When travelling to a new area we obtain information from a map. Maps provide us information and direction. Our mind contains many maps about life and living. These maps are shaped according to your concepts, beliefs, information, knowledge and realization. Your maps construct your truth. Depending on the nature of your map, what is true to you may change.
Truth is reality
Truth is reality. What is untrue is not real. When a person realizes this he questions his maps. Knowingly or unknowingly such a person continues to inquire whatever he sees, reads and hears. He questions what he is taught, what he learns and what arises in his mind. This is self inquiry. Once the process of self inquiry awakens in a mind, it continues effortlessly. Such a mind often asks….
"Is this true?"
"Do I truly know that this is true?
"Could another truth exist?
"What could that other truth be?"
"What if I let go of the truth I hold on to?"
"What if I accept a new truth instead of what I believe now?"
As you question the thoughts that arise in your mind your map about truth will change and a new map based upon an expanded reality will arise.
Resistance to inquiry
Does your mind resist inquiring your own thoughts? Is it uncomfortable to inquire your thoughts? Relax, there is nothing correct or incorrect in resisting. It is simply a reaction that arises from within. It arises unknowingly. Some people feel uncomfortable to question what they believe to be true. Why would this occur? In general it is because it is painful to question the thoughts. Questioning one’s thoughts may require letting go of a map one believed to be correct. It may require expanding and reconstructing a new map. Holding on to the old map may be more comfortable.
Facing pain
You can avoid facing the pain of altering your map of reality and continue to hold on to a false reality. This is easy and is the process many people find comfortable to do.
However as time passes this mistaken reality brings dissatisfaction. Such people feel that they are missing some thing in life.
A lacking feeling prevails throughout life, and an unfulfilled feeling governs life. In general they feel dissatisfied despite having all what they ever wanted.
Updating maps
A few realize this and question their thoughts continuously. Such self inquiry updates their maps of reality continuously. When your mind inquires and updates your maps, you begin to witness life clearer than before. Events, dealings, procedures, tasks and happenings become simple. A more complete picture of reality arises in your mind and you experience a greater freedom of mind.
Balancing Journey
Do you remember the first time you rode a bicycle? How was your balance? Maintaining balance the first time one cycles is a challenge to most. Initially you need to maintain balance consciously and as you are able to ride balance occurs automatically. You then need not think of balance. It occurs naturally. Mind and body adjusts and maintains balance. You are able to maintain balance and ride a bicycle.
An open heart
A person with an open heart accepts others’ ideas, suggestions, offers, plans, proposals and initiatives. Such a person is also open to objections, opposition, disagreement, protest, complaint, disapproval and hostility. What is relevant is accepted and the irrelevant is rejected.
Balance awakens freedom of the mind. Over expectation of responsibility will stress you. You will be burdened by the pressure of accepting too much responsibility. Once the discomfort of imbalance is realized one attempts to live a balanced life. Accepting responsibility and letting go of responsibility intelligently you are able to maintain balance.
When in balance truth becomes obvious. When in truth your mind is free. |
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