Too Many Mind
“A mind too active is no mind at all” – Theodore Roethke
When it’s time to focus on a task, it’s easy to find thoughts go astray – thoughts on how our task is going, what are other people going to think of the results, how this will effect our future work, and so on. The attention further splits our productivity as we unknowingly get pulled outside of our minds.
There was an interesting scene in the movie “The Last Samurai” when the main character is trying to overcome failure during his fencing practice. A boy comes up to him and says in broken English, “(You have) too many mind.” “Mind is (your) sword, mind (are) the people watching, and mind (is your) enemy.” “(Have) no mind.”
Essentially, the boy is telling the main character to let go of what’s on his mind. It’s almost as if a meditation, but it’s more active than that. Having “no mind” means that one acts without self-conscious restriction and stays within the moment. When we act, we have to act out of integrity and know that whatever the results may yield, everything will be ok, and we’re doing the best we can. Everything that is out of our control cannot be a distraction - it serves no purpose to carry additional worry.
If one conquers the fear of death, then anything can be conquered. People fear the unknown. At the root of every fear and phobia, at some point - is the fear of death. It’s inevitable and seemingly scary because it brings to many - the unknown. However, it’s likely similar to waking up after falling asleep. One never quite feels the moment in which sleep comes, but everyone is familiar with waking up to a new day. One needs to make the necessary preparations in this life to bring security in the next life.
It’s easy to get distracted into fitting in, but it’s more effort than it’s worth. A life lived intentionally never needs to be compared or ranked. It simply is. The life we’ve been given allows for unique idiosyncrasies that eliminate accurate comparing anyways. No one is “better” than another, but there are people who are more diligent with their resources and abilities than others. Those who live life well feel no contempt because we all reap what we sow.
When we pay no mind to the negative, irrational, and annoying behavior of others, we then free ourselves of a world of pain. Our judging and sense of “being right” isn’t going to change anything. Besides, we are just as guilty of messing up as well. If we keep our minds on development, then we can learn from our mistakes, learn how to reach out to others in love, and humbly move forward together.
For further related reading, please check out: I have the Time.
