What is seeking?
What is it we are seeking? From the time we take birth in a particular body, in a particular lifetime, and whether we realize it or not, or become aware of it or not, we are continually on the path of seeking.
As a baby, our seeking may seem simple and limited to ensuring our basic physical and emotional needs are met in order to survive, through food, sleep, and affection from our parents.
As we grow up to be children, our seeking may get more complicated as we cease to be satisfied with only having our basic needs met, and we start to crave the affection, attention, and approval of our family members and the people who form part of our ever widening circle of relationships.
And then, as we mature into youth and adulthood, there seems to be no end or limit to our seeking, as we begin to also desire name, fame, wealth, health, physical beauty, fulfilling careers, loving relationships, and a sense of acceptance and belonging in society.
And finally, as we move into old age, we may seek to avoid suffering, loneliness, sickness, and our inevitable and impending death.
Yet, throughout all this, we remain unsatisfied. Having gone through this cycle again and again, throughout many lifetimes, the question still remains as to what it is we are really seeking.
Based on our experiences and varying levels of maturity, not all of us will be pursuing the same type of physical or emotional pleasures, and not all of our seeking is necessarily about achieving certain worldly goals, or fulfilling our materialistic desires, just for the sake of doing so.
If we look a little deeper into the nature of our seeking, we may find that we are simply running towards the objects of our desire in order to distract ourselves from facing the daunting truth that this body is temporary, and the simple fact that we are born means that we are also going to die.
So to avoid having to deal with the seemingly harsh reality of our lives, we turn away from looking within ourselves, and instead, direct our attention outwards for security and comfort.
We crave and desire temporary pleasures that we do not realize will only bring us more suffering, and we do everything we possibly can to cling to the identity that we have so carefully built.
By doing so, we deny ourselves the opportunity to examine our own internal discontent and to discover the true source of everlasting joy and bliss. This can only come from delving deep into the truth behind the ephemeral and constantly changing nature of our existence, and an understanding that true happiness cannot be found, no matter how hard we try, in worldly pursuits.
This book about seeking is for everyone, because everyone is a seeker. Some of us may not yet know this, but we are all on the path of seeking and we have all taken birth for this reason.
The path of seeking is a continuous journey inwards and upwards. It may seem short and pleasant for some, and long and arduous for others, but we will all of us come to realize that we are all on the path that is right for us in this lifetime.
By reading this book and contemplating on the timeless messages of an enlightened master, you will receive essential guidance and teachings on the path of seeking.
This book is a meditation that will deepen your insight and exploration into the true nature of your self.
And most importantly, this book will be invaluable in ensuring that your seeking never ends and is always kept alive.