1 min reading: Killing our dreams
The first symptom of the process of our killing our dreams is the lack of time. The busiest people I have known in my life always have time enough to do everything. Those who do nothing are always tired and pay no attention to the little amount of work they are required to do. They complain constantly that the day is too short. The truth is, they are afraid to fight the Good Fight.
The second symptom of the death of our dreams lies in our certainties. Because we don’t want to see life as a grand adventure, we begin to think of ourselves as wise and fair and correct in asking so little of life. We look beyond the walls of our day-to-day existence, and we hear the sound of lances breaking, we smell the dust and the sweat, and we see the great defeats and the fire in the eyes of the warriors. But we never see the delight, the immense delight in the hearts of those who are engaged in the battle. For them, neither victory nor defeat is important; what’s important is only that they are fighting the Good Fight.
And, finally, the third symptom of the passing of our dreams is peace. Life becomes a Sunday afternoon; we ask for nothing grand, and we cease to demand anything more than we are willing to give. In that state, we think of ourselves as being mature; we put aside the fantasies of our youth, and we seek personal and professional achievement. We are surprised when people our age say that they still want this or that out of life. But really, deep in our hearts, we know that what has happened is that we have renounced the battle for our dreams – we have refused to fight the Good Fight.
When we renounce our dreams and find peace, we go through a short period of tranquility. But the dead dreams begin to rot within us and to infect our entire being.
We become cruel to those around us, and then we begin to direct this cruelty against ourselves. That’s when illnesses and psychoses arise. What we sought to avoid in combat – disappointment and defeat – come upon us because of our cowardice.
And one day, the dead, spoiled dreams make it difficult to breathe, and we actually seek death. It’s death that frees us from our certainties, from our work, and from that terrible peace of our Sunday afternoons
Words from Petrus to me during The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
so true…
This guy Coelho looks like a #1 pseudo slacker who’s been to one-too-many rave parties. As most people, he is only reflecting his views as applicable to his state of existence. So for some good humour (of course, you can disagree), here’s the same post with some word replacements from the collective to the person:
The first symptom of the process of me killing my dreams is the lack of time. The busiest people I have known in my life always have time enough to do everything. Those who do nothing are always tired and pay no attention to the little amount of work they are required to do. They complain constantly that the day is too short. The truth is, they are afraid to fight the Good Fight.
The second symptom of the death of my dreams lies in my certainties. Because I don’t want to see life as a grand adventure, I begin to think of myself as wise and fair and correct in asking so little of life. I look beyond the walls of my day-to-day existence, and I hear the sound of lances breaking, I smell the dust and the sweat, and I see the great defeats and the fire in the eyes of the warriors. But I never see the delight, the immense delight in the hearts of those who are engaged in the battle. For them, neither victory nor defeat is important; what’s important is only that they are fighting the Good Fight.
And, finally, the third symptom of the passing of my dreams is peace. Life becomes a Sunday afternoon; I ask for nothing grand, and I cease to demand anything more than I am willing to give. In that state, I think of myself as being mature; I put aside the fantasies of my youth, and I seek personal and professional achievement. I am surprised when people my age say that they still want this or that out of life. But really, deep in my hearts, I know that what has happened is that I have renounced the battle for my dreams – I have refused to fight the Good Fight.
When I renounce my dreams and find peace, I go through a short period of tranquility. But the dead dreams begin to rot within me and to infect my entire being.
I become cruel to those around me, and then I begin to direct this cruelty against myself. That’s when illnesses and psychoses arise. What I sought to avoid in combat – disappointment and defeat – come upon me because of my cowardice.
And one day, the dead, spoiled dreams make it difficult to breathe, and I actually seek death. It’s death that frees me from my certainties, from my work, and from that terrible peace of my Sunday afternoons
Fight the Good Fight??
Sounds grand, but is really a shallow utterance coming from some confused, mid-level poetic monkey. You need to develop an acute sense of when objects from the Maya try to enforce your ego in such “charming” poetic ways..people like these enforce your ego by telling you to dream this and that..the word “dream” is being used here as a subtle replacement for “desire”. So this guy wants you to desire more, and if you don’t get your desires, you are not “fighting the good fight”??
