The Destination Game
Onward we move, through the waves and turmoil of the moment, with faith yet intact.
Conversely, I consider being on that same water, without knowing the destination. Being out at sea, without any kind of clarity of where I am going. The skies are getting darker, the wind and waves are picking up, and I don’t even know which direction to point, or for what ultimate destination it is that I travel.
The feeling of this situation, though outwardly exactly the same as the former, is entirely different. Because it is entirely different.
One is filled with an underlying clarity of purpose, and a determination to keep moving towards the goal, slowly and steadily, despite (and especially because of!) the challenge of the moment.
And the other comes with a kind of despair. Surviving the moment only buys time along a path without a destination, without a purpose. Where is there hope?, when I am simply lost in a storm at sea without a direction to trust in.
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For everyone in life, we are confronted with the idea of where we are going. Perhaps we are actively moving towards it. Perhaps we are actually avoiding it. All of us are at least called to ask: What is my direction?
Eventually we begin to realize that for lifetimes, our understanding of our own direction moves through a constant evolution of interests and desires, giving birth to an assortment of habits and attachments - Bondage to a ship at sea, without a Destination.
Often these self-directives begin with a dramatic thunder of survival, fight or flight; we come also to experience the extraordinary earthquakes of sensual motivations and lust; and move through gusts of greed, and stagnant seas of material comfort; then the lightning strikes of intellectual pride and fiery flashes of an expanding ego-self identity, lashing out wildly through forest and field.
For everyone in life, we are confronted with the idea of where we are going. Perhaps we are actively moving towards it. Perhaps we are actually avoiding it. All of us are at least called to ask: What is my direction?
Eventually we begin to realize that for lifetimes, our understanding of our own direction moves through a constant evolution of interests and desires, giving birth to an assortment of habits and attachments - Bondage to a ship at sea, without a Destination.
Often these self-directives begin with a dramatic thunder of survival, fight or flight; we come also to experience the extraordinary earthquakes of sensual motivations and lust; and move through gusts of greed, and stagnant seas of material comfort; then the lightning strikes of intellectual pride and fiery flashes of an expanding ego-self identity, lashing out wildly through forest and field.
Eventually, and gradually, we set sails for higher destinations, like the sunrise of universal service, and stewardship to Mother Earth; the starry night skies of sparkling-infinity, shining above the sea of our humanness; remarkable rainbows of devotional self-offering, in Covenant with the Creator and Creation; the immaculate, white snow of silent blizzards of calmness and truth; and finally, the clear blue sky, of our own ego transcendence and perfect soul freedom - the actual and true Purpose of it all.
These very human climatic conditions all represent our daily destinations in life. That we carefully consider them before boarding the vessel and taking route across the sea, seems obvious enough. And yet, how often we do not do so in the restlessness of daily life. Instead, we find ourselves aboard a ship driven not by any conscious aspiration of attunement with God’s Will and purpose, but born rather of our own desires and attachments, accumulated through lifetimes lived as mere bundles of likes and dislikes.
And yet, whence we’ve begun to see this pattern, we gradually begin to realize: the desire nature of our ego-self is not our true destination. It most often only leads to more trials along the trail.
For our true Destination, we look beyond such limitations of the little self. We look beyond our past failures, or the momentary lapses of down-pulling, self-centered directives - of being a perpetual victim to life, or the constant judge and jury of it.
When we have lived enough of this human experience, we arrive at the deeper need and purpose for our own Life: to realize our Union with God, and to embrace whatever God gives us in order to get there. This understanding and purpose becomes the devotee’s essential compass for navigating the sea of constant change and ego-reactivity of the world.
These very human climatic conditions all represent our daily destinations in life. That we carefully consider them before boarding the vessel and taking route across the sea, seems obvious enough. And yet, how often we do not do so in the restlessness of daily life. Instead, we find ourselves aboard a ship driven not by any conscious aspiration of attunement with God’s Will and purpose, but born rather of our own desires and attachments, accumulated through lifetimes lived as mere bundles of likes and dislikes.
And yet, whence we’ve begun to see this pattern, we gradually begin to realize: the desire nature of our ego-self is not our true destination. It most often only leads to more trials along the trail.
For our true Destination, we look beyond such limitations of the little self. We look beyond our past failures, or the momentary lapses of down-pulling, self-centered directives - of being a perpetual victim to life, or the constant judge and jury of it.
When we have lived enough of this human experience, we arrive at the deeper need and purpose for our own Life: to realize our Union with God, and to embrace whatever God gives us in order to get there. This understanding and purpose becomes the devotee’s essential compass for navigating the sea of constant change and ego-reactivity of the world.
It also teaches us how to surrender to God’s will, and not live desperately clinging to our own little ego's version of events.
For, just as on the ship, when our own lives hit rough waters, this is our chance to learn to hold onto our destination in God with a "bull dog grip". This is where real Mariners are made. Far from being a failure on the Path, the storm itself becomes our sadhana. Can I keep my mind on God, amidst every circumstance? Even this one?
We know that this day, this moment, is just a chapter along the way. That no matter what happens on the outside, my purpose and destination in God remains fully intact. This provides strength, calmness, and ultimately, total surrender to his Will.
By keeping our mind on God and His eternal presence, we navigate life with an expanding sense of grace, and keep ever moving toward the Goal.
So, if you find yourself in the winds and rain, be quiet, and hold onto God; this is His way of getting your attention, and of training you to keep your station ever tuned to the Destination. May we then soon find: Lo, I have arrived.
Victory to God; Victory to the Light. In Your Life lived True.
For, just as on the ship, when our own lives hit rough waters, this is our chance to learn to hold onto our destination in God with a "bull dog grip". This is where real Mariners are made. Far from being a failure on the Path, the storm itself becomes our sadhana. Can I keep my mind on God, amidst every circumstance? Even this one?
We know that this day, this moment, is just a chapter along the way. That no matter what happens on the outside, my purpose and destination in God remains fully intact. This provides strength, calmness, and ultimately, total surrender to his Will.
By keeping our mind on God and His eternal presence, we navigate life with an expanding sense of grace, and keep ever moving toward the Goal.
So, if you find yourself in the winds and rain, be quiet, and hold onto God; this is His way of getting your attention, and of training you to keep your station ever tuned to the Destination. May we then soon find: Lo, I have arrived.
Victory to God; Victory to the Light. In Your Life lived True.
🙏⛵ that image is very helpful. Thanks br z
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