Why Consistent Contentment can never be found in the Human Condition.

The human experience is a fascinating mix of emotions, challenges, and questions about our existence. For centuries, amazing humans have explored what it means to be human, looking through the lenses of science, philosophy, religion, and psychology. One key component of this exploration is our ongoing quest for solutions to human suffering. My blog today contemplates the notion that perhaps there are no real solutions to our struggles—just a mind (thoughts) that convinces us it needs them!!

The Nature of the Human Condition -

At its core, the human condition consists of individual and shared experiences and challenges that define our humanity. Human emotions defined as love, fear, joy, grief and pain highlight both our perceived vulnerability and strength. Despite their universality, feelings often drive people to seek avoidant strategies, remedies or "solutions" for the unwanted ones!

Perfecting this pursuit is not inherently wrong. In fact, seeking for resolutions can foster personal growth and lead to transformation. However, when the quest for answers, solutions and remedies for unwanted feelings or states becomes obsessive and neurotic, it often results in more confusion and frustration rather than clarity and peace...a dog chasing its tail.

According to a study by the American Psychological Association, over 64 % of adults feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. This overwhelmed state frequently emerges from the pressure to find solutions to every 'perceived' issue. I say perceived because what may be perceived as a real problem to be fixed by one person, may not be bothersome or even registered as a problem at all by another.

The Mind’s Function is Solely To Solve Problems -

Our minds are extraordinary tools. They help us reason, solve problems, and navigate life's complexities. Yet when minds momentary 'interpretation' (which is all a minds perspective is) is given too much credibility as truth we can seem trapped in cycles of overthinking and anxiety. The belief that every apparent issue that the mind generates requires a solution can create immense pressure, making it hard to appreciate the present moment. I feel this is especially true for very intellectual minds; which is why maybe they are more prone to mental disorders. The intellectual mind interprets the present moment in infinitely variable ways continuously seeking an all encompassing, unifying solution - that of course doesn't exist! It is merely an interpretation or movement of mind seeking stillness :). it could be argued that trauma in childhood or feeling ill equipped to handle big emotions as children drives our focus in to the mind to 'cope'.

The mind interprets an experience or the present moment as the very problem that it then seeks to 'fix'!!. For example an anxious, perfectionist mind forsees every possible way an event may 'go wrong' so it busys itself preempting every possible 'failure' variable...crazy making!!

Many philosophies encourage us to practice mindfulness and acceptance of the natural flow of life & feelings, in presence, instead of relentlessly seeking perfection or okness in 'minds timeline'. For instance, Buddhism teaches that suffering is part of the human experience and that awareness here and now can lead to peace. Peace is the result of feeling safe enough in the body to experience all that life may throw at us :). Recognising that some experiences or emotions that the experiences generate are not problems to be resolved but realities to be accepted can be so liberating. For example we may desperately wait and seek a life time for the perfect partner so that we can finally feel safe and loved, when maybe accepting deeply the feeling of lonliness may expand our consciousness in to deep peace.

What emotions present here and now are you running away from or seeking in minds imagined timeline to alleviate?

This questions can be so liberating, to finally stop being a slave to a mind that is continually telling us that our lives aren't perfect enough... trying to perfect our lives :)....telling us "we are not quite there yet!!". It simply isn't true :).

The Illusion of Control

A significant part of the human condition involves our desire to control our surroundings. Imagined control can momentarily provide some comfort and security, but lifes natural unfolding obviously remains beyond our influence. When we try to impose solutions (control) on life, people or situations that we cannot change ( and have no right to impose on), we can quickly feel disillusioned and powerless.

Take grief as an illustration. Every individual experiences grief differently; it doesn't need to be "solved." It is a perfectly natural arising in response to the apparent loss of a loved one. Rather than seeking a cure for grief or trying to hurry it along or take medications to numb it, it essential to process the emotions naturally at its own pace, not your minds :). Resources like support groups show that attending to grief through shared conversations can help individuals navigate the difficult landscape of loss, promoting healing and integration rather than simply trying to find a 'fix'; which is actually the minds way of avoiding :).

As much as it can the human mind will try to avoid processing and integrating emotion through seeking 'solutions'. The mind is the eternal fixer, it perceives big emotions as problems to solve! Our minds have often been programmed to perceive big emotions as inconvenient :).

Hence its incessant looping rumination in anxiety sufferers, it is trying to find a solution in past or future to 'solve' the current feelings of fear. Only by really being present with the fear 'here and now' does it integrate. Maybe the emotion of fear was too big to cope with as a child...so it remains unintegrated.

Embracing the Complexity

Life interpreted by mind (thoughts) is complex, our emotions are not. Accepting that definitive solutions to the minds 'interpretations' of our life experience do not actually exist, encourages us to embrace the messiness, inconsistency and wonderful imperfection of our perfectly unfolding existence. Each person's journey (story) is unique, shaped by a range of experiences and backgrounds and conditioning, which gives rise to our 'personal' interpretations of this infinite, mysterious singularity we call life.

We benefit from considering various coping mechanisms to lifes spontaneous and uncontrollable arisings, instead of looking only through our minds yearning for the ultimate solution or fix!. Lifes natural flow doesn't need solutions....only a mind 'thinks' it does.

Life is simply expressing itself freely. Life as it unfolds can never be 'wrong'. It is!!. Again only a mind interprets momentary 'wrongness' and then seeks for a fix or a solution to the wrongness that IT perceives or generates!!

This deeper exploration of life beyond our individual minds projection of it can lead to periods of growth and insight. For example, reading literature or exploring art can expand our consciousness and perceptions and provide new more expanded and freer perspectives on our experiences.