The key to peace is acceptance of what the Universe has desired for you, and not what you have desired for the Universe. Now, THAT is fighting the good fight!!
There are very few people who have tapped into their inner wisdom enough to fight the good fight and it doesn’t come without them having reached a measurable amount of peace.
Without spending time in the inner process we just end up fighting ourselves and the people around us.
I slightly differ from Brahmastra’s views. We alwasys say that everyone has to pass from the four state ‘Baddha’,’Mumukshu’,’Sadhak’ and finally ‘Siddha’.
I think above blog is one of the confession the person who is ‘Baddha’ (not Buddha) perfrmed ..the ray of hope is such confessions only..
I already in one of the comment in some earlier blog has said that everybody is ‘Baddha’ whether he/she accepts or not does not matter.
Now your below statement
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“Sounds grand, but is really a shallow utterance coming from some confused, mid-level poetic monkey”
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true..Very true..How baddha (not buddha, baddha means one who is floating between birth and death and do not know his birth and death are the real cause for his/her floating) is different than described in your statement..Many others either they imagine them selves as Mumkshu or Sadhak or Siddha within the existence of “Maya’..and you will agree that every exeperience in ‘Maya’ is not correct..this imagination of ‘now I have passed baddha and mumukshu and now I am sadhak or siddha’ is within Maya and this will give rise to ‘increase in ego’ because of Maya only..
In the above imagination the person will behave something similar to a person who has given a promotion in some organisation and now he/she is thinking that he/she has become the entire section owner or company owner and further if he/she argues with the company owner the company owner is going to show him/her his/her place..so is the maya doing..when the person fails others laughs in both the cases.
here I have equated company owner and maya because like maya is illusive, true and can not live without the existence of her real cause, when the cause disappears maya is no more..
a company owner also illusively, true and runs the company for some cause..every company owner alwasys worries 24×7 for hs/her company and also for hisf/her life..
your last statement
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The key to peace is acceptance of what the Universe has desired for you, and not what you have desired for the Universe. Now, THAT is fighting the good fight!!
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You have informed the destination (to adopt the acceptance, i.e. increase Dharana..Dharana Shakti which comes after Dhyana)..The path of Samadhi is still ahead and ‘the state of Sahaj Samadhi’ is still ahead..so the fight will be still their..
This is what I think..please correct me if I am wrong some where..
thanks..subodh
shekhar sir zindabaad..
yes sir indeed it is i read from twitter before and agree to it completely
Subodh,
You are blabbering like a parrot..do you understand even 10% of the jargon you are spilling out? You need to unlearn all that rubbish..until you reach a level of simplicity and clarity from where you can identify friends from foes, reality from illusion. This blog is a mecca for pseudo-intellectuals and insecure convent-educated wannabes who are more impressed by names like Paolo Coelho than they are by Ramakrishna Paramhansa or Nisargadatta Maharaj..its fun to poke in every now and then
Brahmastra,
Thanks. I agree with your each and every word written about me and others..I have accepted your views..
yes, acceptance is the Key..
Subodh
Hello Brahmastra,
I have read your views once again and let me clear once again that whole heartedly I accepted that I am not a master but an optimist..
I comepletely believe in our vedic culture and all our ancient philosophers too.If they are really good then one day every one will really read them..
It is absolutely true..that at present environment is not controlled and everyone is becoming resetless, so they will start reffering to some one or the other..in that if they are fascinated towards Burtrand Russell, they will definately read ‘Chavark’ too and then only they will read ‘Buddha’, Adya Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna, Kabeer etc..
Thanks once again..Subodh
very true. those who disagree with these post, disagree with everything in life. don’t have any your point of view. just look for words & references to disagree with everything. the more u disagree u think the more intelligent u are
Subodh,
You are on the right path my friend, and the right perspective. Just remember that you will have to unlearn everything once it has been digested. So learn only if it is absolutely necessary. Here’s something for you that is so easily available but only the lucky few will ever get a chance to see..what an irony:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWwe8HzUJu8
Btw, that is H. W. L. Poonja (1910-1997), who was another living buddha, a direct disciple of Sri Ramana. In the video, he gives a glimpse of the real self to the woman, and i assume she is just overwhelmed by the simplicity and the bliss of it all.
