On failure and effectivity · The Consciousness Path

On failure and effectivity

I constantly find application for the lessons of Ending Unnecessary Suffering and those of the Increasing Consciousness Group, especially with respect to getting things done. Case in point: I've recently organized an introduction to consciousness workshop, which could be seen as an abject failure. Only a single person showed up. (Though we had a really good time together.) I could have worried before the workshop whether anyone would come. But I knew it to be pointless (at the point where nothing could be done about it anymore.) And I could have felt bad about it afterwards - but what for? It would be just like rubbing salt into the wound. My mind is helpfully suggesting rather unhelpful courses of action, such as not organising a workshop ever again. What would that achieve?! (Aside of protecting my fragile ego, obviously.) I need to be clear on what I want, and why. The intelligent course of action is to learn from the failure and change my approach so that I will be more successful next time. It is kind of fun to watch what the mind (or rather the "small self") is trying to do, and figuring out what I should actually do instead.

The two key lessons I am applying here is 1) knowing what thoughts only cause unnecessary suffering and not engaging in them; 2) not allowing emotional turmoil and the fears and desires of the self to take control, instead, staying clear on purpose and seeking an intelligent way towards to goal. As Peter wrote: "Breakdowns or negative thoughts and feelings regarding actions toward a committed goal, are not inconsistent with commitment. In fact, they are likely to arise in contrast to the reality of committed action. What is inconsistent with commitment is remaining with these breakdowns — ineffective behavior, despair, resistance, upset, fear, incapacity, etc. — not whether they come up or not. They would not arise without one taking a stand in the first place. Commitment is what moves us through them, rather than have them stop us."

Commitment, clarity, self-extroversion, intelligent action are some of the key principles in play here.

On I plod!

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