Most people seem to approach life with a defensive shield. Can we be friends with life and, in turn, let it carry us affectionately in its bosom? Sounds great, but how does it happen? Enthusiastic exploration in that direction can be interesting and transforming.It would be good to understand the hidden currents of life and let that understanding guide us so that we can see the need and possibility of harmony with life. It is also necessary to be clear about what makes us be governed by fear rather than by an adventurer’s attitude. When we apply ourselves to these things, we begin to see the causal factors for alienating ourselves from life.
Factors of Alienation: It is helpful to understand the factors of alienation because our awareness in that direction can free us from parting company with life. Those factors are primarily psychological and are a result of inherited and acquired neurological habit of mankind. Because that habit has the momentum of centuries, it is not easy to be immune to it. However, with deep interest in that direction it is possible to understand how that habit enslaves us. The following paragraphs explain some of the major factors that cause alienation.
Self-importance: The conventional neurology makes us form an image about ourselves based on the bodily form and our strength, weakness, success and failure. The image is also based on identification with a nation, religion, race, language etc. Our waking-time psychology is largely governed by the protective attitude of that image. In other words, the image creates the separation between our true Being and life. The process of how this image is formed and sustained by the thought-running habit of our minds is the key factor to be aware of. The image, which is the ego, is due to unawareness; so only awareness can dissolve it. Can one live without the image? For handling the practical matters of life, an identity is necessary. The thing that does the harm is not that identity but the emotionally formulated image of oneself with its self-importance. J. Krishnamurti’s talks throw clear light on this matter of the image.
Lack of Application: There is generally a tendency to be hooked on to the result of our efforts. The result, no doubt, has a rightful place, but to be emotionally attached to it takes away the joy of application. When we enjoy the process, the result would be generally good. Even if the result is adverse, it will not land us in depression; we will have the boldness to face the result with equanimity.
Lack of Adventurous Attitudes: There is a general tendency to play safe. No doubt, it is wise to do so because otherwise one may indulge in foolhardy endeavors. However, to be bold wisely can be a matter of being intelligently adventurous.
Narrow-minded Perspectives: Most people have their minds revolving within a narrow sphere of perspectives. This allows the ego to have its ways – one of the prime factors in making us part company with life. It is possible to wonder about the vast scheme of things of which our own life is a small part. To pay attention to those aspects of life widens our perspectives. Messages from paranormal phenomena, such as the NDE and the OBE can also help us here.
There are many other issues in life that can help us understand that life is a friend and that living vibrantly is not difficult. Related matters are covered in the site http://spirituality.yolasite.com.