"This Week"
by the
Bahrain Meditation Centre

25th March,, 2006

*Pathways* (Part I)

One of the most highly prized freedoms in human life is the freedom of
choice. Millions have fought and died down the centuries for the right to
make and follow their own choices. Unfortunately many of the free choices we
make each day are illusory freedoms. Our choices lead us down one of two
paths, the Path of the Slave or the Path of the Master.
The Path of the Slave 1 Attention

The first and constantly recurring choice is to what and to whom we give our
attention. Where our attention goes our energy flows. There are now a
thousand and one people competing for our attention and the flow of our
cash. We find it easy however, not to take responsibility for where our
attention goes and we blame the glitz, glamour, distractions, slogans and
images which surround and bombard every day. Our attention is not only
easily caught it is often 'up for sale'!
2 Attraction

Unaware of the trap set by the images and the messages of modern
communication, attraction follows attention as we move towards the object of
our now stimulated curiosity and desire. The new dress, the new car, the new
person, begin to pull us just as gravity surely pulls a falling stone to
earth.
3 Attachment

Then, if we are three hundred yards down the road and round the corner, but
still 'thinking' of the object of attraction it means we are attached.
Attachment is not a commonly used word in our 'sophisticated' societies. In
relationship to our property it is called possession. In relationship to
ideas it is called copyright. In relationship with another person it is
often called love. But attachment can never be love. Attachment means
resistance to letting go and where there is resistance there is fear. When
we choose attachment we choose fear, and fear is the opposite of love.
4 Addiction

We know we are addicted when we must have or think of the object of
attachment in order to feel good within our self. Who would choose to be an
addict? Few would argue for it, but many, if not most, choose it a hundred
times a day. Addiction is indulging, consuming and returning to the same
source of indulgent pleasure with habitual regularity, even if it is just in
our head at the level of our thoughts and emotions. Most of our addictions
are mental or emotional.
5 Atonement

Is when you pay the price for becoming dependent, much like the drug addict
or any addict eventually has to pay with the discomfort of withdrawal or
slipping further down that slippery slope of dependency. How often have you
seen a child and a toy being separated easily? The tearing, the wrenching,
the parting are accompanied by screams and tears. Suffering is the price
that must be paid for taking a stroll down the path of attention,
attraction, attachment and addiction. Suffering always precedes atonement.

*Question*: What do you feel are your three deepest attachments?

*Reflections*: Why does all attachment result in some kind of 'discomfort'

*Action*: Identify a small but significant area of your life and a
relatively minor attachment within that area and 'let go'.

*Next week* we introduce a new look to our weekly reflection as we explore *The
Path of the Master*

Om Shanti
(I am a peaceful soul)