| Can you really create the life that you want? | | | | when you stop beating yourself up; when you stop |
| Furthermore, can you create it in an easy and relaxed | | | | berating the world for its obvious shortcomings; and |
| way, unfolding gracefully? Is it possible to offer no | | | | when you stop using other people to be part of your |
| resistance to life, to be in a state of elegance, | | | | internal script, then life itself begins to unfold the way |
| effortlessness, and buoyancy while still getting what | | | | that is best for you. |
| you really want? Can you move beyond being | | | | Your resistance to life is the cause of all your suffering. |
| dependent on things being a certain way, good or ill, | | | | This resistance is expressed though struggle. This |
| and gently move toward the life that makes you feel | | | | struggle, in turn, becomes increasingly more complex, |
| content, safe, and successful? | | | | exhausting you, and the harder you try to figure things |
| I think the best answer to this question can come from | | | | out, the more confused you get. |
| someone who has done it. | | | | We aren't talking about becoming a sluggard, or not |
| Here is what Eckhart Tolle, in The Power Of Now, | | | | thinking, or not acting. We're talking about creating |
| says about experiencing a life that is worth living, | | | | sufficient inner mental quiet to observe what is actually |
| where there is enough joy and freedom in each day | | | | happening so that you can effortlessly act intelligently in |
| to express your unique and authentic self: | | | | any situation. Our tension creates confusion, which then |
| "It seems almost paradoxical, yet when your inner | | | | creates unintelligent living. |
| dependency on form is gone, the general conditions of | | | | Allowing your life to flow with ease, then, is not about |
| your life, the outer forms, tend to improve greatly. | | | | abandoning your goals and drifting or hoping something |
| Things, people, or conditions that you thought you | | | | better shows up soon. Instead, it is about deciding what |
| needed for happiness now come to you with no effort | | | | is best for you and allowing it to unfold in a very |
| or struggle on your part, and you are free to enjoy | | | | natural way, without coercion, second-guessing, or |
| and appreciate them--while they last. | | | | getting in your own way. |
| All those things, of course, will still pass away, cycles | | | | Once you lower your resistance to events, your mind |
| will come and go, but with dependency gone there is | | | | becomes sharper and your energy is more expansive. |
| no fear of loss anymore. Life flows with ease. The | | | | All sorts of wonderful things then happen. Some of |
| happiness that is derived from some secondary | | | | them are quite logical and make perfect sense. Others |
| source is never very deep. It is only a pale reflection of | | | | border on the mystical. Serendipidity and synchronicity |
| the joy of Being, the vibrant peace that you find within | | | | start to show up more often. |
| as you enter the state of nonresistance." | | | | Another way of describing this entire process is |
| Yes, life can be wonderful, if you let it. And that is the | | | | learning how to dance. Instead of grimly marching from |
| trick: letting it be the way it is. In that space of allowing, | | | | one event to another, believing you are making some |
| new opportunities that you had not dreamed of come | | | | small progress and feeling unbelievably frustrated in the |
| your way, and a new and splendid life comes to you | | | | process, dance with life as it unfolds for you. Set your |
| of its own accord. | | | | intention, release it, do what comes to mind as the best |
| How does this happen? When you stop pushing, | | | | course of action, but stay mindful, stay open, and allow |
| forcing, and trying to make things go a certain way; | | | | grace, ease, and lightness to inform your experiences. |
