The :Cosmic: Game
Posted: September 5, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Authenticity, biking, blogging, Buddhism, cycling, Cyclocross, freshly pressed, gardening, gratitude, happiness, Identity, marathon, meditation, Mindfulness, motivation, musings, nature, Omaha, Omaha Bicycle Co., passion, perspective, running, self, trail running, writing, yoga, Zen 11 CommentsYesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself-
What are we seeking when we engage in self-reflection along our path to discovering our true authentic self? I asked myself this question during a recent cycling event, one where I had quite a bit of time to think about “things” in life.
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Stumbling upon my path to discovering my authentic self has been riddled by a myriad of close calls, disappointments, pain and yes: Suffering. Years of engaging in destructive behavior seemingly crushed me as a person and still haunt me, even as I proof read this post.
Everywhere I sought help and refuge, I was continually told the way to discover “who we really are” is to simply scrape away all the dreck that has been heaped upon ourselves over the years. Sounds easy enough right?!? If life were only as easy as reading a $5.99 self-help e-book or a top 10 list to discover your true self blog post. The more self-help advice and guidance I marinated in, the more I began to notice how self involved I was becoming. I gradually became concerned only with what affected me or only with that which is useful to, or focused primarily on myself. I started to make every day life “things” that were not about me, about me, and I became blind to world unfolding around me … The more I looked inward, the more I tuned out. I stopped living life.
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Each one of us has a self that is beautiful, flawed and unique. Each one of us are blessed with a complicated set of life experiences that no one else has. Our lives are an accumulation of experiences – both good, bad and the ugly. We are amazing – dynamic creatures, and we are continually a work in progress!
Daily Meditation:
These experiences, however, are the very “things” that the searching to reveal our true authentic in a book or whatever, toss to the side as unimportant or distracting. My path to an authentic self, starts with acknowledging my woeful self-deception, that I am my own worst enemy and bringing my Son along to a few cyclocross races last season helped to shed light on what matters the most to me in life (more on this next week).
I hope each of you reading today have an amazing weekend, take care and be well!
CultFit 
There’s another way to look at this brother: “I have to give it away to keep it”. The problem that you’re grappling with, being self-centered, is age-old. It is by helping others that I can see my own goodness. It is by getting out of myself that I see the miraculous transformation into a productive member of society. This is why sharing cross races with your son brought you joy – you shared your experience, strength and hope with your son.
Great post man. Have a fantastic weekend.
My apologies for the late response, it was one of “those” weeks around here work wise … Honestly, I don’t feel I could add anything to your kind thoughts and comment. Thank you! That’s all I have, and I sincerely mean it.
The temps have dropped and its finally starting to feel like Fall, which means we spent almost all weekend out doors – I hope you guys had a great weekend as well!
Thank you brother, yes we did as well… 124 miles, cut the grass and had a good time in general.
Great post. Have a wonderful weekend!
My favorite time of year has gently arrived and the cooler temps only mean one thing – even more time spent outside having fun 🙂
Oh woe, self deception! I consider my self work to also be a contribution to humanity…but it can’t be everything, because then it’s narcissism 🙂 Balance, everything must be balanced…
Thank you for your comment, truly I thank you … Balance is something I am continually working on 🙂
Years ago, I started reading this book, Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and found it full of brilliant direction.
Your search reminded me of this quote from : the chapter – An Inquiry Into Values:
“The truth knocks on the door and you say, “Go away, I’m looking for the truth,” and so it goes away. Puzzling.”
There was a better quote for your situation but I can’t seem to find it to quote it… sigh…
No worries and thank you for taking a moment to share with me, what I feel to be a really powerful and inspiring quote, and an even more profound book – Thank you 🙂
I’m just getting started here since you stopped by my place but I’m enjoying myself and your philosophy so far. I shall read on.
I sincerely thank you for stopping over to look around. Feel free to kick off your shoes, pour a refreshing drink and hang out for a little while 🙂
May your heart and spirit be filled with happiness – Take care!