Relevance Part 4
February 7, 2025
Relevance Part 4
Some of us are stretched with too many commitments, but we maintain them even if we lack time. We hang in there because they are relevant to us. When we do as many relevant things as possible, it may feel good that we can keep all the balls in the air. But there is a price to pay. And that price can be our sense of happiness and calm — our physical health and well-being. Even our spiritual growth can suffer. Being stretched spreads us too thinly, and we are not present for any of it. We wonder why our lives are so unsatisfying and exhausting even while we do so many wonderful things.
The heart calls us to what is most relevant, and if we put our energies into those, we gain genuine satisfaction. But we get calls from many other directions and spend time there. For example, we may keep up an activity or interest because we do not want to let someone down. We may stick with an activity we are no longer passionate about because we are loyal to the cause. We may do something we dislike but are willing to do it for the attention of others, to feel included, to be seen in a particular light, or for some compensation. We may participate in activities that are non-essential to our well-being but that attract our fancy. We may do something because, at the time, it makes us feel good, but in the end, it fails to meet a deep need. Weeding out the truly essential from the non-essential is a matter of consciousness.
Many interests and activities are purely for ego gratification, and for that reason, can be myriad and take lots of our time. That’s why we need to inspect all our activities by asking if they feed something that diminishes or strengthens us and if they are essential or non-essential to our being. Once we drop into our hearts and ask these questions, we can hone out our most precious activities and discontinue those that do not gratify our hearts in ineffable ways.
Our egos can commit to far more than they can comfortably do… especially if we are inflated. When inflated, our egos are totally in charge, unchecked, and call the shots. In this condition, we believe and obey our ego because we give it license to further its narrative about the “story of me.” The ego thinks its narrative and our sense of “me” is the most important thing. Therefore, in the ego’s estimation, we can never be or do enough.
The truth is that we are enough just as we are. There is no emergency to find the true “me,” crack the code, reach nirvana, or feel loved by all those whose love we crave or work for. These may seem like emergencies because they promise that we will be happy if we achieve them. But making us happy is not in the ego’s power. The only way to happiness is following steady and upward spiritual growth if we desire.
Spiritual practice: Ask your heart if you need to unburden yourself from one or more of your activities. If you indeed need to be free from any activities, the heart tells you what must go. Be aware that your ego mind responds with very believable reasons to stay engaged with the activities in question. Instead of arguing with your ego mind, relax and focus on the source of light in your heart. As you enter heart space, be aware of the impressions you receive. These impressions are from your depths, your soul’s home. It’s up to you whether to do anything about what you discover.
Self-inquiry: What would be in their place if you let go of some non-essential activities?
Dear God,
I pray for access to my heart and soul. Amen
