This week let us look into a foundational principle in consciousness work (and in life). There is very little chance that without this principle, you will get anywhere meaningful with any project, relationship or any other endeavour in life.
COMMITMENT: Is the “creative act” of binding one’s self and actions to do whatever is necessary to realize an objective as promised by one’s word. It is taking to action what is intended and declared until it comes about, thus generation of power and effectiveness. Putting your “ass on the line” and making sure something is done, or will be done, without fail. Holding no possibility other than that this something will come to pass.
Any obstacle that arises is met with intelligence and action that overcomes the obstacle. One can only break down or fail to do something once they have declared
(to others or themselves) their commitment to do it. Breakdowns or negative thoughts and feelings regarding actions toward a committed goal, are not inconsistent with commitment. In fact, they are likely to arise in contrast to the reality of committed action. What is inconsistent with commitment is remaining with these breakdowns — ineffective behavior, despair, resistance, upset, fear, incapacity, etc. — not whether they come up or not. They do not arise without one taking a stand in the first place. Commitment is what moves us through them, rather than have them stop us.
Committing to something “larger” than yourself, actually tends to dissolve most of your life problems and dissatisfaction. It makes your life about something greater than pursuing all the little ups and downs of a self-agenda. In your own case, you can witness that your failure to commit creates massive dissatisfaction. You obviously can’t take a stand, and when you do, you fail to keep at it. You do get to do what you want when you want, but you are endlessly bound to the force of a self-agenda and its limitations and whims, without really knowing what that is all about. So your commitment is solely to your self. Note that it’s not actually a commitment to your being —which remains unknown to you — but to something adopted to serve survival. Living life in relation to excuses, second guessing, and confusion is not a recipe for satisfaction. Committing to something that you consider worthwhile and then sticking to it, even if you change your mind later on or you find it difficult, will create far more satisfaction in your life, regardless what it is you commit to
Contemplate during the week:
Think about your commitments in life, list them in your mind. How much do your commitments determine you as a person? If you describe yourself, how much of what you are saying are around your life commitments? In life, do you commit to something “larger” than yourself? If you don’t commit, or are solely committed to yourself, then what happens?