Action is unavoidable. Ordinary action is largely deterministic and routine, making the bulk of our ‘doingness’. However, there is another order of action that is motivated from within by an evolutionary impulse, which is produced neither by pre-established routines or the pleasure-pain principle. This higher motivation is rooted in and guided by vision. Vision arises from our Being rather than our ego and seeks to bring into existence a seedthought, which resides in the subtle realm of intuition. Vision does not have to be earth shaking, and can apply equally to something as basic as cooking or renovating a home. In its manifestation, vision can be influenced or distorted by our conditioning and negative beliefs. However, the evolutionary impulse that produces vision is the same impulse that motivates us to purify ourselves, to seek the good and to gain self-knowledge. Yoga philosophy understands this and knows full well the risks that are associated with the conjunction of vision and conditioning; hence it urges spiritual practice (sadhana) for purification and Self-awareness as the guardian and foundation of our human life.
Projects arising from vision are by their very nature creative. Something new is to be brought forth, and this will require action. These actions, however, are not pre-established as in the case of routines. From where, then, will they be generated? Since vision arises from within, no one and no thing from the outside, such as a boss or a manual, will be able to tell us what to do. We will no doubt use the insights and suggestions of other people, books, etc, to fuel our thought processes, but in the end our choices will come from within ourselves and we will have to assume responsibility for them. This is the point at which many people simply quit. It is one thing to have a vision, it is another to actualise it. In the actualisation of something there is risk and we alone are responsible for the success or failure of our choices and actions. Most people simply lack the self-confidence and self-esteem to risk failure, and thus practice avoidance. Only those with a strong, positive sense of self will have the courage to fail, while the rest will simply refuse the challenge. That is why most people prefer to have a boss, a priest or the popular media tell them what to do and how to think.
The strength of both our vision and our commitment to that vision, will be the motive force behind our actions. If our intention is weak, we simply will not act. If our intention is wavering, we will lack the spirit of enquiry necessary to dig out the answers we are looking for; we will not be resourceful. Both big and small projects require clear, firm intention to carry them off. Ultimately, intention arises from the same Source as the body-mind and is not a product of the ego. Support may be necessary for realising our projects, and it can take many forms. A competent coach is one of the most effective means of support we can utilise. A coach is someone who is able to provide guidance, feedback and the occasional ‘shove’ when needed. He or she also knows how and when to ask the right questions. In fact, if he is good, he will be more inclined to ask questions than give advice, knowing that it is more powerful to make one’s own discovery than to be told. We all have blind spots, things about ourselves we cannot see even though they are directly in front of our face. The coach will be able to recognise these ‘dead zones’ and point them out to us. He will enable us to get a broader, more realistic grasp of ourselves and tap our own potential to greater depth. It takes humility to have a good coach, because when he points out our failings and weaknesses – flaws we believe we had long since transcended – it will hurt. Our egos will smart and our self-importance will take a blow. However, if we let the coaching ‘in’, we will become stronger, saner and more effective. The coach will also spur us to greater accomplishment, because he will see our potential where we do not. We will say, ‘I can’t do it’ and he will say, ‘You can, now do it!’
Ultimately, we develop the capacity to self-generate action through action alone. We discover that there are no short cuts to success in action and that only practice makes perfect. We observe where we quit or stop short, then re-commit to go further next time. We learn to avoid ‘beating ourselves up’ when we fail or discover our weaknesses. We can and should utilise whatever resources are available, but in the final analysis we realise that we are own best resource. Slowly but surely, we build the internal strength that will enable us to become unstoppable.
No comments:
Post a Comment