There is a common myth among seekers of the truth, that there is a final goal that you will arrive at once you become self-realised. Thought can be so clever at holding on to an idea of a goal of some kind. Whether that goal is to appear and to feel really peaceful, to have no more worries or pain, or whether it is the non-dual goal of being ‘no-one’. It seems that the more you dive into ‘this’ message, and the more you see through old concepts, the more thought seems to become cleverer at hiding behind even higher or more subtle goals or resting places. Some kind of home for ‘me’ to rest in, or some kind of subtle idea that there is something a little more to add to what is already.
The nature of the mind is that it works in a linear way in time. One thing leads to another with the idea that in the end there must be a conclusion. This is how the mind works in every other area of life. It is always about achieving or getting somewhere. Thought imagines a future dream or goal and then projects the path leading to the goal and how ‘I’ can get there. The goal is to find a resting place for ‘me’. This is a constant chasing and overlooking the reality that the only resting place is already right here. This is the nature of thought. There is no need to try to change this. Any trying is, in fact, again believing the idea that there is something more to achieve. Simply in recognising the nature of thought and seeing the way it works, then it is obvious that it will highjack everything and turn it into a path and a goal. Thought may try to claim a position again and again, but in recognising the nature of thought, there is a compassion for the innocent way that thought tries its best to help out. There is nothing else it can do. But the solution or resting place is never in thought. It is in recognising that no matter what thought suggests, it is all meaningless and unreliable. There is never any resting place in thought. There is only more chasing and more future goals.
Beyond thought there is no goal. When we don’t refer to thought then there is nothing to achieve. Nothing that needs to be understood or fall into place. Nothing but the never-ending unraveling of the mystery of life itself. Everything happens for its own sake without it leading anywhere or for any purpose or reason. It is all simply an overflow of playful energy bubbling up as whatever is experienced.
In seeing the nature of the mind, it becomes more obvious that as soon as thought comes to a conclusion, that this is not really any solid ground to stand on. Seeing thought for what it is in an endless losing, an endless dying. Not ever believing that thought ever means anything or refers to anyone, no matter how convincing or tempting it may seem. There is no end to this losing. Never believing that ‘I have arrived’. There is no final goal of ‘enlightenment’ or fulfillment for the mind to claim. What a disappointment for the spiritual seeker!
Instead it is a never-ending freefalling into vulnerability. Never knowing or relying on thought when it creates beautiful or horrible dreams as landing positions for ‘me’ to imprison myself again. This can be painful, uncomfortable or overwhelming as well as joyful or just plain ordinary. This freefall includes whatever is happening without any idea of what should or shouldn’t be. Fully feeling and experiencing life as it happens can be in any way. As thought is seen through endlessly, life reveals itself in the simple experiences. Without any path to follow, any goal to aim for or any thought to rely on, all there is is the sensation that is felt right now. This raw alive feeling. But thought can highjack even this and try to do or imagine what I mean! See thought for what it is right now and know the vulnerability of not getting it. This is the freefall that is already and always…
Unmani
