A message chat recently revealed a great metaphor for the fact that, if you want to benefit from the results of a nondual self inquiry, it takes commitment. You have to want to go to the gym — not just read about fitness.
In a recent message exchange with another coach who’d read “The Complete Book of Awakening”, he reflected that:
“I loved the book when I started. But I couldn’t keep up with the exercises. I didn’t get far into it because it wasn’t something we can just read. It was something you actually had to do.”
I get it! I replied:
“A bit like me only doing yoga if I’m going to class!”
“Yes! Great metaphor. It’s like me wanting to read a book about fitness rather than going to the gym 😂”
This really made sense. It does look to me like it takes commitment to read this book. You have to really want it. That light inside of you has to have switched on to make the knowing of your essential nature THE highest priority.
Like somebody said to me this week:
“This is it. This is the only pursuit I’m interested in.”
That was certainly my experience.
And of course — like when you go to the gym:
- You benefit from the days off, as much as from the days exercising.
- There are days when you think it’s all pointless and it’s not making a difference. Or not fast enough.
- There are times when you want to have a rest and go on holiday, where there’s an unlimited buffet and limited exercise options.
But deep inside, and including all of the ups and downs, all of the comings and goings, the direction of travel is towards the truth. You literally can’t stop it. You can’t keep it down.
You want to know.
And we love that there’s a direct way of knowing.
Has it been like this for you?
What has supported you to keep ‘going to the gym’ with self inquiry?
Are you like me and my yoga? Do you need a class to keep your practice up? The Self Study Course for The Complete Book of Awakening is the perfect way to pace yourself each week.
With peace, love and joy; Helen
