Feeling Good

I knew when I began a series of paintings intended to explore my states of mind that I would be challenged, probably on many levels. I went in knowing that joyful feelings might be a reward of the endeavor, but they wouldn’t be a big player in the middle of the project. I’m glad I held this perspective early on, as it helped me find fascination in the difficulties rather than self-pity. 

Somewhere in the middle of my series a friend sent me this profound quote. You’ll see why I kept it close and revisited it for courage. 

In order to be truly free, you must desire to know the truth more than you want to feel good. Because if feeling good is your goal, then as soon as you feel better you will lose interest in what is true. 

This does not mean that feeling good or experiencing love and bliss is a bad thing. Given the choice, anyone would choose to feel bliss rather than sorrow. It simply means that if this desire to feel good is stronger than the yearning to see, know, and experience Truth, then this desire will always be distorting the perception of what is Real, while corrupting one's deepest integrity. 

In my experience, everyone will say they want to discover the Truth, right up until they realize that the Truth will rob them of their deepest held ideas, beliefs, hopes, and dreams. The freedom of enlightenment means much more than the experience of love and peace. It means discovering a Truth that will turn your view of self and life upside-down.

For one who is truly ready, this will be unimaginably liberating. But for one who is still clinging in any way, this will be extremely challenging indeed. 

-D R Butler (Passed along from Karen Melody Shatar)