Let's start with a story.
It wasn’t long after the Gods had created humankind that they began to realise their mistake. The creatures they had created were so adept, so skilful, so full of curiosity and the spirit of inquiry that it was only a matter of time before they would start to challenge the Gods themselves for supremacy.
To ensure their pre-eminence the Gods held a large conference to discuss the issue. Gods were summoned from all over the known and unknown worlds. The debates were long, detailed, and soul- searching.
All the Gods were very clear about one thing. The difference between them and mortals was the difference between the quality of the resources they had. While humans had their egos and were concerned with the external, material aspects of the world, the Gods had spirit, soul, and an understanding of the workings of the inner self.
The danger was that sooner or later the humans would want some of that too. The Gods decided to hide their precious resources. The question was: where? This was the reason for the length and passion of the debates at the Great Conference of the Gods. Some suggested hiding these resources at the top of the highest mountain. But it was realised that sooner or later the humans would scale such a mountain.
And the deepest crater in the deepest ocean would be discovered.
And mines would be sunk into the earth. And the most impenetrable jungles would give up their secrets. And mechanical birds would explore the sky and space.
And the moon and the planets would become tourist destinations. The Gods fell silent as if every avenue had been explored and found wanting.
Until the Littlest God, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
“Why don’t we hide these resources inside each human? They’ll never think to look for them there.”
What do the Gods know?
They know you are mindful.
They know you can remember who you are.
Who are you?
A person who can:
- pay attention with conscious choice rather than being reactive and defaulting to habitual patterns of automaticity;
- relate to experience through directly sensing it rather than through thoughts;
- bring yourself fully into the present moment rather than dwelling in the past or future;
- approach unpleasant experiences with kindness, curiosity, and compassion rather than trying to avoid, escape, or get rid of such experiences;
- allow things to be just as they are rather than needing things to be different from what they are;
- see thoughts as mental events that may or may not correspond to reality rather than seeing thoughts as true and real;
- take care of yourself with kindness, curiosity, and compassion rather than treating yourself harshly, judgementally, and unkindly.
I'd love to explore these possibilities with you.