04 April 2011
Trust is a great topic and I love discussing it! Trust is a difficult concept to adopt, easy to understand, just not always so simple to practice. The reason, I believe, is that the changes we expect when we begin trusting only come incrementally and we lose our patience. Trust demands faith and we have to be diligent even in the face of what seem like negative results. As an example, there was a time in my own life when I was in a difficult relationship and I really felt compelled to trust this particular person, even though it seemed I was being taken advantage of. But I kept trusting and what I found was that I became a more trusting person at my core and, although it seemed that I was getting burned time and again by this one person, I was actually developing a powerful trust in my myself. As trust began to become a part of me and a guide my actions, subconsciously all my relationships improved. We must first accept, and trust, that every result in our life is happening for our ultimate benefit (faith), that the universe, god, creator of all things (whatever your own concept is) is friendly and always acting on our behalf. As we live into that trust, good fortune and opportunities simply open up for us. But guess what, like everything new and worth learning, it takes practice, perseverance, and dedication! The rewards are huge, however, the peace and serenity that begin to take over us is a priceless feeling. Another way to look at it is that trust is simply knowing that everything in your life is perfect in this moment and that you don't have to seek or do anything to obtain perfection. Trust yourself that you can obtain any life you want, trust that all of your needs will be met by allowing yourself to reach for the good in everything, trust that the universe is a friendly and compassionate ally.
Continuing my story, at one point two or three years into this trusting practice, I was facing a court appearance that actually had the potential for jail time. I was meditating (a practice I highly recommend) that morning and the ego messengers in my head were producing one anxious and stressing thought after another. Suddenly I heard a very clear voice cut through the chatter, “I'll handle it” was exactly what it said. My first impulsive thought was “Is that a clear voice or am I making it up?”, the ego again needing everything to be complicated. It was a clear voice however, even though all the voices in my head sound the same in most ways, there was no doubt this one was authentic. A feeling of euphoria poured over me! The court proceeding was beyond anything I could have imagined, an incredible turn of events that settled the whole issue. And it was trust, my practicing unconditional trust, that created the space for that miraculous turn of events years later.
So developing trust, like most self improvement activities, is simple but not necessarily easy. I suggest focusing on one aspect in your life that's been letting you down, a relationship, your job, maybe even your car, and just incorporate an attitude of trust in all your thinking about it. I know that if you're diligent your whole attitude will evolve and you will be as surprised as I have been by the unforeseen events that will proceed into your life. I trust this has helped!
