Murray Oxmans’ handbook; “How to Beat the Stress & Get More Out of Life” says this:
“We are all conditioned to think that painful thoughts and feelings we have are not only needful, but that they are us. But they are not. We are not the worries, regrets and self-criticisms we experience. We are neither the stressful feelings nor the elated feelings. None of it.”
This short paragraph is from Chapter 2 titled: “A New Way to Approach Problems.” There are many life lessons in this paragraph and here is one: You have to put down your present life before you can pick up a new life. This is a law of the Universe. No cheating around this, it is absolute. If you are holding something in your hands and you seek to examine something else, you must first put down what you are holding. It’s the same psychologically, if I’m holding onto an old idea, I must put it down to examine a new idea.
There are so many ways we keep ourselves out of the peaceful life. There is another existence that you personally can experience. You are the only obstacle in your way.
Once you find it and see it superiority, you can’t return to your old life. Fact: The new life never gets old. Your old life will never get new.
I have read that little handbook of Murray’s several times, the sad thing is I do not remember that paragraph you quote, which is a sign of resistance. It seems I do not want to put the old down to allow space for the new. I want to know what the new looks like before I let go of the old, with this kind of attitude I will be wallowing in the old forever. Time to choose differently !
Right Glenda, You are not alone. Most people will die on this planet holding onto the old. Thinking they are being intelligent and wise. I simply can’t afford to hold onto that old any longer. The fight within to hold onto the old is stunning. But we do have one power, which we forget to use. The power to choose, even if we fail, that power is available. Choose again. I’m doing it right now, because right now is all there is. My mind (thoughts) has arsenal of why not to let go. So, as Vernon says, ” just do it.” Dropping the old takes you to new places within. Holding onto the old keeps you where you are.
Great comment Glenda! We can’t have 2 masters. I always want to play it safe and try to balance the two. Also, how beautiful self honesty is.
If I don’t experience the words, I need to realize and admit that instead of pretend to understand and enjoy them.
Yes Tim, we all need to take the “happiness test,” I am either enjoying my life right now, or I am not. Self honesty is another powerful tool for all true escapees. Be True to truth. Or to say it another way, I’m either holding onto the old, or experiencing the new. It’s that simple, don’t let that mind come in and lie.