Summary

The article discusses the importance of awareness and detachment from desires to overcome the suffering caused by the inability to be in multiple places or do multiple things at once.

Abstract

The author emphasizes the futility of trying to stretch oneself too thin by being everywhere and doing everything, which only leads to exhaustion and frustration. Instead, the article suggests that the root cause of suffering is not the desire itself but the attachment to these desires. By cultivating awareness and embracing silence, individuals can detach from their egoic perspectives and find inner peace, even amidst chaotic circumstances. The author provides personal anecdotes and practical advice on how to practice witnessing one's actions and emotions, which can lead to a more intuitive and mindful life. The article concludes by encouraging readers to let go of self-imposed limitations and embrace a conscious life through the power of awareness.

Opinions

The author believes that the desire to be in multiple places or do multiple things simultaneously is an unrealistic expectation that causes unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Attachment to desires, rather than the desires themselves, is identified as the true source of suffering.
Stress and overwhelming situations diminish the capacity for clear thinking and good decision-making.
Silence and awareness are presented as healing forces that can counteract the negative effects of stress and attachment.
The article suggests that by practicing witnessing, individuals can create a separation between themselves and their circumstances, leading to higher consciousness and inner peace.
The author advocates for embracing the present moment and accepting that everyone is where they are meant to be, which can alleviate the pressure of wanting to be elsewhere.
The author posits that once awareness is experienced, many previously held concerns become trivial, and a state of bliss can be achieved.
The article promotes the idea that life should be allowed to flow naturally, without forcefully stretching oneself to meet unrealistic expectations.

How to Break Your Mind’s Limit if You Want to Be at Peace (And Stop Struggling In Life)

Is life stretching your limits? Know how to increase awareness and transcend limitations by living a conscious life.

Who would not want to teleport themselves with the sling ring of Doctor Strange? Well, many of us would love that.

Dealing with overwhelming work and duties, we want to be everywhere. Be it completing work at the office, doing dishes at home, spending time with kids, or meeting a friend.

But the wish of doing everything at once can never happen. It is not humanely possible to work multiple things or be at various places. You can only be in one place doing one thing.

Still, you feel pressured to do your best and be there for everybody.

The craving to do the right thing, the guilt of not doing enough, and the frustration of under-delivering suffocate you. Physically and mentally, you stretch yourself thin.

But it does not have to be this way.

Stretching Your Limits Leaves You Exhausted and Full of Frustration

I visited my best friend after a gap of 6 years. But unexpected events halted my plans in the last few weeks.

She is a leading dentist in her area. Upon examining my dental state, she worked out a perfect treatment plan. But due to unforeseen difficulties, my work could not get completed. And I had to postpone my return ticket by a week.

Within that week, she got sick. A terrible stomach infection gripped her. We went to the hospitals for various tests. I again delayed my ticket by a week.

When she felt better, I consulted a physiotherapist for my chronic backache. Now, we both were undergoing some form of treatment.

After a few days, I got a call from my mother saying my father's blood pressure had dropped, and he was not feeling well. My parents live in Himachal Pradesh. And I was miles away from them.

My heart at once wanted to be with him. But it could not. I called my other friend (who lives near my parent's house). She consulted some doctors and provided me with their feedback.

I wanted to be with my parents. I wanted to be with my friend and wished to complete my physio sessions as well. But doing everything at once was not possible.

Stretching my limits and trying to be everywhere does not solve the problem. Instead, it increases frustration and anxiety.

Why I'm telling you all this?

Because many times we think we have to do certain things, be at some place or with someone else.

Instead of relishing the present, our minds get stuck. It desires something other than what it already is. The race seems never-ending.

Desire to Do/Be Is NOT the Root Cause of Your Suffering. It Is Something Else.

It is impossible to be in two places, doing two different things. Your body will always be in one place. You might like it or not.

You may be in the office and want to meet your lover. You may want to meet your friends and loved ones in a different city. You may be in the hospital and rush to get back home.

The desire is not a problem.

You may desire anything. It is not the root cause of your suffering.

So, what is the root cause?

It is an attachment.

Your 'attachment to the desire' makes you suffer.

Being a hundred miles away from home is a problem once I get obsessed with getting home. I'm planning to reach there at the earliest. But getting hooked on the idea will create unnecessary tension and anxiety.

My unwell father might be a problem when he cannot get good care. But fixating on the idea that only I can provide it can create extreme stress.

Attaching your expectations with the desire makes us all miserable.

Many times, situations are not in favor. Many times we feel overburdened and overwhelmed. Don't fight it off with intellect. Don't make it all sound-wise.

Instead, act and relax in the present.

Awareness Helps. Silence Heals.

Stress reduces thinking ability. Decision-making capacity goes down. In haste, your many decisions could be impulsive, not wise.

During the chaos, silence is the only place that heals.

Whenever any distressing situation arises, I immediately go into awareness mode. It rises automatically and shatters my egoic perspective.

My mind may feel the pull in every direction, but awareness grounds it. The silence and stillness happen. Outside situations may worsen, but my inner feeling is mainly anchored in peace.

How to bring awareness to your experience

My experience may sound magical. But it was not always the case. I learned from my struggle and pain.

Don't run away from your painful situations. They are here for a reason. They are your best friend in finding a way to your inner peace.

Practice witnessing your actions and emotions.

Start by doing it in your good times. Like while eating, washing hands, etc. Witness your actions, the cool water, or the taste.

Then slowly extend your witnessing in your conversations, actions, and thoughts.

Witness means to watch like a spectator. Like a spectator, you'll see the movie unfolding in front of you without getting the impulse to get involved.

Every time there are

You (the subtle witness),
You (the dense ego, your perception about yourself), and
The situation.

The witness is always separate from everything. You may choose to indulge in every drama or watch it.

When you become aware of the choice, your consciousness rises.

Since childhood, we act impulsively. Indulging in each scenario and reacting according to limited understanding.

But each time, we have a choice.

The choice is only visible to those who have built some distance between the situation and themselves. Awareness helps in creating this space.

You'll slowly detach yourself from your thoughts, emotions, and actions when you practice. An intuitive and mindful life starts to take place. Peace always anchors you.

When the consciousness of your inner emotions increases, you release the unnecessary traumas you create for yourself. You'd quickly enter a witnessing state; when chaos strikes.

You may still feel the desire. But awareness decreases the impulsive pull. It centers you in your inner self.

Amidst the chaos, when awareness arose within me, I realized I was at the right place at the right moment. And everybody is where they are meant to be.

Takeaways

Unpredictable life will stretch your limits. Learn to let go of all limitations that you bind yourself with.

Stop stretching yourself thin by entering the awareness mode. It expands your mind and allows life to flow the way it wants to flow. Then a conscious life arises.

Once you have known awareness, nothing is worth it — you have known the greatest bliss of life. Then, suddenly, many things simply drop; they become stupid,become foolish. — Osho

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