I don’t get it.
That’s what I heard the other day when someone was referred to me by a close friend.
We were talking about The Work, coaching, goals and why his friend might have referred him to me.
As I spoke to this man, who reported he was happy in his career, his life as a single dad, and the status of his relationship with his previous wife….
….he eventually shared with me that he felt unrest.
Like a general malaise, a thought “is this all there is?” about life in general.
He felt bored.
He asked me what The Work entailed, never having heard of it before, ever.
I said that it was about questioning your thoughts that bring about anxiety, confusion, rage, sadness, despair…
….and boredom.
Then I asked him if he’d like to do The Work on his idea that life is boring for him, just a short overview, to take a look.
When I asked him who he would be without the belief that life is dull, bland, boring, discouraging….
….he said “I don’t get it.”
I shared a little more….”You imagine who you might be if you couldn’t even be thinking that thought that you’re bored, looking around at life, your environment, your world.”
He said it didn’t really make sense. That it was nice to imagine, but that’s not reality.
He said he was very grateful for the call.
But later, after hanging up, I was like “Phew, he has a long way to go.” I wonder if I’ll ever talk to him again.
And then The Work bubbling up immediately.
Is that really true?
Think about someone you think has a long road ahead, a big gap to bridge, someone who is confused, someone who doesn’t get it who you kinda wished DID get it.
How do you react when you believe they need to get something, including The Work?
Whether slight concern or really frustrated, it’s stressful.
But who would you be without the belief that the person in mind should get it, or even needs to? Without the thought in your head that they should be different, or understand what you’re saying, or grasp ANYTHING more than they do?
“You see persons and things not as they are but as you are.” ~ Anthony De Mello
In that moment of thought as it passes, where I think someone should get something, who is the one who doesn’t get it?
Maybe, that would be me!
“Enlightenment can be measured by how compassionately and wisely you interact with others–with all others, not just those who support you in the way that you want. How you interact with those who do not support you shows how enlightened you really are.” ~ Adyashanti
Thank you, person who didn’t get The Work in that moment.
Thank you everyone who doesn’t get whatever they don’t get, giving me time to practice and feel the joy of being compassionate with others, no matter what.
And thank you to myself for not getting anything, until I did. I trust the universe to handle what I get, when I get it…
…its a lot lighter that way.
Much love, Grace