Grasping at the Shadows

-Quotation Wednesday

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. ~Aesop

I can’t say for sure I entirely understand the intent of the author (Aesop) within this quote; but within it I can find meaning that I believe to be tremendously valuable. Each experience, can be seen as a shadow. Whether it’s happiness, success, love, or pain, they are all experiences that come and go. One thing about the ego that I find so fascinating, is its constant attempt to hold onto what it thinks it needs. You experience a little success, and then convince yourself that this is truth and you must never be without it again. You see the shadows of love, and then think that this is the way things are suppose to be.

Do you see what I mean, that the ego wants to hold on to something? This of course is seeing reality completely backwards. You can’t hold on to spring time, you can’t grasp the night sky, you can only experience what is taking place right now. Try and grasp water, and you’ll soon find that you will lose it; you must hold it gently to experience its beauty. By trying to grasp what you think you need or want, it only confirms the illusion in your world, and you miss out on what’s truly going on; the true beauty within now. This life of grasping at shadows is one where you are continually trying to get somewhere, consequently, you lose the substance of what you desire most. When you are happy, be happy. When you are sad, be sad. Appreciate the experience, rather than trying to control it.

Did you find genuine value within this post? If you did, then most likely you know someone else who will as well. I invite you to share the goodness!
Namaste -Tigmonk