India has been home to many many fully enlightened beings since the beginning of time. Only a few have achieved celebrity status in the world. But that’s just by design.
Thanks for the clip..,
‘Do not think..do not sturr..its a movement..very true…great..
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India has been home to many many fully enlightened beings since the beginning of time. Only a few have achieved celebrity status in the world. But that’s just by design.
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Fully agree with you..I could have darshanam of Raman Mahasrshi only through a book that too very late..
thanks..subodh
Shekharji,
Intelligence must graduate to WISDOM which leads to contentment and fulfillment. That is the advanced stage for the soul. But in your blogs there appear to be only circles of intelligent talk but no moving and graduating to the NEXT level…..!!!! Why?
Hi,
sorry for the typo..
I mean..I had darshanam of Raman Mahasrshi only through a book that too very late..
Subodh
Thnaks Siyali,
Brahamastra’s both latest comment undoubtly talk about next level.
Till today almost all were talking/telling/writing about not to think..but why not think is informed in the clip I suppose..
Subodh!
Thanks Subodh. A person who is a tortured soul will not be taken seriously by others….he has to find fulfillment first then preach. Hope you are reading this Shekharji.
Thankyou again for bringing such a beautiful concept………
Believe i am fighting daily with my dreams by going against them, living so called peacful life everything is perfect (boyfriend, hefty salaried job, house) except my heart is not fully happy, but now i know i am actually trying to kill them because of cowardness in me.
I hope this helps me, atleast will try to make this ‘Moment as Truth’.
God Bless.
Has anybody read Gita – Try reading Gita by Swami Vivekananda.. it will help develop the ” Daily development process of creating that ‘Santulan” balance that is required to be creative & ambitious. You don’t kill on to get another. It is like sleeping where you mind compartmentalize everything when you are in deep sleep and then you are fresh in the morning. It is that state of unconsciousness that we need to believe in. That video is simply one way of doing it.
Constant learning is one way..
Constant reflecting and resolving leads from it.
Constant struggle is nothing but Resistance of life. How can you fly without air…
wow! can’t believe some jerkwad takes the whole discussion in a wrong way and start calling names. Brahmastra (or whatever your name is) Key piece of this article is not about getting peace. Its about achievement. Desire or dreams whatever you call it, is part of life. This article is not about accepting its about working for it. Its not about fruits of karma, its about karma itself. So sad that you listen to all these great indian philosophers but not understand them well. Its not about one’s spiritual journey its about satisfaction of one’s life, sense of achievement.
Your statement about living budhdha reminds me of a book I read years ago, It read something like
“There are plenty of Gautam around but there is only one Gautam Budhdha”. Even Budhdha and Ramkrishna Paramhamsa as you mentioned these two had a “desire, dream” to find god and worked for it and achieved it.
Accepting what Universe has desired for you and not what you have desired for universe? Imagine This thought in budhdha’s mind “I got my enlightenment this is what universe has desired for me”. Imagine what if Gandhi thought “All is well in south africa now”. Imagine Krishna would have thought “Pandava’s got what universe had desired for them”. There is always someone that changes the universe every second depending how you define universe.
Sorry man I can go on and on…….. Adios….
Is this not what KarmaYoga is all about ? It beautifuly explains why people give up the ‘dream’? Constantly thinking about the result comes in the way of performance of the work.
Udayan Patel,
Your mind is not yet ready to understand what i have said. It is not about complacency, but rather about surrender and witnessing. When your tiny monkey mind interferes by bringing in your selfish dreams and desires, it creates more friction for your existence to unfold itself at a universal level. So you are mistaking this for passivity. You are still a low-level pseudo-intellectual buying into this fluffy crap..it will take some time for your upgrade process to ground you in true wisdom.
Sustaining the dream needs effort. Effort needs to lean on the vehicle of pep-talks and motivational pitches to keep going. While in reality each one of us yearns the effortless and spontaneous being.
Dreams and desires are an infantile reflection of the self seeking nature of ours. You need to grow tired of these temporary fixes to go beyond and question this urge to Self-recognise. In its own way every moment is an opportunity to go beyond this limited sense of existence. The mind of desire may appear to win this battle forever, but that’s only until the relative is transcended.
