MANAGING ADDICTIONS
A Key to the Stairway to Heaven
If it is true—and much evidence so indicates—that we humans all have addictions, IDENTIFYING them and then coming up with a ‘treatment’ plan, are good beginning steps.
The severity and extent of Addiction A compared to Addiction B varies of course. But a clue is to what extent it interferes with your life or, worse case scenario, makes your life unmanageable.
Well “interfere” may be a ‘loaded’ or easily manipulated word, and a phenomenon with built-in possibilities for self-delusion, illusion and additional ‘ions.’
First of all, to ‘admit to’ an addiction is not to admit to a character flaw or lack of self- discipline, no more than thinning hair in older age is connected to some failure of morals.
It’s a part of the ‘game,’ the game of life. It goes with the territory.
Your addictions —or propensities or habits or samskaras (old impressions on the mind), if you prefer—are part of your reality, and your ‘game plan’ best acknowledge them.
Failure to do so may not exactly condemn you to places unwanted, but if there is a “STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN,” reducing the pull of addictions will likely expedite your climb.
Feed your dog to avoid it pulling at your pants legs as you traverse your universe. One hand tied behind your back is not a good place to be. Our lives are not dress rehearsals.
Replacing a good addiction for a bad one may be one approach to try.
You are chronically late: try being chronically early.
Attractions ‘turn you on?’ Don’t look at her! Or look at her feet.
Recognition of a problem, and realizing you can’t fix it on your own, may be a call to action, whereby surrendering self-will to exceptional, external (Divine) guidance may remedy.
Best we understand, however, that free will is not returnable. It doesn’t have an expiration or “Best by…” date. SOONER THE BETTER may be a more apt way of looking at it.
Surrender—Total Surrender—is the pièce de résistance, the mountain peak , the fountain of youth—if that resonates with you.
So, ‘stuck’ with FREE WILL and its companion POWER OF DISCRIMINATION, how best may we avoid (or at least reduce) the Six Crocodiles—anger, greed, lust, pride, envy and attachment—all obstacles to our evolution, serenity, and peace of mind?
Each of us must find his/her path and then either trudge or merrily skip along the yellow—or red or mauve or teal) brick road moment to moment, to get closer to the SOURCE.
Thousands on every continent vouch for the importance and efficacy of twice daily AGNIHOTRA as a truly irreplaceable action for greatly reducing the effort needed for this ultimate journey. BELIEVE WHAT YOU EXPERIENCE.
The nearer we get, just as the fragrance of distant incense increases as we approach its source, we gradually and inexorably KNOW, really know, we’re not only in the right stadium, but center stage awaits. The closer we get, our momentum and Grace carry us HOME. And what a glorious place, as promised, it is.
Indeed, the Kingdom of Heaven is near at hand. And surely we’ll recognize it when we see it, feel it, cherish it.