Redefining Clarity
by Anna Velychko
Do you remember the time when you sought clarity concerning your career, the relationships, and your life path in general? Viveka from Sanskrit means engaging with the world. The engagement is impossible unless we are continuously exploring our selves and our relationships with the world. Simultaneously we are redefining clarity, which would, hopefully, allow us to engage with others in a more authentic way. That never-ceasing inner and outer exploration is like a river of Grace – the river that leads to the Sea.
The Sea could be seen as the ultimate truth – a state of being in which our decisions make sense and feel authentic. The Grace could be understood as our life that is so enriched with the variability of choices. Something to be mindful of is that our desires drive our choices that define the quality of our lives. Desires could stir us one way or the other, so this is our task to be more conscientious of where our heart is.
The clarity could come only if the heart is open and not influenced by the desires. Then we can truly hear our inner voice to uncover clarity. If you are trying to attain some clarity to make a decision, first, connect to your heart and notice if there is any sense of doubt. If there is a doubt – do not do it; at least, try not to rush to make a decision. Instead, check your level of commitment and faith expression in whatever task or decision you are contemplating about.
If the doubt is an ever-present friend of yours – do not worry – there is something else you can try. The second aspect of redefining clarity is acceptance. Acceptance of the truth is that you are feeling uncertain at this moment. When we try to make a decision we want to get rid of the uncertainty. Paradoxically, by wanting the uncertainty to go away, we attract it even more. Instead, we want to embrace and accept amazingly doubtful condition that we in right now.
The acceptance implies humility that we have a little control over some aspects of our life. The river of Grace would inevitability take us to the Sea; all we need to do is to embrace and accept the natural flow. With acceptance, the clarity will follow.
Third, think of clarity as something that comes in low current. Imagine being on a boat… What do you think will more likely bring serenity and clarity to your mind – the overpowering storm-like waves (i.e., “not-knowing”) that fluctuate with complete stillness (i.e., “knowing”), or consistent, calm waves that take you on the ride? Maybe our definition of clarity or knowing is something that simply needs to be revisited and redefined? Perhaps, the clarity could be understood as the ever-unfolding process of self-discovery that never ceases to exist until we reach the final destination – the Sea.