I admit, my last blog post – Cosmic Motion Picture — calls out for amplification, so consider this Cosmic Motion Picture part two.
Easier said than done, you’ve scoffed! How can I possibly detach from my life you have wondered? Believe me when I say that I am quite familiar with the wide range of disparate reactions to the idea that we are just illusory figures playing parts in a massive cosmic illusion.
The philosopher within quietly concurs with the great sage and guru Paramahansa Yogananda who continues to counsel from the far edges of eternity — encouraging us to shift our level of awareness and extolling the benefits to successful detachment — peace . . bliss. The spiritual aspirant within understands that detachment from the ups and downs of daily life and its triumphs and disappointments is the only route to the stillness that is predicate to awakening. And the seeker of truth instinctively knows the veracity of Yogananda’s advice to view the cosmic motion picture as an observer entertained by all the tragedies and comedies.
And yet, admittedly these understandings are thoughts, thoughts which seem to quickly evaporate when one is wounded by others in-sensitivities, bombarded with the demands of others that can’t be easily met, disappointed by failed expectations or even worse, betrayed by disloyalties.
I will admit that I am very much engaged in the Cosmic Motion Picture. My passion for life in all of its complexities makes it very difficult for me to detach or to easily assume the vantage point of the observer. For many years, my attachment to the drama went hand and hand with the seriousness that I viewed life. I could not even watch the news without experiencing some of the pain of those whose tale of suffering spread across the screen. On a personal level, I seemed to lack the ‘Teflon coating’ that could protect me from personal slights, shared sorrows and private torments. Not surprisingly, I longed for peace . . . peace in the outer world and peace in my inner world. Eventually I discovered the road to peace that I currently travel. I came to understand that my yearning for peace ultimately will be satisfied. This realization was the first victory — manifesting it will be the final triumph!
At one point, possibly many, Yogananda implored “Father, give me now and then a few days of respite from my task”, referring to his own role in the Cosmic Motion Picture. I am comforted knowing that even this great saint may also have found the journey to peace, serenity and bliss a long and tiring one. I invoke a similar prayer in exhaustion when the Cosmic Motion Picture exacts too much of a toll; when the price for my passion for life is angst, disappointment or worse anguish.
I am still so invested in the drama that I silently debate whether I will have to give up the joy of life as price for detaching from its upheavals. And yet, I want so much to as Yogananda says “look upon all that happens in life with a pleased interested attitude”. I want so much to experience life devoid of such intense emotion. I want so much to achieve an evenness of temperament and perspective. I want not to lose equanimity when people are just being human and the world remains far from a perfect place to live. I want peace and serenity! I have come to understand that becoming the observer may take me quite some time. I am accepting that this phase of the spiritual journey can be very difficult and like many others who have started down this road I have come to realize there is no turning back.
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