In a magazine cartoon, a child asks, “Are we there yet?” The mother in a caravan with her camel piled high, turns to her child and replies, “For crying out loud, we are nomads.” On the spiritual healing journey, we are like nomads, no destination, no place to land, just being with what ever happens along the way on the journey of life. And like the proverbial child in the back seat, many of us are irritable with the loss of security of “home” and keep wondering when are we ever going to get “there.”
In the East, “there,” has been defined as nirvana, where we are established in a state of joyous peace and happiness. In other words a final goal on the spiritual path to freedom. I firmly believe that this teaching can be misinterpreted by those who are already inclined to abuse themselves for not being good enough. For those with a penchant for perfectionism, this is the ultimate, and all else fails in comparison.
A seeker who keeps her focus on a destination of nirvana is doomed to feel that she needs to try harder, and the harder she tries, the more effort put forth, the further away she walks from the goal which is always present in every moment. This is the paradox of the spiritual journey. It is not a journey of finding what you haven’t got but of remembering and discovering what is already there.
Everything we do in life is geared towards this searching for nirvana, whether we are consciously aware of it or not. At the core of all of our desires and aspirations is the need to feel joy and peace. In modern society we have created endless convoluted ways to get to that goal and like the conscious spiritual seeker we can become ever further removed from the goal because we think it is out there somewhere and if we try hard enough, we will attain that joy and peace.
When we come to know that the peace and joy we are seeking is inherent in this very moment, we will be content. We begin to accept that pain is evident in the very nature of reality, caused by the ever changing phenomena of physicality. We cease to create sorrow for ourselves and others by letting go of greed, hatred and delusion. We choose to let go of suffering and are released from the hold of its power over us. Then there is no effort to attain anything, but instead a letting go into what is. This moment to moment letting go, every time we choose peace and joy over suffering, is the path and the destination. In these ordinary moments of awareness, resting in the compassionate embrace of loving-kindness in the heart, is the goal of the spiritual healing journey, the true nirvana. The sage Shunryu Suzuki says, “When you realize the fact that everything changes and find your composure in it, there you find yourself in nirvana.”
Even if nirvana is a transcendent realm, the goal of all earnest seekers, we can still enjoy everyday nirvana right here and now by mindfulness of our attitude to ourselves and others, letting go of suffering and the causes of suffering. With each experience of letting go into the challenges and disappointments that come with the journey of life, we are uncovering the bliss of nirvana that rests deep within the heart. Nirvana is available to us in this moment. Why not stop trying to get there and be here now. Then we won’t be annoying ourselves or our spiritual brothers and sisters with the question, “Are we there yet?”
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I find it confusing why we search for such an ideal state and deny what is at the moment. I come to think that life is not about finding peace and happiness but rather the experience of it. If we could only stop our resistance to what is and accept the experience of the moment, then a revelation will come upon us.
Hello Walter,
I like how you say this, “If we could only stop our resistance to what is and accept the experience of the moment, then a revelation will come upon us.” This is the essence of the work we do on the spiritual journey, the formula for freedom from suffering. It is a moment to moment mindfulness.
Thanks for stopping by.
Namaste!
Hi Miruh,
Another way of looking at it is to say, “I am here, how can enhance my beautiful experience? How can I enhance the lives of people I love? How can I be happy in the “now?” I don’t have to search for or remember nirvana, I have to remember now. Now is the time.
Great post my friend.
Much peace and joy.
Miruh, I love this post, especially this comment on how teachings of nirvana can become a trap, “For those with a penchant for perfectionism, this is the ultimate, and all else fails in comparison.”
I have come to see how much I fell into this trap myself, and see it mirrored in others at times. It seems this idea of a final destination or nirvana is useful at times, especially at the start of our conscious spiritual search, because it serves the purpose of a light at the end of a tunnel – giving us some momentum and some momentum towards change. But then it is grabbed by the ego and becomes fixed, another idea we measure ourselves endlessly against. Thanks for illuminating this so beautifully, as you always do.
Hello Alexys,
As always your contributions have a way of saying, “yes, this is do-able,” in juxtaposition to these lofty ideals. I love what you said, I am going to post it up where I can remind myself when I need to be here now.
Thanks for your inspiring words my friend!
Deep peace to you!
Hello Lisa,
I agree, “It seems this idea of a final destination or nirvana is useful at times, especially at the start of our conscious spiritual search, because it serves the purpose of a light at the end of a tunnel.”
I like what the sage Nisargadatta Maharaj advised, “Do not take the trouble to acquire or renounce anything.” No effort but the awareness of Awareness, for if there is someone to claim that she has attained nirvana, then the ego is still in charge. We have to eventually let go of all concepts.
Thanks for your engaging input. I appreciate insightful comments from seekers that bring real experience and wisdom to the conversation.
Namaste!
Greetings, Dear Miruh!
What an insight-full post! Yes, we do get wrapped around the axle in our searching, don’t we. I try to remember what Jesus told his followers, “The Kingdom of God is within you now.” I take that to mean, we ARE the peace and joy we are searching for.
Namaste! Linda
“It is not a journey of finding what you haven’t got but of remembering and discovering what is already there.”
I love this post, Miruh! As always, you have a wonderful way with words and explanations. I believe, as well, that remembering and discovering what is already HERE is the way to peace. We are already there.
Hello Linda,
I like this, “…we ARE the peace and joy we are searching for.”
It is so simple when we remember to appreciate who we are and what we have already. When we do not, we spin out of the realm of peace and joy which is at the center.
Thanks for your wise words.
Love and blessings!
Hello Marion,
I appreciate your kind words; when a teaching can be explained simply, it rings true, I feel it in my heart and I know I can be it. As you say,
“We are already there.”
Deep peace to You!
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