Standing at the Crossroads

In our busy world, making time for reflection is a luxury too precious and well beyond the scope of consideration for many. Sad but true, we drone away at our immediate tasks at hand playing the role of firefighter more often than strategist. But sometimes an unexpected series of events permit us a brief peak into a world beyond our sphere of reality. It can be anything from an acute disaster or a chronic slow moving juggernaut coming to a head but usually it is from somewhere in between. Regardless, it has taken the center stage of your attention and is demanding investigation.

This is what Joseph Campbell referred to as the crossroad. An often desperate place where
the only thing to do is to make a forever life-changing decision. In the Hagakure,a manual on what it means to hold the rank and title of samurai, it is stated that a decision should be made within the course of seven breaths. The pragmatism of these ancient warriors was firmly and deeply rooted in every aspect of their lives. The severity of their black and white attitude was attributed to the conditions of war; live or be killed. This was their sphere of reality. Living as if you will die at any moment.

Liberating is must have been for those who loved life so much they welcome death as a natural extension. This is what is meant to live according to the way. To dwell on death is too live in the future and thus moving your mind outside of the present; the mindfulness of the now. The same is true about allowing your mind to live in the past. Being cognizant of the present means allowing nature to happen and intelligently playing with its cues. By having this awareness one will be able to see the crossroad more clearly and distinctly.

So, to further underscore the importance of clarity, without it any goal attempted to be set will be undermined, any decision attempted to be reached will not be fully realized, and any crossroad approached may be glossed over or simply missed. By missing a crossroad, one forfeits the power to make a change in ones life and ultimately the road is selected for them for better or worse. Therefore by not making a decision within the course of seven breaths one runs the risk of losing the opportunity for change.

Conviction is a major key in creative development.

Thanks!

Matthew, MB

Beat your Mental.