The Difficult Awakening Journey: Beyond Happiness, Toward Peace
In today's fast-paced world, the pursuit of happiness is often held up as the ultimate goal of life. We're bombarded with messages that tell us we should constantly strive for more, seek pleasure, and chase fleeting moments of joy. However, there's a deeper, more profound journey that some choose to embark upon—a journey of awakening. This journey is not about the pursuit of happiness but the quest for inner peace, and to know the truth of your being, and it's far from easy. In this blog, we'll explore why the awakening journey is so challenging, and is a long way from only sunshine and rainbows, and how it may ultimately lead us to a state of lasting peace.
Unearthing Deep-Rooted Beliefs
The awakening journey begins with self-awareness. It requires us to question our deeply ingrained beliefs, many of which have been instilled in us since childhood. These beliefs shape our perspectives on success, happiness, and the meaning of life. As we delve into our own minds and confront these beliefs, we may face resistance, denial, and discomfort. It's not easy to admit that some of the beliefs we've held dear for so long may be holding us back from true peace.
2. Confronting the Ego
The ego, often referred to as the "false self," plays a significant role in our lives. It's the part of us that craves recognition, validation, and control. On the awakening journey, we must confront our ego and recognize its limitations. This is an arduous process, as the ego resists change and clings to the familiar. Letting go of the ego's grip on our lives can be emotionally taxing and requires a deep level of self-reflection.
3. Dealing with Pain and Suffering
Awakening is not a journey for the faint of heart. It requires us to face our pain and suffering head-on. Rather than running from our past traumas, fears, and regrets, we must embrace them and learn from them. This can be a painful and emotionally draining process, but it's essential for our growth and transformation. It's only by acknowledging our pain that we can ultimately find peace.
4. Embracing Uncertainty
In the pursuit of happiness, many of us seek certainty and control. We want to know what the future holds and avoid any form of discomfort or unpredictability. We try to ‘make things happen’ and control our lives. However, the awakening journey asks us to embrace uncertainty. It challenges us to let go of our need for control and trust in the unfolding of life's journey. This can be incredibly difficult, as it goes against our natural inclination to seek stability and security.
5. The Loneliness of the Journey
The path to awakening can be a lonely one. As we change and grow, we may find that our values and priorities no longer align with those of our friends and family. This can lead to a sense of isolation and disconnect. Additionally alot of supressed emotions may arise and can bring you into all sorts of high and low states, from anger, grief, resentment, sadness, emptiness to being filled with love. Experiencing all these emotions can be hard alone, without a support network. However, it's important to remember that the loneliness is a temporary phase, and as we continue on our journey, we may find a new sense of connection and community with like-minded individuals who are also seeking peace. When one door closes, another one opens. The more awake you become to yourself, the more you will feel, and this is a double sided coin, you may feel love and joy more, but you may also feel the depths of pain deeper than ever before. You will likely get triggered much more than when you were totally unconscious, for a period, as these supressed emotions rise to the surface and it can take some time to learn to navigate and integrate these fragmented parts. It is not an over night job, and requires patience and understanding.
The awakening journey is not for the faint of heart. It's a path that requires courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to face discomfort and uncertainty. This willingness will not necessarily come instantly but can build up over years, one step at a time. Meet yourself with where you are at, not where you think you should be. It will likely push you to the brink of giving up and feeling crazy, on more than one occasion.. It's not about chasing happiness or external success; it's about finding inner peace. Despite its challenges, the rewards of this journey are profound. As we unearth deep-rooted beliefs, confront our ego, deal with pain and suffering, embrace uncertainty, and navigate the loneliness of the journey, we gradually find ourselves moving toward a state of true peace.
Ultimately, the awakening journey teaches us that peace is not the absence of difficulty but the ability to find serenity amid life's challenges. It's a journey that takes time and effort, but the peace it brings is worth every step along the way. So, if you're considering embarking on the path of awakening, remember that it's okay to find it difficult; in fact, that's often a sign that you're on the right track. Embrace the challenges, and you may just discover a deeper, more lasting form of peace than you ever thought possible.