Peace Is Not a Future Experience

We’re conditioned to believe peace and fulfillment come from future experiences. We begin with conventional searches for objects and relationships, then upgrade to spiritual searches. Ironically, all spiritual traditions teach that fulfillment isn’t a future experience but our very nature. Peace and joy are literally being’s nature. There are two life possibilities: identify with our bundle of thoughts and feelings, or identify as simply being. Like an actor who can identify as himself or his character, our life quality depends on this choice. Our thoughts and feelings happen to us but aren’t who we are. In progressive approaches, stilling the mind is a prerequisite for recognising our true nature. In this approach, mind-quietening is a side effect. You need no improvement, perfection or change. If your mind feels bored while your being feels peaceful, you’re still investing happiness in experience. Keep returning to yourself and the impulse to seek external fulfillment will naturally diminish.