Be Aware of Your Intentions

There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind,
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest,
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted,
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.

The master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them,
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.
(Tao Te Ching)

When you experience pain, try to understand why this pain is there. Finding the root cause of your painful experience will allow you to snap out of it quicker. When you are mindful you will realize that most of your pain comes from the fact that you want to be better than other people in some areas, be it wealth, status, career, learning or looks. The amazing thing - as we found out - you can even strive to be more spiritually enlightened or happy than others. When you compete with others you always create pain. Either you seek for ways to undermine others or you beat yourself up for not being good enough, or for having sinned by having bad thoughts about others.

You can't wish away your nature, but you can study the yin and yang of your own and other people's action. Study them and learn from life's school. Try to be aware of your intentions as you do things and interact with others. Channel your activity into creative outlets; create things and relationships instead of redistributing them. Accept your drive but don't take it out on others and don't beat yourself up over it. Every pain you might cause in a competitive struggle will come back to you. And every longing has a creative expression that benefits everyone.

When you feel pain because you perceive some other as more special, know that your ego is in pain. When you feel exuberant because you are better than someone else, know it is your ego in excitement. As you study your intentions and life's feedback loops you will naturally start walking in a different direction because these ego struggle bring nothing but an endless cycling without going anywhere. As you channel your energies in a new creative and productive direction you are able to express and enjoy your uniqueness.

There is nothing to be sad about when you feel a little resistance and there is nothing to be happy about when things are going your way.  Just like there is no reason to be more happy when the sun is shining. Rain or shine, life's cycle is at work so sit at the center of the wheel and enjoy yourself. Experience everything as it is.  You are in peace with yourself and your life.  Have fun!

By Christian and Su Zhen