Photo by: Henk LWhat do we really want in our lives? Properties, romance, a better job, a more toned physique? Maybe on a deeper level...true happiness? (when I speak of happiness, I'm talking about the sum of all its parts including contentment, satisfaction, bliss, joy, optimism, openness, freedom, elation, nirvana, etc.) Either way, it can't be so complicated! There has to be a more efficient way of truly getting what we want in our lives.
While reading about implicit memory, a type of memory in which previous experiences aid in the performance of a task without conscious awareness of these previous experiences (ref: wikipedia.com), I wondered how many reactions, ideas, and intuitive thoughts really are just implicit memories. Your brain registers it as a memory, but since it doesn't go through your conscious awareness, you would learn it without knowing it. For example, perhaps after years and years of seeing very thin, clear-faced models gracing covers and runways in beautiful clothes and make-up, you could "feel" that this was the right way to look to be accepted by others, without really acknowledging it.
This is quite interesting. It makes you reflect back on your life and try and see if it there is a link between specific situations and certain reactions. We've all had "gut-feelings" or instinctual impulses that "feel" right at our core. Could it have been an implicit memory at work? If it's for something that makes your life better and promotes happiness, then all is fine and good. However, if there are certain beliefs that ingrained in your brain that hinder you from becoming the best that you can be, then that's an entirely different story.
The self-narratives or life stories we tell ourselves are extremely important in deciding what we can or can't do, because it's what we believe we can or can't do. These beliefs might be attributed to implicit memory. Let's say you grew up with a family member that was cynical and always told you how tough life is, you might feel guilty when you were happy. You might feel that if anything goes well, it's only a matter of time before things begin getting "tough" again.
In Buddhism, a major focus of meditation is reflection on death and our own mortality. It's not to be macabre or to create apathy for life, but to understand that life is fragile and time is limited. It's truly a gift to be conscious. To be part of an entire universe filled with knowledge and possibility. It makes you think less about "me" and more about "we". What could possibly be the point in doing things for yourself, by yourself if you'll just die and be unable take it with you, anyway? It would be nice to know that you've been a part of something that will last much longer than you and will continue to enhance the lives of all who come after. To think about what is possible for one person dwarfs in comparison to what is possible for humanity.
If I died today, how would I feel about it? No doubt about it, I would feel sad for my parents that they would have to go through something so painful, but on a broader level, that there is so much unfinished business. Now, whether I feel that way because there is more to be done or because I know I'm able put more focus into my actions and intentions, requires more reflection to answer accurately. I'm sure it's a little of both.
I want to cut the waiting line to happiness and just get straight to the good part (the honest and healthy way, of course). Logically thinking, I know that I don't need more materialistic things to make me happier. I have everything I need and a lot more (we all do). My life is abundant and so is everyone's I know.
Why not embrace that abundance? We are conscious and we have the entire universe at our disposal. Let's dispose of our insecurities and weaknesses. Consciousness itself knows none of that. We are what we perceive we are. If we can mirror our thinking to the greatness and power of consciousness, we'd genuinely be living the way the universe intends.
"Man lives consciously for himself, but is an unconscious instrument in the attainment of the historic, universal, aims of humanity." - Leo Tolstoy
