What if you needed a completely new wardrobe? How much money would you need? Where would you go shopping? How much time would it take?

 

You could spend a lot of time and effort on this project, and still not be satisfied with the results.

 

What if, instead, you found that deep in the back of your closet was a magical door, that always had the perfect wardrobe. No matter what the weather was, or what the situation. No matter who you were meeting or what you were doing. Jacket, shoes, swimming suit, boots. Anything you could imagine. In every situation, you would be covered. The perfect outfit would be clean, pressed and ready for you to don.

There is a catch though. This perfect outfit is behind a door. The door is unlocked, but it might be inaccessible. As you go through your day, stuff gradually piles up in front of the door.

 

Our journey to experience Inner Peace is a similar challenge. You don’t have to go anywhere, get anything or achieve any outer goals to reach this state.

 

But you do have to be brave enough to go inward. And if you are having any trouble reaching that peaceful, joyful state, you don’t need to run around looking for things, doing things.

 

When you run around you feel like you are really doing something. Really making progress. Accomplishing something. So, it’s tempting to just keep running. It takes some discipline to stop.

 

But, once you stop running around, it simplifies everything. Just, pause, turn and focus inward.

 

So, you need to figure out how to remove the blockages. You can pick up one item at a time and gingerly examine it. Or you can sweep away the whole mess. Maybe there are a few stubborn, heavy pieces that don’t seem to budge. You’ll need a hand to move these out of your way.

Like any cleaning or maintenance project, little by little, you’ll figure out some systems and tools. You’ll find the help and tips you need that gradually make it easier.

 

A regular cleaning process will keep the task manageable, and give you a quick, reliable path to open that door.

 

Being mindful of the garbage that needs to be thrown out and the items that need to be returned or repaired, you’ll come up with some new habits. You’ll develop a daily routine that keeps you easily connected to that place of ease and perfection, that’s been waiting for you all along.

 

Exercises

• Think of the last major cleaning project you did. Write down what it was and jot down your answers to the questions:
• How long did things pile up before you cleaned up? How long did it actually take to do it? How did you feel once it was done? Did you find things you’d forgotten about?
• Make a list of areas of life where you have regular cleaning or maintenance schedules. Consider your house, clothes, exercise, meals, finances, relationships. How have these habits developed? What was life like before you developed these routines?
• Do you have routines to maintain how you feel?

 

 

 

It takes a conscious effort to stop running. To  pause and look inward. To learn that everything you need, you already have.