MindHack Digest: The Burdens of the Past
Happy Monday!
The inability or rather unwillingness of the human mind to let go of the past is beautifully illustrated in this story of two Zen Monks, Tanzan and Ekido, who were walking along a country road that had become extremely muddy after heavy rains.
As they neared a village, they came upon a young woman who was trying to cross the road, but the mud was so deep it would have ruined the silk kimono she was wearing.
Tanzan at once picked her up and carried her to the other side.
The monks walked on in silence. Five hours later, as they were approaching the lodging temple, Ekido couldn’t restrain himself any longer.
“Why did you carry that girl across the road?” he asked. “We monks are not supposed to do things like that.”
“I put the girl down hours ago,” said Tanzan. “Are you still carrying her?”
Now imagine what life would be like for someone who lived like Ekido all the time, unable or unwilling to let go internally of situations, accumulating more and more “stuff” inside, and you get a sense of what life is like for the majority (99%) of people on our planet.
What a heavy burden of past that people carry around in their minds.
The past lives in you as memories, but memories in themselves are not a problem. In fact, it is only through memory that we learn from the past and from past mistakes.
It is only when memories, that is thoughts about the past, take you over completely that they turn into a burden, turn problematic and become part of your sense of self.
Your personality, which is conditioned by the past, then becomes your prison.
This story from Eckhart Tolle’s book called A New Earth begs the question - Are YOU holding on to the past?
🍺 to a better week ahead!
- Cody
Coolest Finds of the Week
(10m Read) There’s so much uncertainty about when this will all end and what the future looks like; with social isolation dates continually being pushed back, it leaves us stuck in a never-ending present.
The Right Way to Pass Fellow Pedestrians, and Other Social Distancing Tips
(8m Reading) Being a model local citizen during coronavirus requires us to upend some of our ingrained neighborly behaviors. Here’s how to adopt new ones.
The IKEA Effect: How We Value the Fruits of our Labour over Instant Gratification
(6m Read) The IKEA effect is caked in myth, but the phenomenon of consumers valuing their own efforts is proven and potent.
Productivity Skills to Help You Gain Time Back
(7m Read) By making fewer excuses, and investing the time required to design our work and personal lives, not only can we join the new rich, but we can cultivate a more meaningful and less regrettable life.
How to Dial Back Your Screen Time and Survive Social Media in Quarantine
(5m Read) Computer scientist Cal Newport on why the quality of your quarantine may come down to how you use your technology.
You Need to Practice Being Your Future Self
(5m Read) Stop letting the present and the past get in your way.
By Cody McLain
Get a head-start to your week with the latest news and articles involving Productivity, Business, Science, Psychology Technology and more. Cody is a successful serial entrepreneur who creates and shares content around helping you live a more successful and meaningful life.
If you don't want these updates anymore, please unsubscribe here.
If you were forwarded this newsletter and you like it, you can subscribe here.
Powered by Revue
503 Neches St. Austin, TX 78701