WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:05.359 Let's ask the question, what is this life thing really about? What's the point of it all? 2 00:00:05.359 --> 00:00:07.140 And I'll tell you why this is important. 3 00:00:07.520 --> 00:00:13.840 Because if you don't understand the point of it all, you have a very frustrating experience when playing the game. 4 00:00:13.840 --> 00:00:19.625 The more you understand the point of being human, the point of life itself, the more beautiful it becomes. 5 00:00:25.765 --> 00:00:27.224 In one way, the theme 6 00:00:28.165 --> 00:00:29.305 is how profoundly 7 00:00:29.765 --> 00:00:30.265 sacred 8 00:00:31.560 --> 00:00:32.700 this life is. 9 00:00:39.480 --> 00:00:41.100 How amazing the opportunity 10 00:00:41.400 --> 00:00:43.340 is that we have as human beings. 11 00:00:48.274 --> 00:00:51.094 And how this experience that we seem to be having 12 00:00:53.074 --> 00:00:54.774 is consciously designed 13 00:00:55.555 --> 00:00:57.335 for a very specific purpose. 14 00:01:03.650 --> 00:01:06.070 Not as a cute spiritual phrase that 15 00:01:06.930 --> 00:01:08.630 tries to help you calm down, 16 00:01:10.290 --> 00:01:12.470 but as a fundamental truth of reality. 17 00:01:18.585 --> 00:01:20.445 And the doorway to see this, 18 00:01:22.344 --> 00:01:23.325 in some ways, 19 00:01:24.024 --> 00:01:25.164 demands a presence, 20 00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:31.820 demands your complete attention. 21 00:01:35.400 --> 00:01:38.620 In some way, it demands that you give up everything else, 22 00:01:40.520 --> 00:01:42.620 just so that you could be fully available, 23 00:01:45.015 --> 00:01:47.355 to see what is actually real and true. 24 00:01:51.895 --> 00:01:53.115 And that, of course, 25 00:01:54.935 --> 00:01:57.595 is only if you really wanna see what's true. 26 00:01:59.729 --> 00:02:00.869 Because there's no requirement 27 00:02:01.170 --> 00:02:02.310 that you have to. 28 00:02:06.530 --> 00:02:08.550 But if you want to see the truth, 29 00:02:09.729 --> 00:02:12.709 then yes, in a way, it demands your full attention. 30 00:02:18.745 --> 00:02:22.365 And of course, we become much more open to see this truth. 31 00:02:23.545 --> 00:02:24.445 The more we 32 00:02:25.225 --> 00:02:27.405 get lost in the world, so to speak, 33 00:02:29.690 --> 00:02:32.830 The more we keep running around in circles going nowhere. 34 00:02:36.170 --> 00:02:40.430 The more the things we want out there continue to slip through our fingers. 35 00:02:42.834 --> 00:02:44.375 The more we become exhausted. 36 00:02:46.754 --> 00:02:50.215 Something inside opens up and asks, Wait, 37 00:02:51.474 --> 00:02:53.095 what is really going on here? 38 00:02:54.674 --> 00:02:55.815 And I'll tell you, 39 00:02:57.130 --> 00:02:57.630 life, 40 00:02:58.250 --> 00:02:59.630 God, the universe, 41 00:03:00.090 --> 00:03:01.550 whatever you want to call it, 42 00:03:02.490 --> 00:03:03.710 wants to show you. 43 00:03:07.610 --> 00:03:08.990 But, you have to be available. 44 00:03:16.305 --> 00:03:18.965 And I love that how life doesn't demand it, 45 00:03:19.345 --> 00:03:20.885 doesn't say you have to, 46 00:03:22.465 --> 00:03:22.965 but 47 00:03:25.265 --> 00:03:28.004 if you want to, you have to show up. 48 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:32.220 Right? It's kind of like getting a job. 49 00:03:34.440 --> 00:03:36.860 If you want the job, you gotta show up to the interview. 50 00:03:41.135 --> 00:03:44.355 Or if you wanna do good at the job, you have to show up to orientation, 51 00:03:47.055 --> 00:03:49.394 and you have to be present. You have to pay attention. 