What with the prevalence of the movie The Secret, the law of attraction books, and such like, I hear from many people that they are engaged in consciously creating what they want in their lives. Often though, I find that people are attempting to create the means, rather than the end.
A story of teeth
For a couple of years now, I’ve noticed that my teeth hurt when I awake in the morning. Was I gritting my teeth in my sleep? I thought maybe I should do some research online, maybe talk to a dentist — but I did neither, it just never felt like the right time. All I knew for sure was that I didn’t want my teeth to hurt, and I assumed I’d find a means to that end sooner or later.
Then a few weeks ago, a piece of a tooth broke off. (This on the opposite side of my mouth from the teeth that hurt in the morning.) I went to the dentist and found I needed a crown, which I got. (In fact, I’d been saving money for crowns, assuming I’ll get one every year for a few years, so it was no surprise and no burden.)
Lo and behold, my teeth don’t hurt anymore in the morning! Maybe the crown changed the topography of my mouth, and I no longer grit my teeth at night. I don’t know. Whatever the cause, my teeth don’t hurt in the morning now — and that was my goal, that was my desired end, and that was what I focused on.
There are more creative forces in the universe than you and I
If I had focused on the means to get my teeth to stop hurting, never in my wildest imaginings would I have hit upon the idea to break one specific tooth and get a crown. But I focused on the desired end — teeth not hurting — and the means to that end were delivered to me. Release your attention to the means, and see what happens.
Keep asking why
To discern whether you are focused on the end or the means to get there, ask yourself why you want something.
You want to win the lottery — you think that is your goal. But ask yourself “Why?” To get lots of money. Again, ask “Why?” To feel safe and secure. “Why?” To have the freedom to be more creative. Maybe that’s the bottom line for you, to be more creative. Focus on your desired end. Remember that there are more creative forces in the universe than you or I, and forget about the means that you imagine will get you there. Let go, and see what means show up. Chances are very good that the means that do show up will be something you never would have imagined. You may not win the lottery, but you will find yourself being more creative.
Know what you want, and then get out of the way and allow all the mysterious creative forces of the universe to supply the means. Then you can write and tell us all what means showed up for you.
A Breath and Water reader writes:
It had been many months since I’d done my breath and water practice. I thought maybe I should just get off the mailing list. But I stayed on the mailing list, and I began my practice again, and I can’t find the words to express how good it feels. It’s been a month now, and I see many changes in my life. Thanks so much for sending the newsletters. I never would have begun again without them. Please don’t quit the Breath and Water newsletters even though you’re sending the weekly Tenacity Notes newsletter. I like that one too, I may even like it more since it’s easier to digest since it’s so short. But the Breath and Water newsletter is very important to me. Twice now I’ve seen my life change dramatically because of the Breath and Water practice. Thank you for continuing to send the Breath and Water newsletter.
Well, that answers that question. I’d been wondering if I should keep sending both newsletters.
Where am I?
I’m still in northern Minnesota, near Duluth. Deb has finally left Louisville and joined me here. It looks like I’ll be here until the RV parks close in early October. Deb will likely still be working in Duluth, while I’ll go south far enough to find a place to stay with the trailer (probably at the RV park at the Casino in Hinckley, MN, about 75 miles south)
Never a dull moment!
Breathe: 15 minutes of intentional breathing twice a day.
Drink: 8 glasses of water a day.
Enjoy!