Finding peace in a frantic world.

The pleasure of the measure

Many measure their worth or themselves by what they have or own. Many measure themselves by what they do. Some however, live just by being.

We are able to recognise from the people we know, which of these ways they measure themselves, how they perceive and project themselves onto the world.

Progressing through these measures of self isn’t usually a linear path. Many never make it to being, however, many of us make spiritual progress through our lives just by our lived experience, age and learnt wisdom. Those who have had a calling or a head start, will make spiritual progress much sooner.

The way humans are conditioned and cultured alters our perception of the self and reality.

Humans can easily become attached to the false self (ego), so much so, that should for example one lose their job, they lose their identity too, not a pleasant thing to go through at all. If one spends much of their life living for example as an Architect, engineer or a Director of a company, this becomes one’s persona and identity, the false self (note spelled with a small s). These are all but roles, role playing, no different to those who do cosplay, dressing up in costume to bring about a new identity. The costume isn’t you, neither is a role. As Shakespeare once said, “all the world’s a stage” and we are all actors playing roles on that stage.

This is not to diminish or suggest that these skills and roles are not of value to others within a society, but we can only take them for what they are, not what they are not.

For those looking to follow a spiritual path into enlightenment, playing roles only hinders ones progress. It would be more beneficial to say that my role is for example an Architect rather than saying I am an Architect. Understanding that we are human beings not our cultured and programmed roles is nearer to truth. Humility and humbleness is a great leveller.

Once we go down the path of playing roles, we are not being, because; we concern ourselves with the how should I answer this query?, how should I behave?, how should I act?, how should I react? how should I dress? how should I speak. If you are being, one doesn’t have to concern oneself with the hows, you can just be. This is why it is so important to have good values, good intentions and good thoughts to ensure one does good deeds. Besides; playing roles and acting is draining, why not be yourself? The acting often becomes more evident with the hierarchy of the role, whereby the true self becomes buried beneath layers of ego and fallacy.

One can’t really own anything, because to own something is but a human concept. Ownership requires one to see the world as separate, which is the opposite aim of enlightenment e.g oneness. If we come across a stone boulder on a beach, how does this then become owned by someone? An idea in the mind? an agreement between humans? a written contract? these concepts / non-things are not real. It’s thinking that creates a feeling of this concept of ownership likely driven from early childhood.

We can “have” money but we can’t be rich, not at least in coins and notes. One can become rich, but not in the way most of us recognise or give any recognition to. The money, the things, the objects all sit outside of us, not within our spiritual being, hence, the age old term, “you can’t take it with you”.

Being; is the ultimate aim for anyone on a spiritual journey. Being in that moment, being present in mind, just being. What a beautiful place that is.

If you would like to support this blog, please consider purchasing this incredible spiritual book which I have just had the pleasure of reading. The book confirmed for me, many of my own experiences on my spiritual journey. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is at no extra cost to you. The link will take you to Amazon which will allow you to look at the details about the product. Also see “terms” section for further details. Click the button below to view product.

Signs book via Amazon