The Tao of Results
Those who have learned the Tao of Results—the way of realizing meaningful objectives—often find attainment effortless.
Effortless attainment occurs in the state of flow. Effortlessness is our natural state that unfolds when we remove the barriers to flow.
Desire is a primary barrier. It is the root of all suffering, Buddha said. The energy of desire pulls our attention out of the present. Flow can only be experienced in the present.
Desire implies lack. Abundance implies the absence of lack. We can’t have and lack simultaneously. As like goes to like, lack goes to lack; that is, scarcity tends to breed more scarcity. Therefore, if you desire a result, you may be energizing lack, not the result.
Striving toward results, therefore, isn’t the answer, but neither is complacency. Complacency arises from either apathy or pride. Sad is the soul who lives a complacent life.
What Buddha called the Way is found in the harmony of opposites. The Way is positioned between striving and complacency: One can have clarity of purpose, holding a result clearly in mind, while remaining detached from it.
There is no contradiction here: Identify what you want, but let go of wanting it. Disciplined thoughtful action, or desireless right action, is the Way.
Desire leads to suffering because the energy of desire doesn’t dissipate when the object of desire is attained. The desire simply shifts to a new object or to the fear of losing the object once attained. Those who haven’t achieved their desired results are skeptical of this truth. Many who have achieved their results have found this to be so.
Ultimately, some results you aim for will manifest. Others will not.
Some things that you think you want, you’ll later discover are not in your best interest.
Other things you think you don’t want you’ll later discover are best for you.
Accepting all possibilities brings one closer to wholeness.
Realizing both sides gives way to the Tao.
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