – that does not exist.”
Joseph Campbell adds:
“If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it's not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That's why it's your path.”
When you surrender into Being, when you stop compromising, you can be shown your path, you can live it.
And it feels right. Only in the complete surrender to your path can you find true satisfaction and fulfillment.
Here, your Doings aren’t empty to you any more – they are nourished by your whole Being.
But why are there so few who are actually following their own path?
What other people think.
We depend on others for approval, for belonging. Our shared beliefs and stories offer us a feeling of certainty and security in the face of a world that is constantly changing. We become followers; we fear Doing things Differently, we fear doing it wrong and being rejected.
To branch out on our own? To throw away the received wisdom of the tribe, the comfort of feeling like we are a part of something?
Hooo … that can take boldness, especially in the beginning.
But if you want the truly Alive life, is there any other way?
Fill yourself up with Presence – here you find true belonging and certainty. From this you are freed from what other people think.
You can find and follow your path, you can dance your dance.
Not that I’m saying don’t enjoy your people, I’m saying you’re not confined and restrained by them.
We’re so used to looking outside of ourselves for the expert, for someone to tell us what to Do and who to Be. In establishing yourself in your Being, you become the expert. Here you find your guidance system, you finally listen to your intuition, your sense of rightness. You stop compromising, you find the boldness to go with surrender, you find the clarity to truly Live.
In Being you find your right Doing.
Go within, or go without.
Go well!
Arjuna