Can't get enough? Meditation for 4/18/14

Meditating in Forsyth Park; Savannah GA

(To see today's photo journal, just click Here.)

"Variety is the spice of life."  - William Cowper

"Everything in moderation."  -  Oscar Wilde

     Many of us struggle with compulsive behavior.  One potato chip, one spoon of ice-cream, one alcoholic drink and we are off to the races.  And it doesn't stop with consumption - our current day society glorifies the "win at all cost" mentality.  There are those of us that endlessly pursue romantic conquests, exercise to the point of injury and diet to the point of unhealthiness.

    I am sure that in some cases there is a genetic predisposition to this behavior and I do not pretend to have the answers to this aspect.  But I do know that in every case I have witnessed it stems from looking outside ourselves to find comfort and security.  There are many problems with this approach to discomfort - first the "cures" never last.  And it always takes "more" to reach the same level of comfort that a previous "dose" delivered.  It seems that the more the afflicted thinks about solutions to the problem the worse it gets.  

     Then problems develop on the other end as the afflicted one goes on "diets" where they deny themselves any comfort at all.  They are irritable and angry and ultimately either launch themselves into some new obsession or "relapse" into the old behavior and are worse than ever before.

     The last thing that seems logical is that a spiritual solution would be the answer.  But in most cases this is precisely the case.  The thing that needs corrected is the need to feel whole and complete, because when we do we don't require anything outside ourselves to feel "ok."  The good news is that those few who realize this and start on a path of spiritual growth soon realize that they don't need "anything" to be whole and complete - they need simply to be rid of the fears, false notions and negative programming that has been ingrained over the years.  

      In some cases, such as the alcoholic or drug addict, the substance that was used to seek comfort can never again be safely used as a physical addiction has set in.  But for one who finds the spiritual solution to obsession, most things can be enjoyed in balance and moderation.  As with everything else, denial and struggle don't work for long.  It is only in giving up the fight and resolving our internal conflicts that a permanent solution can present itself.   

Today, may I enjoy life appropriately.  

Happy Friday everyone !!

David

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