52 00:03:53.230 --> 00:03:57.650 In one way it's like in that moment, it has to be the most important thing. 53 00:04:02.670 --> 00:04:03.410 And so, 54 00:04:04.670 --> 00:04:07.250 even though I don't have much of a plan right now, 55 00:04:09.325 --> 00:04:11.745 maybe we can just hang out here together, 56 00:04:13.725 --> 00:04:16.145 and I can share some words and pointers 57 00:04:18.605 --> 00:04:20.305 that might help us understand 58 00:04:21.325 --> 00:04:23.105 what the hell is really going on 59 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:27.540 in this experience called life and being human, 60 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:33.540 which has the potential to 61 00:04:34.400 --> 00:04:35.940 bring a profound simplicity 62 00:04:38.175 --> 00:04:40.595 to all aspects of our human journey. 63 00:04:41.855 --> 00:04:43.795 Because surely, and possibly, 64 00:04:45.295 --> 00:04:46.595 there's so many questions. 65 00:04:48.415 --> 00:04:52.995 What about this? And what about this? And what about this? And what about this? And what about this? 66 00:04:56.330 --> 00:04:58.030 And really, it's just one thing. 67 00:05:01.050 --> 00:05:04.189 And to see that one thing answers all those questions. 68 00:05:09.725 --> 00:05:10.785 Where do we start? 69 00:05:15.164 --> 00:05:15.664 Well, 70 00:05:16.285 --> 00:05:17.585 let's ask the question, 71 00:05:18.764 --> 00:05:20.384 what is this life thing 72 00:05:20.925 --> 00:05:21.745 really about? 73 00:05:23.280 --> 00:05:24.900 What's the point of it all? 74 00:05:26.080 --> 00:05:27.940 And I'll tell you why this is important. 75 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:33.940 Because if you don't understand the point of it all, 76 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:37.460 you have a very frustrating experience 77 00:05:38.135 --> 00:05:39.435 when playing the game. 78 00:05:43.095 --> 00:05:45.995 Or if you confuse the point of it all, 79 00:05:47.415 --> 00:05:50.075 then as you play, the game doesn't make any sense. 80 00:05:52.789 --> 00:05:54.729 And, again, it's kind of like relationship. 81 00:05:56.150 --> 00:05:59.370 To be in relationship with another human being so often, 82 00:06:00.150 --> 00:06:02.410 we think the point is to 83 00:06:03.270 --> 00:06:04.650 get to a certain outcome, 84 00:06:06.664 --> 00:06:09.565 which makes the present moment experience of the relationship 85 00:06:10.504 --> 00:06:11.324 quite anxious. 86 00:06:15.384 --> 00:06:20.125 Or if you think the experience of a relationship is to get love from another person, 87 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:24.600 Again, it makes the relationship quite difficult. 88 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:31.960 And you learn this, of course, as you go through the play of relating. 89 00:06:33.715 --> 00:06:37.415 You start to see more and more clearly, even if you can't now 90 00:06:37.955 --> 00:06:38.855 define it. 91 00:06:40.195 --> 00:06:42.935 There's a sense of what the real point actually is, 92 00:06:43.475 --> 00:06:46.215 and you become much more present in the relationship. 93 00:06:48.930 --> 00:06:50.870 You become less defensive, 94 00:06:51.810 --> 00:06:52.710 more open, 95 00:06:54.770 --> 00:06:58.390 and you discover a beauty in the experience of relationship 96 00:06:59.570 --> 00:07:01.670 that is the point of relationship. 97 00:07:05.065 --> 00:07:07.965 And so the more you understand the point of relationship, 98 00:07:09.145 --> 00:07:10.685 the more beautiful it becomes, 99 00:07:13.465 --> 00:07:14.685 regardless of outcome. 