Once I asked a learned Chinese colleague, why the life has to be full of problems? Why it cannot be straight and simple? His reply was worth contemplating, “If life was simple and straight, don’t you think it would be so boring.”
In sport, we look forward to a tough fight. Tougher is the opponent, greater is the joy of playing. Why then the same is not true with respect to everyday events in the life? There must be something seriously wrong in the way we perceive the problems.
We seem to be living at two levels. One is the level of ‘existence’, where everything always happens in the present. At this level, we react to a situation spontaneously according to our capability and maturity. The other level is that of the ‘mind’, which is never present in the present. It is either journeying in the past gathering pride & guilt, or looking into future building anxiety & fear. At this level, competitions and comparisons are the orders of the day. Also, at this level, we don’t accept what is offered in the present. We want something ‘else’. It is our deep identification with this ‘mental living’ that gives rise to all the ‘problems’.
The key to making peace with problems is to first ‘accept’ whatever is currently offered in the life. Then, look for means of resolving a particular issue at hand with all sincerity. Having done whatever was required and possible under the circumstances, relax and be prepared to accept any outcome. It is strange but true. Events have a way of sorting themselves out. There are no ‘problems’ out in the world, there are only ‘opportunities’. We, however, perceive them as problems. Finally, I am inspired by the following prayer:
In sport, we look forward to a tough fight. Tougher is the opponent, greater is the joy of playing. Why then the same is not true with respect to everyday events in the life? There must be something seriously wrong in the way we perceive the problems.
We seem to be living at two levels. One is the level of ‘existence’, where everything always happens in the present. At this level, we react to a situation spontaneously according to our capability and maturity. The other level is that of the ‘mind’, which is never present in the present. It is either journeying in the past gathering pride & guilt, or looking into future building anxiety & fear. At this level, competitions and comparisons are the orders of the day. Also, at this level, we don’t accept what is offered in the present. We want something ‘else’. It is our deep identification with this ‘mental living’ that gives rise to all the ‘problems’.
The key to making peace with problems is to first ‘accept’ whatever is currently offered in the life. Then, look for means of resolving a particular issue at hand with all sincerity. Having done whatever was required and possible under the circumstances, relax and be prepared to accept any outcome. It is strange but true. Events have a way of sorting themselves out. There are no ‘problems’ out in the world, there are only ‘opportunities’. We, however, perceive them as problems. Finally, I am inspired by the following prayer:
“God grant me the
Serenity to accept
the things I cannot change…
Courage to change
the things I can...
and Wisdom to
know the difference.”
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