Do you wish for something good to happen in the future? I think everyone does. But some of us think too much about the result and not about our present actions.
Spiritual teachers say to focus on the present, while at the same time telling us to take a long view—don’t think only of what you can obtain quickly and forget patience, resilience, and persistence. Results can take a long time to manifest—even in a future lifetime. But they will manifest.
So, which is it? Stay in the present, or look to the future? The answer is both. And the method is to focus on the present action, not the future results. In other words, make your goal a habit, and gain satisfaction from what you get done today.
What gets in the way is the ‘when-then’ mindset. “When the day comes that I see the results, then I can feel good.” But then you’re putting all your good feelings into the future and letting the outer world shape your inner world the way you’d like it to be.
We live one day at a time, and we don’t know how long we will have to live. The present is the only time we really exist. The past is a memory, the future, a desire. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work for results. It only means to find the good—and the satisfaction— in our present actions and whatever results manifest as a bonus.
Of course, we also want to start with the end in mind. Know where you are headed, then stay focused on the path. The path is the goal.
Last week I planted seeds, and I know it will take time for them to develop. Some of them might not make it. But just because the tiny seedlings I see today are small, doesn’t mean they won’t grow.
“If you want to know your past life, look at your present conditions; if you want to know your future life, look at your future actions.”
-Padmasambhava
