In this podcast, Michael discusses the most primal of all addictions. The addiction to our sense of being a separate self defines what Buddhists call delusion. Our tendency to depend on our self-created stories about what is true and what is not true generates our suffering, according to Michael. But it is our ability to see through these stories that lets us uproot them at their source, thus allowing for us to be free of them. Freedom from our addictions to these various stories lets us source our behavior and activity from a place of depth and openness.
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having a job is a story. wanting to earn a particular amount of money to have a particular standard of living is a story. deciding to have a child is a story. worrying if you will not be able pay your bills and land on the street under a bridge is a story. to deciding to fight for something, a cause for example, or to let it go is a story. how do you know the difference between whether it’s worth investing in a story or not? doesn’t ’emptiness’ also lead to a dangerous position of complacency? what if the story is helping you to take a corrective measure to prevent something dangerous or bad from happening
It’s always worth participating in a story where our contribution to the plot involves complete generosity and openness. This space is the origin of what we might call an appropriate engagement instead of “complacency”, which is usually just avoidance behind a pretty mask.
So, in short, not getting caught by our stories allows us to participate more fully in whatever story might be arising.
Michael, I’ve been listening to all your 20X podcasts and am truly grateful to have found them as they are pointing me in the direction of my intentions. I’m also listening to The Power of Now and A New Earth. With yours and Eckhart’s assistance I’m on the edge and ready to leap into whatever arrises!
Keep up the good work. I recognise the truth in what you are saying. It shines through. Many thanks!
Bows, Alan.