Submitted by Digital Kin on
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In ancient Indian philosophies, the word Maya is used to describe the "illusion" of the ever changing, non-permanent world in which we live. The ephemeral nature of life can cause us stress and make us feel ungrounded. So what is real? We've been conditioned to be materially focused to the point where some don't believe in anything beyond it. When I say material, I mean the physical plane of existence where we use our five senses to make sense of the world we interact with. When we see the world strictly from this point of view, it can be discouraging and disheartening.
Being exclusively materially focused creates limited, short-term satisfaction. As an example, if you have a wonderfully succulent meal, does it satisfy you? Yes! But for how long? Temporarily. Maybe for a number of hours or days, but then what? Dissatisfaction creeps in and now you want more. Or if you have a mind-blowing sexual experience, it can rock you to the core - in a good way. But then what? You want it again. And most of the time, whether it's with drugs, sex, deal-making, money, an exciting travel adventure or winning a prestigious position or award, the thrill can never be matched again in exactly the same way, leaving us chasing another experience to bring back the "high" that we experienced. This is also the cycling of addiction. And as the illusion of satisfaction is perpetuated, we suffer in our pursuit. Now I'm not saying we can't or shouldn't have wonderful experiences, we can and should. However, the idea that some circumstances "out there" in the world are going to give us lasting satisfaction is false.
Let's look at the dark side of the material world for a moment. Resources are scarce. People compete with each other to get what they want and need, often resulting in extreme selfishness: fighting, killing, wars, and famine, to name a few of these results. Big helpings of this are cooked up and served by the media every day.
Here in America, we have mastered the game of wealth and material affluence. Sure, not everyone experiences that to the same degree, but consider this: A huge number of people in this country live a higher standard of living than thousand of years of royalty did throughout millennia. Almost anyone with a desire and willingness to work can achieve affluent financial and material wealth status here. And there is nothing wrong with that, except when we make material wealth our god.
Lasting satisfaction cannot be achieved through this method. One car accident or devastating health diagnosis can take away all of that in an instant. Cliche, yes, but true: money cannot buy happiness. Again, temporarily, it can. But in terms of lasting satisfaction, no. It is the illusion of satisfaction. A delusive mirage that shimmers but cannot be taken possession of.
So what does deliver lasting satisfaction, if not by these means? Well, first knowing that the material world will NOT provide you with this is the first step. Adjusting our expectations accordingly will give us more peace than any perfectly orchestrated circumstance of material bounty. Our desire and our neediness are traps. When we see rock stars in all of their glory or famous actors walking the red carpet, we tend to think that if only we could have favorable circumstances, then we could be happy. It's not true. As we continue to chase satisfaction by lining up the right situation, inevitably we come up empty in the end because it cannot be sustained forever. Even those who've orchestrated their lives to perfection - reflecting all the good things life - would tell you that ultimately, there is no prize, there is no finish line, no magic moment of "Now I'm satisfied!" It is as elusive as grains of sand passing through your hand at the beach. I'm not saying you shouldn't strive for what you want. You should! But know that the process and the journey should be enjoyed with the same satisfaction, if not more, than getting your hands on the result.
Satisfaction of any significant value can only be found within. When you enter the kingdom of your own heart, that is where eternity exists. It is here that you can find lasting satisfaction. The immortal divinity within you: your love, your passion, your kindness, and your inspiration is what remains when everything else disappears. It's not what you can get that is meaningful, but what you can give. So enjoy the material world and live fully within it. Just don't be attached to outcomes or need circumstances to be perfect in order to feel the peace of satisfaction. Look inside and realize that you are what you've been searching for the entire time.
http://www.manpowerproject.com/blog/category/metaphysical-practices