One definition of insanity is ‘extreme foolishness or irrationality’. It’s amazing how we can perform insane acts in our daily lives without even realizing it.
For instance, have you ever held a belief that caused you pain and yet you wouldn’t let go of it? That’s irrational — for if we create our beliefs, why wouldn’t we change any that are no longer serving us, and stop the pain? And yet, so many of us don’t.
In most cases, the reason we don’t is because we are under the illusion that we ARE acting rationally. And yet, if we stopped and really paid attention to the pain, we’d probably conclude that it’s insane to keep feeling pain from something that is changeable.
The good news is that there is an instant cure for insanity. And once we cure the insane thinking, then it’s only a matter of time until we resolve all of the issues created from that insane way of being/living.
I can’t take any credit for the cure though — for it is Eckhart Tolle who has brought it to our attention (at least most recently). He states, “That in you which recognizes madness as madness (even if it is your own) is sanity, is the arising awareness, is the end of insanity.”
That’s it — it’s really that simple! Once you recognize and can clearly see the insanity (externally in the world, and internally in your own mind/thinking), you are immediately sane. And you will remain sane as long as you continue to see the insanity clearly.
This ties in to my discussion of awareness and living consciously — when you are conscious and aware of your actions/choices/words, you can’t help but act in accordance with your higher nature. It’s not possible to remain aware and continue to act in opposition to your best interests!
It also fits nicely with the concept of ‘change yourself and change the world’ — because when you WAKE UP to the insanity, you cannot continue to live that way. And as each of us wakes up, we affect the collective consciousness, until at some magical tipping point (the 100th monkey theory), the entire human race becomes awake, aware, conscious, and sane. How cool is that?!
So how can you begin? Great question…and the answer is straightforward. Start right where you are. Begin to look at life (the world around you and/or how you perceive it) a little differently — look for the insanity (the irrational, the illogical).
When you spot it, spend some time noticing it (how you’ve accepted it up till now, what stories you’ve made up to support the madness of it, etc.). Then stay awake and aware to the insanity of that particular aspect of life.
There’s no need to identify all the insanity right away — that will come in good time. At first, just focus on one aspect of madness: keep observing and noticing it while you stay aware and clear as to its true nature (insanity).
Then watch to see how your thoughts and actions change when you stay in this state of consciousness and awareness. You may be surprised at the shifts that begin to happen…
That’s all there is to ‘going sane’. Try this out in your life and let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear what insanity you discovered and how your life shifted as a result.
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