When we are children we instinctively know how to wish with our whole body, heart and soul. As adults, we use more sophisticated terms for the word “wish”. We talk about aspiration, following our passion, priorities, aim. Around this time of year we speak about New Year’s resolutions.
A question that comes up often from my students is “How do I do this thing that I want to do? How do I make sure that I do this practice? How do I make this change in my life or attain this desire?” The reason it becomes a question at all is because we look in our analytical mind, our intellectual center for the answers that reside in the gut, in the area of will. Wishing is directing the will toward a particular aim. We can learn to wish consciously. Conscious wishing is a practice. It is the practice of clearly understanding and pursuing an aim.
How do we become more courageous, how do we make our relationships more harmonious, how do we achieve excellence in our pursuits?
We need to utilize that elemental quality that resides in the pit of our stomach and consiously and deeply wish. In short, I am saying we need to wish for something consciously and strongly when we want it. This is true in very small, simple things like getting up in the morning to sit and in the profound issues of our lives. There is no tricky, analytical method to circumvent the development of will. It is done by wishing, by willing it so.
In the end, I believe that wishes are trails and it is enough to cultivate our spirit and walk these trails. This is the path of a true warrior and the trail is called “the way”.
photo credit: Alex E. Proimos
I oftenly experience that, when I don´t succeed in following my wishes or plans, it´s mostly because I don´t really wish it, it´s not really my own will. I may believe in what others told me to be a good aim or feel an obligation for some reason. The moment I really want something a lot of hindrances just vanish or aren´t that high anymore. There seem to be much more ways and opportunities, if not I do create them; I have a lot more power out of my guts. That doesn´t mean that I reach every goal I really want, but failing then is different. I know, that I did everything I could do at this moment and it´s kind of o.k. then to not win.
This really is it. To not try to embody the wishes of others but have the courage to wish, try, and be for myself.
So it’s about making a decision about what we really wish and then walk the walk? That’s the most beautiful thing I’ver ever heard.
Thank you for this comment Anette. I think it is right to the point,
I am so glad you feel that way. Yes walking the walk – a great way to live I think.
I seem to bump up against this lately. Wishing to be more disciplined in many ways but not doing it, not the real gut push. Like Annette, when I have this, there is no stopping me. I wonder how to make a wish go to the guts?
A good question Elena – but one, if you look inside, you already know the answer to.
Beautiful.
Thank you so much Amy.
I wish that we are free from suffering and the root of suffering.
Hi Jenny – thanks, how are you? Glad to hear from you. Yes that wish is the
Buddhist vow. Its easy to say it, its easy to say it and not really mean it. Then there are those rare people who want to walk the walk – maybe you are one of them?