Engaging with different worldviews and cultures can broaden our understanding and reveal alternative ways to manage challenges. eg the 'belief' in life after death may open our perspective up a bit and help integrate some of the pain of loss; making it more palatable or acceptable to the mind. It is only mind that 'suffers' the idea of loss. Our inherent being (before interpretation of experience; mind) doesn't know loss. It doesn't know birth or death; these are inherited concepts of the mind.

The Role of Community

Despite our unique paths, community plays an essential role in our lives. Connecting with others who share similar experiences fosters belonging and understanding. Sharing struggles often illuminates our issues, revealing perspectives we may have overlooked. We no longer feel alone and isolated in our pain.

Sharing our stories nurtures empathy and connection (love), guiding us toward acceptance, expansion and openness (love - heart), instead of remaining stuck in the continual seeking to problem-solve ourselves! (mind - fear).

In our sharing of our pain and fear, openly and honestly, we realise we are ALL the same :).

Transitioning to Acceptance

Learning to accept our fully our human condition is a gradual but vital journey. Acceptance does not mean giving up; it involves recognising our feelings without the burden of needing to resolve, fix or avoid them. Mindfulness can aid in this journey of acceptance of the full gamut of our selves.

Mindfulness teaches us to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment; without needing to know why they are here and how to avoid or be rid of them. This practice can create space and expansion to acknowledge the complexities of our conditioning without immediate demands of the mind for solutions. By incorporating simple practices like focused breathing or meditation, we can deepen our connection with ALL aspects of ourselves and discover profound insights about our lives. A fully integrated human is one that feels safe to fully feel life....exactly as it is...

The Dichotomy of Being Human

The relentless search for perfect solutions or 'states of being' highlights a duality in our lives: the desire for control and certainty versus the reality of uncertainty. Life is uncertainty and we must become comfortable in this if we are to be at peace. We often operate on a spectrum, feeling discomfort in the unknown while seeking comfort in clear answers. But the clarity is ALWAYS present, underneath and as the play of duality of mind.

Finding fulfilment within this paradox invites curiosity instead of fear. Living with uncertainty can teach us the value of spontaneity, resilience, and flexibility. These qualities are crucial as we navigate life's unpredictable nature, reminding us that the journey itself matters more than merely arriving at a solution. The journey IS the only reality. There is no perfect destination :). There are no ultimate solutions to the human condition :). Life doesn't need solutions, life isn't a problem, only the human mind craves solutions so that life can feel ok, again IT generates the illusionary problems that it seeks to solve. Of course there are challenges arising in life; they are a perfect part of its grand design....its perfect unfolding.

Mind perceives a flaw, a wrinkle in time, and it can't be ok until the flaw is fixed 'in time'. A rat wheel of infinite problems to solve - loves it!! :). Mind is in its own loop of finding and fixing problems. That is the human condition :). That is the nature of mind - it loves to create (perceive) problems to solve, continuously scanning the vast vista of memories, ideas, absorbed data in an attempt to create the perfect version of your life!

You are both time and timelessness simultaneously. Time is a creation of mind :); the only place that mind can exist! Problems only exist 'in time' where mind exists; perceived problems and mind are synonymous. The totality of you includes a mind but is not limited to the mind. The minds ramblings have never actually defined you or others or life....just rambling data :).

Embracing the Human Experience

Ultimately, accepting that there are no ultimate solutions to the restlessness of the human condition (because it was never your problem to 'fix') can be freeing. This realisation allows us to focus our time and energy on living fully HERE, rather than following the seeking trails of mind for solutions in the illusionary past and future. Mind, thought, will continuously seek to juggle, jiggle and rearrange your imaginary timeline to create perfection or consistent okness....it's just the nature of it...it's what it loves to do! But it never defined you. It never defined anything! It is just a functioning. It is a problem solver, a great tool when used only as that. But it sees everything as a problem to be improved, including you and your life story:).

What you really are is only and always right HERE...in timelessness.

Mind can only exist 'in time'.

Every experience, whether deeply joyful or deeply painful IS perfectly, spontaneously and uncontrollably the rich tapestry of our lives. We get what we get and it's up to the unknowable creative genius; I call God. These moments cultivate such gratitude for existence itself. How amazing that we even are!...and they truly deepen our understanding of what it means to be human.

Nobody ever knows what the next moment in this unknowable mystery will bring...but the mind thinks it can know and therefore control :). How funny :).

When mind is no longer taken so seriously...the deepest humility..reverence and love for this gift of life remains.

Reflecting on Our Journey

In a human worldly perspective that often pressures us to perceive the natural unfolding of life as problematic and therefore seek solutions, we must question the assumption that the aspects we are told are problematic are actually problematic!.

Can you be brave and unsubscribe from the belief that you or your life needs improvement?...

Can you unsubscribe from the belief that this moment is not ENOUGH?...

Can you unsubscribe from the belief that freedom...deep rest....consistent okness will be found in the future....WHEN.....fill in the blank....when the mind is at rest...IT NEVER WILL BE...it's like waiting for the ocean to be still so that you can float in peace upon it....

The minds nature is PROBLEMS TO FIX!!!!!

Of course our struggles can become opportunities for growth and evolution....but it must be clearly seen that our inherent nature is already whole and complete. Embracing the lack of perfect solutions, because there's no such thing! enables us to be kinder to ourselves and others. It is through accepting human conditioned complexities that we may discover a deeper sense of purpose and fulfilment, navigating the human experience with authenticity, humility and grace.

Awaken out of identification with mind into inherent unity. Considering this journey, it becomes clear that our focus away from minds problem-solving tendency on to appreciating life in all its intricate beauty....will feel so much nicer in the body:).