The Addiction to Getting Somewhere
La adicción a llegar a algún lugar
A student describes the intense, stuck feeling that arises when they compulsively try to figure things out during practice, and the teacher points to how simply seeing the pattern releases it.
The Addiction to Getting Somewhere
A student describes the intense, stuck feeling that arises when they compulsively try to figure things out during practice, and the teacher points to how simply seeing the pattern releases it.
Some of us have an approach that involves a lot of intellectual effort or rational effort. Some of us approach it through other ways. But there is this trying to get something, trying to change what is happening.
It is the addiction to getting something. That's what locks me in, and I keep dropping into it without knowing.
The trap of trying to figure it out
What I'm pointing to is that the way forward is by seeing through the nature of what is, noticing what is actually appearing. And that noticing is not through intellectual understanding.
When it appears intensely, it feels like I cannot get out. It feels really stuck. When that addictive figuring-out is happening, it's intense and very uncomfortable. But when it is not there, like right now, it's calm. It doesn't matter. I can just speak. I understand you, but I don't need to try to understand you. I can still respond.
Seeing what was there
Yes, because you're now seeing what was there. You're seeing what was there, and so it's released. Whereas when you're in it, you're trying to figure it out, and it's more of the same: the same pattern you tend to get hooked into. We all have different ways in which we get caught. These are different types of identification.
Absolutely. So to notice the difference: when it's released, it's cool and calm. When it's happening, it's intense.
Yes. And then you can just notice: "Oh, this is what's happening. I am trying to understand from the level of thought." You notice it's all thought, thought, thought, and it doesn't need to change. You could probably have the same thoughts, remember them, and repeat them, and they wouldn't affect you. If you had been able to write those thoughts down in the moment and then read them now, you'd think, "Oh, these were the thoughts that were happening. Not a problem."
Yes.
It's not about the content
It's not about the content. It's not about the thoughts.
No. Thank you.
Thank you.