Opening Up To Rather Than Closing Up To Life

In the pursuit of a meaningful and fulfilling life, we grapple with our experiences, thoughts, and emotions, and we label them as inherently good or bad. Yet, these elements are neutral by nature; it is our identification and attachment to them which instills them with perceived value. By clinging to the good and pushing away the bad, we create resistance to the natural flow of life, ultimately limiting our experience and obstructing our path to true bliss.

Without identification, life experiences are, in essence, neutral; our subjective interpretation and emotional response then categorizes them as positive or negative. This dichotomy of labeling creates a distorted perception of reality, where we find ourselves in a constant struggle to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

Whether deemed positive or negative, personalised experiences arethe root of our suffering. When we cling to what we perceive as good, we live in fear of losing it. Conversely, when we reject what we perceive as bad, we expend energy in resistance. Both actions disrupt the natural and harmonious flow of life. This resistance manifests as stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction, creating a life experience that is far from fulfilling.

By letting go of our attachments, we open ourselves to the fullness of life. This does not mean becoming indifferent or apathetic, but rather adopting a perspective that allows us to engage with life without being ensnared by it. By observing our thoughts and emotions without judgment, we can navigate through life’s experiences with equanimity. This is essentially what awakening refers to: to move from the dream-like state of being trapped in illusory experiences (created by the mind), versus seeing and experience life moment to moment, as it is.

I believe meditation can, in part, facilitates this detachment. When practiced correctly, it allows us to observe life as it is, not as we think it should be. Meditation trains us to become aware of our thoughts and emotions without identifying with them. This then creates a space between our consciousness and our mental activity, enabling us to witness our internal world without becoming entangled in it.

Through regular meditation, we begin to experience moments of pure presence, where we are fully open and released from the chains of attachment. These glimpses of clarity can grow longer and more frequent, gradually transforming our entire life experience. In this state of heightened awareness, we realize that true bliss lies not in the avoidance of pain or the pursuit of pleasure, but in the acceptance of life in its entirety.

When we are fully present, we are not caught up in the regrets of the past or the anxieties of the future. We are here, now, experiencing life as it unfolds. This presence allows us to engage with life deeply and authentically, fostering a sense of peace and contentment.

Being present also means accepting the transient nature of life. Everything is in a constant state of flux; joy and sorrow, success and failure, pleasure and pain — they all come and go. By embracing this impermanence, we learn to flow with life rather than against it. We become resilient, adaptable, and open to the endless possibilities that each moment holds.

In this state of openness and presence, we find that life itself becomes a source of joy and harmony. By living fully released and fully open, we tap into a life of profound fulfillment.