100 00:07:18.150 --> 00:07:19.130 Same with life. 101 00:07:21.750 --> 00:07:26.009 The more you understand the point of being human, the point of life itself, 102 00:07:27.990 --> 00:07:29.530 the more beautiful it becomes. 103 00:07:30.045 --> 00:07:32.465 And what is that beauty? My goodness. 104 00:07:34.925 --> 00:07:37.505 I don't even know how to put words to that right now. 105 00:07:40.685 --> 00:07:42.545 I'm not even going to try. 106 00:07:45.330 --> 00:07:47.990 But let's go back to what is the point of it all? 107 00:07:50.370 --> 00:07:51.990 Well, let me ask you this. 108 00:07:53.810 --> 00:07:54.949 What is the point 109 00:07:55.570 --> 00:07:56.550 of the rain? 110 00:08:00.345 --> 00:08:01.325 What is the point 111 00:08:02.025 --> 00:08:02.925 of a tree? 112 00:08:05.065 --> 00:08:07.325 What is the point of the mountains, 113 00:08:08.025 --> 00:08:08.765 the stars, 114 00:08:09.705 --> 00:08:11.165 the flowers, and the bees? 115 00:08:14.185 --> 00:08:15.725 What is the point of everything 116 00:08:16.290 --> 00:08:17.270 and anything? 117 00:08:20.370 --> 00:08:21.990 Why does it do what it does? 118 00:08:23.490 --> 00:08:25.030 Why is it what it is? 119 00:08:30.025 --> 00:08:35.005 And to fast forward, we might find a conclusion that says, so that life can be life. 120 00:08:38.745 --> 00:08:40.605 Does the rain rain 121 00:08:41.065 --> 00:08:42.205 because it's bored? 122 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:47.780 Or does the rain be what it is 123 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:51.620 because it's what life needs in order for life to be life? 124 00:08:55.845 --> 00:08:59.305 Does the tree stand there because it doesn't have anything else to do? 125 00:09:02.805 --> 00:09:05.545 Or does it stand there, being what it is, 126 00:09:06.084 --> 00:09:08.425 because it contributes in such a way 127 00:09:08.900 --> 00:09:10.600 that helps life be life. 128 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:15.160 And the mountains themselves, 129 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:20.040 do they not make possible the valley? 130 00:09:24.355 --> 00:09:25.335 Do they not 131 00:09:25.955 --> 00:09:29.575 hold the snow until the perfect time for it to become a river? 132 00:09:33.555 --> 00:09:35.895 Does it not serve an important function 133 00:09:37.310 --> 00:09:39.010 that allows life to be life? 134 00:09:52.605 --> 00:09:54.065 Why does everything die? 135 00:09:56.285 --> 00:09:58.464 As it gives itself back to life 136 00:09:58.765 --> 00:10:01.105 so that life might keep being life. 137 00:10:09.900 --> 00:10:12.000 What's the point? What's the purpose? 138 00:10:14.780 --> 00:10:15.840 Do you see this, 139 00:10:16.475 --> 00:10:19.935 whether we imagine it to be the smallest thing or the largest thing? 140 00:10:22.395 --> 00:10:24.975 Do you see that it serves a particular function 141 00:10:25.755 --> 00:10:27.855 that is in service to the whole? 142 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:31.080 And the whole of what? 143 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:33.399 Life. 144 00:10:39.459 --> 00:10:43.240 And surely, depending on where one is at in their awareness, 145 00:10:44.275 --> 00:10:45.335 they might think, 146 00:10:45.795 --> 00:10:47.415 well, that's not a big deal. 147 00:10:49.155 --> 00:10:53.255 And to that, I would say, well, then you don't really see life. 148 00:10:57.190 --> 00:11:01.370 The fact that this is happening and nobody really understands how it's happening, 149 00:11:06.230 --> 00:11:07.450 and yet it's happening. 