Not Minding What Happens
by Eckhart Tolle
[Listen to Audio!]
 J. Krishnamurti, the great Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher, spoke and traveled almost continuously all over the world for more than fifty years attempting to convey through words – which are content – that which is beyond words, beyond content. At one of his talks in the later part of his life, he surprised his audience by saying, "Do you want to know my secret?" Everyone became very alert. Many people in the audience had been coming to listen to him for twenty or thirty years and still failed to grasp the essence of his teaching. Finally, after all these years, the master would give them the key to understanding. "This is my secret," he said. "I don’t mind what happens."
He did not elaborate, and so I suspect most of his audience were even more perplexed than before. The implications of this simple statement, however, are profound.
When I don’t mind what happens, what does that imply? It implies that internally I am in alignment with what happens. "What happens," of course, refers to the suchness of this moment, which always already is as it is. It refers to content, the form that this moment – the only moment there ever is – takes. To be in alignment with what is means to be in a relationship of inner nonresistance with what happens. It means not to label it mentally as good or bad, but to let it be. Does this mean you can no longer take action to bring about change in your life? On the contrary. When the basis for your actions is inner alignment with the present moment, your actions become empowered by the intelligence of Life itself.
About the Author: Ekchart Tolle in his book, "A New Earth."
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Not Minding What Happens
What does ‘not minding what happens’ mean to you? Can you share a personal experience of a time you were able to be in a relationship of inner nonresistance with what was happening? What practice helps you develop an inner alignment with the present moment? |
| susan schaller wrote: Last Thursday night, I realized I was counting on getting the job that I was interviewing for the next day. I stopped expecting it, and wrote all kinds of things I could be doing instead. … |
| david doane wrote: ‘Not minding what happens’ means to simply be with what is presently happening within me and between us without judgment or trying to change anything or trying to get somewhere. It means being … |
| Abhishek wrote: This is a BIG one! (or THE big one 🙂 In saying this, essentially to me, J is talking about calling the ‘bluff’ of the mind (which tends to ‘mind’ what is happening, which in turn ensures its o… |
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Editor’s note: Dear Friends, Children have a way of soaking up everything that is happening in the environment around them. This week, we were reminded how important it is to teach them about kindness very early on in their lives. And these lessons can often only come in small everyday acts, helping others with them, allowing them to be the receiver and the giver. We hope you have a chance to share some kindness with a child in your life.
Sangha of Auspicious Companions 