Direction

Where are you going? What is the direction of your life? These are questions I ask myself nearly daily as part of my practice. The most immediate answer is, "I am growing old and then I will die." This brings me to my senses and allows me to get serious about my day's direction.

So much of what motivates all of us is inconsequential. It is based in fear of wanting. The more we have, the more we fear losing it. Simplicity of living is the cure for this fear. The way to simplicity is hard. Maintaining simplicity in a materialistic and competitive society is even harder. 

I try to choose the way to peace and joy through love by living simply. Picking out this path requires quite a bit of vigilance, meditation and reflection. It is all too easy to be distracted when trying also to help others on their way. I understand why many people who practice lives of peace and love retire from urban life. 

It can be easy at times to create an illusion that all direction in my life comes from me. Life, however, is interactive. My body has its limitations. The Universe is a place of random events in time and space. My direction is an intention at best. My path is inevitably diverted around obstacles and through circumstances which are out of my control. 

I try to practice doing those activities each day which enable me to walk my path upright and able to keep my eyes on the goals of peace and joy through loving. This is the direction I would seek. Dealing with the details of life is eased by knowing I am on course and living my ideals, no matter what circumstances I encounter along the way.