Around noon today, I saw a guy in fancy ski gear with a big black smudge on his forehead. The words from the Ash Wednesday service surfaced: “Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.” Skiing and penance? Giving up stuff? Self-mortification? Self-denial?
Later I ran into a friend who does Iron Man triathalons. Should I be setting higher goals for myself? Do I drive myself hard enough?
I’m trained and educated in self denial. Twelve years of catholic education drilled that into my unconscious. I’m also educated in denial’s polar opposite: setting and achieving goals. Forty years in management drilled that into my unconscious. Anyone want to train for a marathon May 1st?
Taken to an extreme, either approach leads to violence towards one’s self, which after all doesn’t need much mortification or vigorous goal setting.
A challenge is to just be who we already are. To be aware of the present moment without evaluation or judgment. To allow the noise in our heads to gently subside, even if it’s just for a moment or two, so we can glimpse things as they really are.
When we are aware we don’t need much “mortification” or “challenge goals”.
We can simply and intensely engage in the present moment and be true to our deepest self.
“When the mango tree is true to itself, fruits happen.”
We practice awareness as gently as possible so we may discover our true self. Fruits will happen.