End Suffering on Restlessness

by Moe Janosec

     Have you noticed that we suffer from a compulsive condition called “restlessness”? Even when things seem alright for the most part, there is an underlying tension present. This unease or disquiet can often be called restlessness. To describe the state as succinctly as possible, it’s an inner state that says, “I’d much rather be somewhere else, doing something else.”
     And this peculiar attitude prevents me from enjoying myself doing whatever I might be doing at the moment — whether it’s a physically active state, or a mental activity, or whatever. We’ve been told the secret to abolishing our false self forever is to be conscious moment by moment. So, this restless state operating under the surface of consciousness is what takes me away from being present right now and keeps me a prisoner of the old self.
     Where I live, we recently had several days of old-fashioned winter. This created the necessity of pushing a lot of snow around, one way or another. Along with other negativities that tried to gain entrance into me was restlessness — “Now I see why so many people get a place in Arizona to live in the winter!” Or as the old saying goes, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” Why can’t I simply be “present” when I must take care of clearing the snow?
     The point isn’t how many residences I may or may not have. It’s why I can’t be content doing whatever needs doing at the time. This goes much deeper than a first glance may reveal. Not long ago I went to lunch at a restaurant, and the service was slow. First something in me wanted to complain: “Can’t they see how hungry I am?” Then my mind started to wander, wanting to be somewhere else. It was searching for something to do to stay restlessly active, rather than just slowing down and allowing an impartial awareness of where I was right then to come in. Why can’t I be mentally and emotionally quiet and alert while waiting for my meal?
     I’ve come to see just a little bit that the real underlying problem, why I unconsciously give way to restlessness, is the fear of facing my own inner emptiness. Which we’ve been told is not really empty at all, but I’m going to have to go through the shock and discomfort of seeing that for myself.
     I live in an area where many vacationers visit. And some are so overtly restless as you observe them, you think, my goodness, they’re driving themselves crazy with all their frantic activity! They’re here, there, everywhere and anywhere. Aren’t they supposed to be having a fun, relaxed, enjoyable time? And, if you watch closely, you can see that even if they’re not behaving that way physically at the moment, that is what is acting on them inwardly, mentally, emotionally.
     The problem is not that these principles don’t work — it’s that we as individuals do not persistently, sincerely apply them. There’s always something “more important” we have to do with our day and its energy. These teachings are meant to be used right in the middle of a busy workday, and also in moments of quiet reflection. Truth is always waiting for my invitation, now is the time for me to stop resisting its help!
     Do I want my own restless spirit to finally give way to calm, poise … genuine contentment? If I truly do, and not just say that I do, these teachings will show me the way. Vernon Howard told us, “The entire universe can come to your door”. But I’m going to have to be home in my “house” for that to occur. Not roaming restlessly around, either physically or mentally. Anything and everything that is possible for me to experience depends upon my being home inwardly to perceive it. And if there is enough intense interest on my part to find out if this is true, I’ll find out.