Here’s a recap of some symptoms of self-alienation:
- We don’t relate to ourselves or others as we truly are
- We don’t live from a core of real strength
- We identify with a fake version of ourselves
- We rely on public opinion instead of our own convictions
- We operate from defenses we have built into fortresses over many years of diligent effort
As a result, we end up feeling tired, apathetic, and held back from living fully. We then feel angry and guilty for what appears to be laziness.
This laziness, however, is yet another symptom of our self-alienation.
We think laziness is a simple fault.
But we need to look deeper.
It’s not something we can command away with our will. We can tackle it, though, if we address our self-alienation.
When we’re anchored in the center of our being, we will not be lazy. Nor will we feel apathy.
We won’t want to remain idle.
We’ll savor rest and relaxation, but that’s not the same as being lazy. We’ll have a zest for entering the full flow of life every day. Our energy will replenish and regenerate itself.
This is not an age-related issue either.
In truth, losing energy is not natural. True, young people have a certain store of energy that expends itself regardless of many obstructions.
But once that store is depleted, it’s gone.
Self-alienation blocks our ability to regenerate energy. So while our energy may seem to wane with age, age is not the cause.
Thinking this way reinforces this illusion.
Compulsive over-activity is a precarious remedy and it is no better than being lazy. The root is identical.
What about compulsive overactivity? How does that fit in?
It comes from the same root as energy loss and is just a different approach. It’s a fight against laziness that misses the point.
Since we don’t understand the source of the problem, we disapprove of one of its symptoms—laziness—and attack that. This is a precarious remedy, and it is no better than being lazy.
The root is identical.
Overactive people often secretly long to do nothing.
The only real way to unfold our destiny is to find the activity that is in itself meaningful to us—so that we are at one with it. This is something worth striving for.
In reality, everyone operates from some level of pretense. When we become aware of how we do this ourselves, we have the key we need to become aware of our Real Self.
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