Going in circles

“Why is my life going in circles?”

“Why can’t I achieve what I set my intention on?”

“Why is there too much turbulence in my life?”

These are common questions I get to hear from my clients. There is too much turbulence in life because when something good happens, we are overjoyed and want to party hard. When something unpleasant happens, we sink into the bottomless pit of depression and sorrow. This type of behaviour can be compared to the movement of the outer rim of a wheel. It is always in motion.

When we are at the periphery, whatever decisions we make, or actions we take, are liable to be fallacious because they are coming from a wrong foothold. Each future moment is born from the present moment. When the present moment itself is full of turmoil, how can one hope that the future will bring success and peace?

But, take a look at the center of the wheel- it is static and stable. In life, from the incessant peripheral movement, inch by inch, we have to move toward the center. Once there, you will experience the inner peace and stability. You will gradually realise that there is no control over the external incidents. But with practice, we can decide on how we let those external incidents affect our internal environment. We can choose to respond, instead of reacting, maintaining our inner peace.

Moving toward the center

What will help us to move toward the center of this wheel of life? By being in total awareness of whatever we are doing, or being totally present in the here and now.

When we are totally involved in our actions, there are three advantages:

1.       The outcome of our action will be the best

2.       We do not get tired or bored

3.       Time will pass so quickly that you won’t even come to know

So, bringing total awareness into all your actions, or being completely present in the here and now is a very desirable habit to develop. Then you will surprise yourself at how you can remain calm in spite of whatever happens around you.

How to bring in the total awareness

Usually when we are doing one thing, our mind wanders to other areas of life. Our job is to catch the mind doing that. Then nothing needs to be done. Once you look squarely at the new thought that has crept in, it loses its hold on you and fades away. Gradually you  will be able to achieve your objective. This transformation will take its own time, but it is worth the effort.