Monday, September 9, 2013

Appearance vs. Essence

I was complaining to a friend back home how I don't like the political aspects of my work place, how I don't like the superficiality I experience everywhere. He reminds me that in the current world, everyone focuses on the appearance of things rather than the essence. If I can distinguish what is for appearance only and what is the essence of a person, an event, or an issue, I would be less frustrated with the world.

My friend is totally right. I have been placing my focus on the wrong aspects in life. Even though I am deeply frustrated that yoga has become this trendy, overly-marketed, money-grabbing overly-hyped activity meant for bendy, skinny, pretty girls, the essence of yoga-teaching is good. Even though like any job, my work involves some politics, some back-stabbing, some ass-kissing, tons of compromises, focus on the wrong stuff (getting grants and networking with "important" people), the essence of the nature of my work is good. I am trying to understand how living things operate. This understanding could help us combat diseases, or just understand ourselves better. It is a lot more meaningful than being, say, a stock broker (at least to me). I should look past the marketing, hype, and frustrations, and focus on the good.

Thanks to my friend's reminder, I will be looking for the essence of events and issues for awhile. It takes practice since my habit it to focus on the bad (the appearance). I am grateful to have such wise friends who can guide me during frustrating times.

2 comments:

  1. At the same time, some of those insights about the rot in yoga today are vital to doing things well. " I am trying to understand how living things operate. This understanding could help us combat diseases, or just understand ourselves better." Doing this well.

    It's the attachment, obsessiveness even around the negative issues that's the hindrance. I say that from personal experience lol!

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    1. Hi Nathan, you are absolutely correct. I have a tendency to be obsessed about the negativities around all issues. I guess I subconsciously do this to counter the over-abundance of superficiality that surrounds everything. The "just be positive" messages rub me the wrong way, so I should focus on the "essence" of things instead, as much as I can.

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