The Problem with “Problems”

We are conditioned to find answers and solve problems in all of our life experiences. If we are good at solving problems, it is likely we will attract more of them so we can affirm being successful in finding their solutions. We have adopted, as part of our identity, this success in solving problems. Eckhart Tolle spoke about problems (in Practicing the Power of Now) when he said the following:

“All problems are illusions of the mind. The mind unconsciously loves problems because they give you an identity of sorts. This is normal and it is insane. Focus your attention on the Now and tell me what problem you have at this moment. I am not getting any answer because it is impossible to have a problem when your attention is fully in the Now. A situation needs to be either dealt with or accepted. Why make it into a problem?” (Eckhart Tolle. Practicing the Power of Now. p.41)

Knowing the potential and the power of living in the present moment, we have a choice: We can express brilliance in the world or continue solving problems. Taking time to experience the simple joys of the present moment makes us aware that we are capable of experiencing authentic joy, trust, and happiness, not simply solving, or making, more problems.

Present Moment

We’ve usually activated our old patterns from the past because we didn’t know we had a choice. We didn’t know thoughts are just thoughts. We didn’t know we could choose which thoughts to pay attention to. We didn’t understand that our feelings follow our thoughts and that they can be a guide to shift us away from thoughts that make us unhappy to thoughts that make us happy.

Humans are creative beings. Regardless of whether we are focused in our thought systems or our natural brilliance, we are creating every minute of every day. When we get lost in our thoughts, we are still creating—we are creating what we have our attention on. Isn’t it interesting that if we focus on how careless, irresponsible, and messy a family member is, that individual’s messy, careless, and irresponsible behavior appears to get bigger? That person may go into someone else’s house and be neat and clean and responsible. However, when he is around us, he lives up to our expectation and the viewpoint from which we see him.

We can create our lives consciously or unconsciously. When we are unconscious, our habits of thinking continue to reappear as we have experienced the world. We keep bringing the past into the present. When we consciously envision who we want to be and what we want to do (our future), we create a new experience of life. Unconsciousness brings frustration, and consciousness brings freedom.

When living from our Brilliance we are proactive, seeing the best in all and understanding that we all are doing the best we can. We are seeing ourselves and others in the moment and not reacting out of our past beliefs. Living in the present allows us to experience the quiet calm that exists in the eye of a hurricane. No matter what is going on around us, we can center in the moment, in our brilliance, to weather the storm.

When we understand that we can live and express our natural brilliance, we are free, free from the past, free from the problems of the past, and free to create a life that comes from our innate wisdom. In this moment, in any moment, we can choose to let the past be the past.

©2007, Back to Brilliance, Excerpt from Activate Your Brilliance