In the illusion of separation we have developed the idea that we are in competition with each other, and that our success is measured by how well we achieve as compared with one another. In order to determine how we fit in with the world, we contrast things like our own wealth, level of education, status, rank, assets, age, beauty etc. against other people in our experience.
Following this mindset, we feel proud and happy when we perceive ourselves as winning or having gotten the upper hand against another person or group of people; while the perception that we have lost, are losing, or that we are "less than" anyone causes emotional discomfort and even pain. In business transactions, many of us feel gratified if we believe we have received the better end of a bargain - even if that means taking unfair advantage of another person.
Because we have lost sight of our true power, many of us seek to manipulate people or situations as necessary to avoid losing at all costs. But the more we strive to win, the more we create discord between our vibratory offering and the source of all blessings and abundance.
Specifically, while we may create the perception that we are winners because we have gained a material advantage, in this way we also deepen the mental conditioning that our value is dependent on our ability to be more, do more or get more than other people. This validates our egocentric feeling of separation from everything else, which causes mental tension and fear around the possibility of losing.
Because we expend most of our mental energy on our endeavors to "get ahead", our vibratory offering serves to disconnect us from the part of Self that is the source of total WellBeing. As we continue from the feeling of separation and fear, we tend to rely mostly upon our basic human will to compete as our life's radar - which makes our sense of well being dependent on whether we win or lose.
When our feelings are dependent on how things turn out, we create conflict and dis-ease in our bodies and in the world. The more we do to gain control over people and circumstances, the more illness we create for ourselves through our attachment to outcomes, and for the world by the way we project ourselves into it.
Even if we accumulate massive wealth or achieve the highest esteem amongst our colleagues, we cannot be fulfilled until we have attained Joy that is not dependent on circumstance or accomplishment.
As we seek the emotions of proud/happy/worthy through circumstance, we are only receptive to whatever keeps us alternating between these emotions and their opposites. But when we seek the Self that is pure Joy, we begin to evolve to a level of awareness that allows our lives to flow more easily, peacefully and Joyfully.
Only our true Self knows what in the world will lead us to the peace of mind that comes from experiencing the Joy within ourselves. Everything we do with our bodies and minds is only for the material exercise through which we can find this treasure, and feeling attached to any of it can only detract from the Joyful experience we were born to create.
By shifting our focus from competition to compassion throughout our daily lives - even in business and interpersonal dealings, we gradually begin to open up to the possibilities that transcend the reasonable mind. As we expand our receptivity, we can finally experience the Joy of Being - just as we are.
While our perception of peoples' behavior and circumstance may shake that Joy temporarily, every experience leads to a deeper understanding of Self and to an expanded awareness of the Joy that is our essence.
We are neither winners nor losers, but each of us is the pure energy that creates our experience in this time-space reality. To the extent that we create Joy, we are experiencing truth - and that equals success.
