What To Do If You Are Bursting With Inspiration?

Last night in my meditation group, we had some interesting discussions.

A few of us shared some common experiences since we’ve been practising meditation. These experiences include: the world in our eyes is so much different now; what took our interests before just becomes boring; and what was boring before now becomes interesting (such as being with oneself). We’ve noticed the change of attitude, world view, and consciousness in ourselves. However, there appears to be one common problem, which is: we are bursting with ideas and thoughts and become more eloquent on a lot of subjects. While this may not be a problem in itself; however, we find it hard to contain it all to ourselves, and we want to share! Again this may not be a problem in itself. The problem is: when we see other people still talk and act in the same old negative way, we want to help them! Again, this in itself may not be a problem. But in the process when we try to share our own opinions, we often find that this only leads to alienation of ourselves from our friends, colleagues and closed ones. Firstly, they think you are strange. The next minute, you both know that you don’t fit in any more as there is less 'common' languages.

Obviously this is not what one desires to achieve from meditation! As the ultimate goal from meditation is to find peace. By alienating ourselves from others, is certainly not creating peace.

I think this just brings up a very old issue of human being: we are so ego-driven! While we may have the best intention in the world (such as wanting to help); however, often we don’t know what’s the best way to help. In the name of helping, we often become critics because unconsciously we think we are better, wiser, or superior. We think we've embarked on a self-growth journey and have overcome a few obstacles and weaknesses, if shared, others would be enlightened. Still there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is, when wisdom and ego go together, it can become dangerous. It can create resistance on the helpee and frustrations on the helper. Tension can build up and destroy peace. This doesn't just happen to our interaction with people around us. Look at human history, how many wars and terrorisms were launched in the name of God? Although it’s easy to blame God, but the truth is: God never divides the nations, it’s human’s ego!

Everything in nature has its own cycle. when the cycle reaches a certain stage it will naturally initiate a change. Likewise, we all progress our lives in a schedule that suits us, most likely according to our experiences and stages in life. Nobody likes to be imposed on a learning programme when they are not ready. Sometimes the best way to help is to let it be, unless you are in the profession of helping people (say you are a counsellor or a therapist of some sort). In that case, people would come to you for help instead of the other way around!

When we have grown, and find our old friends uninspiring, instead of staying in the same group and feeling unfulfilled, we can start making new friends who are like-minded, so we can have more fulfilled friendships and inspire each other within that group. By staying in the same place and wanting it to change only causes frustration which certainly disturbs the peace.

Now coming back to the problem I mentioned at the beginning: what to do if we are bursting with inspiring thoughts and want to share?

My suggestion is: we can start writing! All of our thoughts can be expressed in writing. We don’t have to share our wonderful and exciting journey with the whole world. We can however share our thoughts privately (such as keeping a diary) or publicly (such as publish articles on line, or publish a book). Like-minded people will find you, one way or another, and share your thoughts and inspirations. From my own experience, the most fulfilling expression is in my writing. It’s a very intimate exercise, and it’s certainly very rewarding. I don’t need to go and look for an imperfect human being and tell him that he needs to improve. I just focus on improving myself. By improving myself, I am sure the world is a better place.