150 00:11:08.550 --> 00:11:10.250 We don't even know when it started. 151 00:11:11.030 --> 00:11:12.785 We make up stories about it. 152 00:11:16.685 --> 00:11:18.225 And there's this 153 00:11:20.365 --> 00:11:23.985 stark uncertainty about if and when it will ever end. 154 00:11:26.524 --> 00:11:27.425 It's a mystery, 155 00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:29.320 and yet it's happening. 156 00:11:30.900 --> 00:11:33.320 And do you see that this life that is happening, 157 00:11:36.020 --> 00:11:38.840 this life that is made up of 10,000 things, 158 00:11:40.505 --> 00:11:43.805 that all give itself in service to the whole thing, 159 00:11:47.305 --> 00:11:49.965 is the container that allows you to be here, 160 00:11:51.305 --> 00:11:53.100 and you are part of that thing. 161 00:11:55.819 --> 00:11:58.880 Just as the tree is part of it, you are part of it. 162 00:12:01.420 --> 00:12:03.519 Just as the rain does what it does, 163 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:05.519 you do what you do. 164 00:12:09.675 --> 00:12:12.335 Do you see this? There is nothing in existence 165 00:12:14.075 --> 00:12:15.855 that is not an integral 166 00:12:16.235 --> 00:12:16.735 aspect 167 00:12:17.675 --> 00:12:19.215 of life being life. 168 00:12:21.389 --> 00:12:23.490 It doesn't matter if you like it or not. 169 00:12:24.029 --> 00:12:26.370 It doesn't matter if you think it smells bad. 170 00:12:28.430 --> 00:12:29.329 It's integral. 171 00:12:31.630 --> 00:12:34.850 It doesn't matter your argument with lightning 172 00:12:35.445 --> 00:12:36.345 or the storm. 173 00:12:38.165 --> 00:12:42.025 They have to be what they are in order for this balance to be maintained 174 00:12:42.805 --> 00:12:43.545 that allows 175 00:12:43.925 --> 00:12:46.745 life to be life, which is also to say 176 00:12:47.125 --> 00:12:49.945 that allows this moment to be this moment. 177 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:55.320 Do you really see this moment? 178 00:12:58.340 --> 00:13:00.360 Do you see the magnitude of it? 179 00:13:06.685 --> 00:13:08.704 When you step out and see nature, 180 00:13:10.845 --> 00:13:12.384 do you not see the magic 181 00:13:13.005 --> 00:13:13.824 of what is, 182 00:13:15.404 --> 00:13:16.945 the miracle of what is? 183 00:13:25.750 --> 00:13:28.490 And isn't it wild that we as human beings, 184 00:13:29.110 --> 00:13:30.890 we're so oblivious to this 185 00:13:31.270 --> 00:13:32.810 as we go about our lives? 186 00:13:34.475 --> 00:13:36.255 It's like we don't even see life. 187 00:13:36.955 --> 00:13:38.255 We don't see the miracle. 188 00:13:39.435 --> 00:13:42.815 We don't see the sacredness of it all. What do we see? 189 00:13:46.290 --> 00:13:47.830 We see our imagination 190 00:13:48.290 --> 00:13:51.029 playing out in some fantasy of a life 191 00:13:51.570 --> 00:13:52.950 that's not actually happening. 192 00:14:00.545 --> 00:14:02.245 We see a story of ourselves 193 00:14:02.945 --> 00:14:05.765 going somewhere that's not a real somewhere. 194 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:18.200 We see us running from fears that we imagine to be there 195 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:19.800 that aren't really there. 196 00:14:24.260 --> 00:14:26.975 And in one way, in a manner of speaking, 197 00:14:28.955 --> 00:14:29.775 we are 198 00:14:30.795 --> 00:14:31.295 disconnected 199 00:14:31.995 --> 00:14:33.615 from the life that is happening. 200 00:14:38.235 --> 00:14:39.855 Which is almost like saying, 201 00:14:40.490 --> 00:14:42.190 we're not truly being.