How Are We Walking the Earth? Living in any big city can be very stressful. Some big cities may be better run or more nicely laid out then others and such a thing may better allow the people who live there to be more joyful and balanced. Many times though, it is not where we live but how we live and what we know that determines whether or not we are experiencing joy and balance or fear and anxiety. I had a chance to reflect on and experience this myself three years ago when I returned to the city of by birth, New York, after being away from it for 15 years. I remembered the dark thoughts, feelings and states of consciousness that I had living and growing up there until the age of 17. This journey there though allowed me to treasure the real beauty of the city, with its homes and houses, parks and trees, interesting neighborhoods and beaches, varied restaurants and eating places, and the joy of a new day with the warm sunshine and the opportunities that such a day provided for sharing, growing and learning. As a child there though, I seldom saw or experienced these things. Many of us do, unfortunately, walk this earth, no matter where we live, what we do, or where we go in ways that are not peaceful, respectful, and balanced. We many times see only our disappointments, anxieties, fears, and suffering and not those of others. Many times we think that our life and our burdens are the toughest without seeing or understanding what others face or deal with. And we may think that our perceptions are the reality and that the perceptions of others are not relevant, or worthwhile to listen to, and perhaps learn from. It is hard to see in what matter we walk the earth, especially when we have so much to do or keep us occupied each day or can be so isolated from others and the world. We may find that we spend much of our free time alone, in front of the television or reading a book. We may find that our time at and feelings about work are fraught with tension and resentment. We may also find that those that we live with, be it parents, children, lover, husband or wife, are people that we do not communicate well with, or fully love and respect in the way that we would like to or know that we should. In fact, there could be nothing more then downright anger and hatred among those in our family and household. We many times think that it would be best for others to change, but we seldom look at ourselves. It is hard to change others and such an attempt by us may lead them to start to resent us if we press the issue too much. In making a change to ourselves, we are directing the energy of our being to a more important area and hopefully, to a more open and willing individual, perhaps to someone who has some ways of thinking, speaking and acting that they are not fully mindful about. We do not always see our own pettiness, resentment or aversion to people and things clearly. We may not see the subtle ways that we may manipulate, abuse, ridicule or shame people. And many times, if we do eventually see these things, we may not want to or be able to apologize or be accountable for our actions. It is hard to see ourselves as we really are and how we are walking the earth. Many of us do not walk the earth in ways that are overtly or habitually abusive to others but instead are demeaning to ourselves. We may, through ignorance, unhealthy habits and routines and a feeling that we are not liked, loved or respected be walking down a path of life that leads us to anxiety and depression. We all want and at times, need to be heard, but may others can not hear us, just as when they try to fulfill the same need within them and we do not hear them. Making a change to walk the earth in a more skillful manner is not an easy thing to see the need for, awaken to or bring about. Can we be more gentle and still run a business? Can we be less greedy and then be satisfied with having or experiencing less? Is our fear of loneliness or being alone making us stay with someone or in a situation that is harming us? Can we talk with another with more patience, respect and understanding and not be fearful that they will think us to be unmanly, weak or not tough? Can we be open to others and seemingly vulnerable, and still have the respect of them? Those fears that we may have in life already may be the things that keep us from expanding and enhancing who and how we are. At times, people in all places will feel dissatisfied or bored with their lives. Living life constantly through the body and the senses can drag us down and make us dull and sluggish. Competitive sports can offer us an opportunity for exercise, stimulation and excitement, but they can also strengthen tendencies to jealousy, resentment, comparing ourselves to others, and the joy of victory and the agony of defeat. It does not take much experience in playing sports or watching them to see the number of conflicts and fights that have arisen through the playing of a game. And pretty soon, we are siding with our friend or team, not really seeing what is best, or who is right, but caught up in the same feelings that our life may be built around, those being anger, fear, aversion and resentment. So how does the change come about, if we really want to and are able to make it? Through stillness, through silence, and through turning off the television and shutting down the senses for a while? Probably. Through talking less and reflecting more? Perhaps. Through weakening tension in the body and mind and making the organs and systems of the body function more efficiently as we achieve when we practice the postures of Hatha Yoga? Certainly. To try these new things may not seem worthwhile to some, and the change in how we walk the earth may come in other ways. It may come when we have a near fatal accident and start to see life with greater insight and appreciation. It may come when a loved one passes on expectedly or unexpectedly and we see the mortality and limits of life within us all. It may come when we wake up in jail after a night of drinking and find out that we have accidentally killed a man in a drunken state or lost our job because of how we behave or had a spouse or loved one walk out on us. In all of these situations, we can still find the time and make the opportunity to change our life so we walk the earth with greater wisdom, insight and gentleness. The question if we really want to do this or think it is the best way to be is up to each one of us to reflect on. 2004 John C. Kimbrough (Bangkok, Thailand)
Posted on: Sat, 06 Jul 2013 16:37:33 +0000