Brahmastra
What, complex theory of karma came at you pretty hard? I am not exactly sure what do you mean by selfish dreams. Every living creature is hanging on a thread called “Hope” which to me is a dream. surrender and witness comes after you have exhausted all your efforts which what this article is all about. Besides, The way I have understood my religion, Every human being is suppose to go through four parts of life which we hindu call ashram Bal ashram, BrhamcharyAshram, GrihasthAshram and VanprashtAshram. Where every human being has to go through maya and triumph, they have to reproduce, they have to raise kids and make sure they are on their own before moving on to spirituality and surrendering of self.
When author says “But we never see the delight, the immense delight in the hearts of those who are engaged in the battle.”
What he means is “sense of achievement” due to the fact that they put their best out and kept going until they can’t anymore.
When author says : “For them, neither victory nor defeat is important”
What author means is “These warriors are focused on one thing, my job is to fight and do my best” Isn’t that karma is all about? isn’t t hat exactly the Krishna said to Arjun? “Your job is to fight not to think why or what the repercussions are”. Result is something that you have no control over which is where your theory of surrender and witnessing fits. In modern world its called “Reasoning”. or more easier words “let it go”. But one can only reason or let it go when he/she knows in his/her heart s/he put out the best.
Now as for pseudo-intellectual comments goes, Here is what I think.
1. From all of your comments so far it seems to me that you just can’t seem to grasp what is being said. Which leads me to believe either you are a kid or you are someone who desperately wants to be heard. In either case you are not helping yourself. You need to work on your cognitive skills.
2. Profanity and belittling others are not particularly healthy for a good discussion. Specially when you mix spirituality or philosophy with profanity or belittling.
3. One Tiny mind of a monkey called Hanuman did lot of great stuff as far as I know basic beliefs of my hindu culture so no problem I will be glad to have a monkey mind.
Why we renounce battle for our dreams? It is not that we refused to fight. It is contentment that makes us to stop dreaming. Contentment does not mean killing our dream. It is in other words being happy the way we are…sponteniety. Goutam Budha denouncing materialistic life and choosing to become sanyasi did not mean he was coward and hence refused to fight. He found his realistic dream elsewhere. When some one is happy and content, all talk of dead dreams begining to rot and infect our entire being is hollow, exaggarated and display perverted mind set.
Now Deepak R is a rare wise one indeed.
Udayan Patel, in the end, the individual has to go. The doer has to vanish. All that theory of ashramas and stuff is not set in stone these days because reincarnation can (and does) often times throw those patterns out of order..so you may have someone who is born as a sanyasi or a ripe soul. And, your Krishna narrative is absolutely fine but i don’t think that is the way Paulo meant it. Krishna suggests the absence of individual desires aka mind, while Paolo suggests the opposite. Paolo suggests the thriving of ego/mind by keeping the dreams alive. Maybe Paolo is himself in a midst of an ego dissolution, and does not have the appropriate wisdom.
Very Very good post!!!
is being derogatory and condescending to make one’s point the hallmark of being a non-pseudo intellectual?
Hi Kavitha,
I assume that your comment has reference with some of the comments on this blog.
Everybody is free to interpret in his/her own way..in such chain of thoughts some body calling some one pseudo-intellectual is pefectly rational. The reason being ‘Maya’
thanks and take care..subodh
Are you so busy filming, cant post a one liner………?.:-)
Trupti, here’s a one liner:
Aati kya khandalaa?
it opened my eyes!
@all:i don’t know what’s wrong in following ur desire.even desire of enlightenment is a desire.and why this stress on following only indian gurus.what’s wrong with paulo.
And paulo is clear and plain in explaining very complex so called theories.and guys there is nothing like a level of spirituality.
@brhamastra:u r talking like a preacher,u have listen some of these thoughts from so called gurus.by the way budhha said appa deepo bhava,so need no guru to fight a good fight.
whatever paulo said is perfectly perfect
I seldom comment, however i did a few searching and wound up here Killing your Dreams, reproduced from Paulo Coelho&. And I do have 2 questions for you if it’s allright. Could it be just me or does it seem like some of these comments appear as if they are coming from brain dead people? 😛 And, if you are writing at other online sites, I would like to follow anything new you have to post. Could you make a list of all of all your public sites like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?