If you know me, or have seen my YouTube Channel, you are probably aware that my life is very quest-based. Over the years I’ve had repeated questions asking how I achieve these on top of my other day-to-day duties. Not only are these goals often ambitious, but they are also usually undertaken by someone living a renunciate life. The following is my musing on what naturally happens with me so that perhaps others with ambitious ascetic or character development goals may be inspired.
Setting the Goal & Planning the Route
So let’s start at the beginning. When I first set my heart on something to master, a skill or some aspect of self-improvement, there is a shift in my mind and a process that begins. Before I even put a training routine in place, I find myself naturally musing on the goal. My mind will often rest on it, exploring it from slightly different angles and the various aspects of what may be involved in order to achieve the aim. This continues until I feel that I have fully grasped the goal in its entirety and have a clear picture of what it will look like when the goal is achieved. This can sometimes be days, but is often a build-up over many months. I explore and re-explore the aim, my motives and possible ways to achieve it and how to overcome hurdles. As time passes, the picture in my mind becomes clearer and closer to myself. In down times or before going to bed I visualise the outcome with joy and ambition.
It’s like a rising temperature or increasing light. From the very moment I am assigned the goal or given the mission, my passion for this undertaking starts to increase and the momentum builds.
I make sure that in this planning stage I have space, or indeed make space if not, in my life for what I seek to do. I also actively recruit those close to me (Kitty/Atma/Seshen) to explain the mission so they understand what is about to happen and can assist, advise and encourage.
Adding Fuel & Stoking the Furnace
Not only does my passion grow, but also my interest. I find myself increasingly fascinated by the goal and interested in everything related to it. I look for inspiration in how people have succeeded and try to understand why others fail. I explore what the different methods are, as well as what the history of the undertaking is. Has it always been the same? If it’s changed, why and how? I buy books, watch videos, talk to people. Anything to help me have the greatest circumspection of the task ahead.
I find myself seeking out people who have mastered the goal, or an aspect of it, and wanting to be near them. I also find that if I keep my mind focused on it I naturally find people in my path who are able to give me a new insight or help with the next step.
Now, I am sure upon reading this you are starting to contemplate what the difference may be in being able to hold on to an ambitious goal and obsession? I think the line is a bit close, but in truth I am quite sure that there are some goals that cannot be achieved without completely focused congruence. Some tasks require a wholehearted, unconflicted, unified effort.
Removing all Obstructions/Distractions
I think that the most common obstruction, and most likely to bring about failure, is a fear of failing. This worry can seep in and cause micro-faults in our resolve. So first I’d like to take away that fear by saying – you will fail. With any ambitious goal there will be moments of failure, that’s what makes the success worthwhile. The difference, I believe, is how you view that moment. If it is viewed as a step on the journey, rather than the end, then it makes the final triumph even greater.
Furthermore, the frustration and upset that failure can induce is part of that congruence I spoke about earlier. The truth is that we all have a cautious side, an inner voice that says ‘What if’ – this can bring it on board. A positive aspect of the ‘I’ll show them’ we can all harness when we’ve been kicked down too many times. This may seem a bit strange, but for me I need to get a bit frustrated, a bit disappointed with myself in order to recruit my full energy. It’s hard to explain, but there are places I can access that cannot be opened up with optimism and good intentions alone. I need every part of myself to unite in the goal.
One great aspect of this is a clearing of the mind to bring the goal into clear focus. Each time I feel myself begin to fail, something very interesting happens. First and foremost, I ruthlessly get rid of anything that stands in the way of the goal. Actions that prove to be obviously contradictory become frustrations and have to go.
But that’s not all…
If progress stalls, my mind gradually starts to shut down interest in other unrelated things. As this happens, the drive and dedication grows stronger, and I become increasingly focused, withdrawing energy from superfluous activities. It starts with anything that is specifically undertaken for a sense of entertainment or enjoyment only. Increasingly, the only fulfilment I am seeking is that which comes from progress towards the goal. This can be a bit of a testing time as how I view life becomes very simple, increasingly everything falls into one of two categories: there are things I need to do, and things I do towards the goal. Nothing in between. Often I reach my goal before this becomes extreme, but there are points when my life as has been very reductionist indeed.
It is important to note that I would never neglect my duties or those around me. This for me is very important as it is the distinction between dedication and obsession. Your work, relationships and a balanced lifestyle are valuable, stabilising influences that should aid in steering and propelling you to your goal.
It is with this approach I have found success in all my Hermetic and ascetic undertakings.