More On Addiction – Short or Long Path? November 12, 2008
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : Meditations , trackbackEvan has suggested that ‘seeing the goal can maybe give space to contemplate other ways to get there’. Yet, is freedom from addiction an achievement, something to become, somewhere to go? Or is it a way of living?
In other words, if addiction is the means whereby one is stripped of any meaningful relationship to sensitivity, it remains a dangerous proposition and is therefore something to be tenaciously and assiduously avoided. After all, sensitivity blooms only when dullness and repetition evaporate! How can replacement of a habit with a habit accommodate such a process? That’s like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Along the way, no doubt, there will be those who find that addiction cannot be dissolved in an instant; that it is something one learns to manage gradually. This a bit like the enlightenment game. One can either follow the short path or take the long path.
Patanjali says,
‘Take your time. There is no hurry. Once you overcome this, you can then focus your attention on overcoming that. Eventually, you will get there.’
Sosan says,
‘Strike while the iron is hot! Seeing the truth is like witnessing an enormous bolt of lightning in the darkest sky. Now is the time to do it! Don’t muck around! If you see it, that’s it! There is no need to go back.’
Both ways have their virtue of course. Both ways have their time.
What is important is to recognise the relevance of each to one’s personal quest. In doing so, one will also realise the extent to which procrastination has become a justifiable response to the challenge of living – which means that excuses for not responding attentively, sensitively, immediately, spontaneously, have crept in. With excuses come blame. When there is blame, there is the victim.
So I guess I’m a fan of the short path!
Comments»
I’m not sure where you get the idea that I am advocating the replacing of one addiction with another.
I’m not sure that living is an achievement but both addiction and sensitive are doings it seems to me.
I think contemplating a goal is one way to restore sensitivity.
I’m not suggesting that you are advocating replacement of one addiction with another. I’m merely using your comment as a starting point for further discussion…. which of course in this case was the dilemma of taking the short or long path when the truth of the matter dawns!
If I can see that I am dulled by repetition, by habit, do I need to think it over? Can I be free of habit by reducing it bit by bit, or by eliminating it altogether?
Having said that, another point I was trying to make was that sensitivity is an ability to respond to a challenge without the burden of past habits, recollections.
Sure, intellectually, one can design a goal to increase sensitivity. I can think more positively about eliminating my negative and destructive behaviour. This is certainly a step in the right direction.
The problem it would seem however, is that setting a goal to increase sensitivity won’t actually do anything to cultivate sensitivity.
Understanding habit on the other hand, most certainly will. All I need to do is give my complete attention to it.