Knowing our way to Freedom From Marauder #9 - March 2012
“There is neither this world nor the world beyond nor happiness for the one who doubts.”
Sometimes we face doubt. It’s a thing that is present in us from birth. Present in the uncertainty of the unknown, not knowing what is good or
bad, fear of becoming physically independent; being separated from our mothers for the first time. In addition to this internal doubt, others start telling you what is and what is not possible according to their life’s knowledge and beliefs.
Then one bright and sunny day you suddenly get this urge, a naive sense of exploration making anything possible with no concept of danger or even knowledge of danger even existing. The canvas on which you paint your experiences and teachings is blank and you want it right now. I’m not talking about getting the latest smart phone at age 10 (yes parents, stop doing that!) or crying for ice cream (a method that seems to be the most effective in the early stages of childhood). I’m talking about the want of being wherever and whoever you want. Wanting to climb every mountain you see or dive as far deep in the water as possible with one breath and find that starfish on the bottom, or wanting to be a garbage man or a taxi driver or a musician.
As time passes, each goal starts to involve more difficulties and obstacles. With every step that moves you closer to your goal(s), using what you have learned and what you know, you begin to revisit the same pure want of exploring in order to stand on top of new tallest mountain; to gain the ultimate knowledge, the ultimate happiness.
On this path doubt keeps paying a visit and the road keeps getting harder to follow. Where is doubt coming from? When you know for certain that your life is following the life you, with determination and hard work, chose? Many times you start doubting your path because of other’s expectations, maybe even what your own expectations used to be.
This whole process might at the same time seem to turn lonely or even selfish, doing what you want as an individual, and sometimes you stare at the stars and ask “Why me!?... and why of all days TODAY!!?”; Well, lets not forget that Fate and Luck enjoy doing their own mischief, maybe to keep things interesting and to test our determination and faith in what we are doing.
Don’t doubt yourself, don’t doubt the people around you that have been placed there. Recognize the importance of their presence as they try to do the same, and even face
the same situations. Know yourself, be certain of what makes you happy; or keep searching for it. Allow for change; initiate change as the world changes in her own eternal ways.
Failure is not welcome but if you haven’t failed you haven’t tried something new. Remember to remember, and remember to forgive, not just yourself but others around you. If you’re doing what you want in life, everything you ever considered to be the way for you to be happy, then you are doing the right thing. Use the power and energy from within, shaped and guided by all that you have learned as well as from those you have met and experienced life with. Listen to and respect the fragility of our life and the short time we have here and reach the top to your own heaven.
“Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline. Arise.”
-Quotations from The Bhagavad-Gita
- Written by Philip Al-Hajj
- Pictures Courtesy of Philip Al-Hajj, Freddie Al-Hajj, Picto Photography
“There is neither this world nor the world beyond nor happiness for the one who doubts.”
Sometimes we face doubt. It’s a thing that is present in us from birth. Present in the uncertainty of the unknown, not knowing what is good or
bad, fear of becoming physically independent; being separated from our mothers for the first time. In addition to this internal doubt, others start telling you what is and what is not possible according to their life’s knowledge and beliefs.Then one bright and sunny day you suddenly get this urge, a naive sense of exploration making anything possible with no concept of danger or even knowledge of danger even existing. The canvas on which you paint your experiences and teachings is blank and you want it right now. I’m not talking about getting the latest smart phone at age 10 (yes parents, stop doing that!) or crying for ice cream (a method that seems to be the most effective in the early stages of childhood). I’m talking about the want of being wherever and whoever you want. Wanting to climb every mountain you see or dive as far deep in the water as possible with one breath and find that starfish on the bottom, or wanting to be a garbage man or a taxi driver or a musician.
As time passes, each goal starts to involve more difficulties and obstacles. With every step that moves you closer to your goal(s), using what you have learned and what you know, you begin to revisit the same pure want of exploring in order to stand on top of new tallest mountain; to gain the ultimate knowledge, the ultimate happiness.On this path doubt keeps paying a visit and the road keeps getting harder to follow. Where is doubt coming from? When you know for certain that your life is following the life you, with determination and hard work, chose? Many times you start doubting your path because of other’s expectations, maybe even what your own expectations used to be.
This whole process might at the same time seem to turn lonely or even selfish, doing what you want as an individual, and sometimes you stare at the stars and ask “Why me!?... and why of all days TODAY!!?”; Well, lets not forget that Fate and Luck enjoy doing their own mischief, maybe to keep things interesting and to test our determination and faith in what we are doing.
Don’t doubt yourself, don’t doubt the people around you that have been placed there. Recognize the importance of their presence as they try to do the same, and even face
the same situations. Know yourself, be certain of what makes you happy; or keep searching for it. Allow for change; initiate change as the world changes in her own eternal ways.Failure is not welcome but if you haven’t failed you haven’t tried something new. Remember to remember, and remember to forgive, not just yourself but others around you. If you’re doing what you want in life, everything you ever considered to be the way for you to be happy, then you are doing the right thing. Use the power and energy from within, shaped and guided by all that you have learned as well as from those you have met and experienced life with. Listen to and respect the fragility of our life and the short time we have here and reach the top to your own heaven.
“Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline. Arise.”
-Quotations from The Bhagavad-Gita
- Written by Philip Al-Hajj
- Pictures Courtesy of Philip Al-Hajj, Freddie Al-Hajj, Picto Photography
