Can those who seek Truth identify with the below quote?

Question

In the eating hall, a stuffed parrot hung from the ceiling, and from its golden beak dangled a card that read, "We are in training to be nobody special." I had often repeated this to myself, working against my need for achievement and recognition, and the discontent that could engender. "I am in training to be nobody special." Saying the words in my mind, I felt how they redirected me from a certain seductive struggle and excitement and disease, into a more stable focus: forget what others think of you, forget the future goal of achievement; arrive instead in this body/mind, attending to this present moment. This is is the whole of practice.

-Sandy Boucher, "Hidden Spring"

Peace and Love

Answer 1

I think that there is some wisdom in that story, particularly in the line about "working against my need for achievement and recognition".

At the same time, I'm bothered by the phrase "those who seek Truth" in the question itself. In general when people write the word truth with a capital "T", it's a sign that you're about to hear a dogmatic clinging to some simplistic worldview that the person has decided is a deep one. I would be more impressed with this question if the question itself had directly addressed the point of the quote, instead of trying to suggest some deeper "Truth".

(Later: )

Wow. In a great irony, this question-asker is desperately trying to convince me in private emails that he is someone special.

Lesson: If you want people to think that you have insight, you have to demonstrate insight. No-one is going to believe that you're insightful just because you claim to be insightful.

Again, capitalizing the "T" in "Truth" is wasted effort: you've just simply got to make the disciplined effort to demonstrate wisdom if you want to be thought of as wise. There are no shortcuts.

Answer 2

"The seductive struggle"...I love that and I can completely identify. Searching for recognition, achievement, or material gain keeps us mired in a "have and have not" mentality. I totally agree,it is a dis-ease. We are bombarded daily with images and messages of the things we should want and want to be. It is a prison for the mind and makes the present moment only important in that we can remember the achievements of the past and look to the things we will have in the future. All the while, precious time is racing away from us and our spirit is starving. When we are wrapped up in ourselves, our possessions, our goals we also forget our fellow man. We speak through the dis-ease and believe that those who do not have what we have are jealous, they aren't as good as us and so on. The dis-ease also tells us that those who have more than us (in any area) are better than us and that we need to strive even more. All of life is cyclic, however not all cycles are good.

An achievement based life is a drain on mental resources and energy; not to mention that it is empty. However, it is a terrible struggle to live otherwise in a society that rewards those who strive for achievement, materialism and recognition. It takes a great amount of awareness and conscious choices to escape.

Answer 3

Digilook,

Hi again. The training part is very accurate. The Nobody Special part, is backwards. While it is true, that the human ego is the biggest hindrance in the pursuit of "Truth", our destiny is anything but insignificant. In this world, all that we achieve in our ego directed efforts to glean recognition and admiration, will turn to ashes. When we have found, and entered the path that leads to Life, we are en route to a glory unseen by mortals. The person of least status in the Kingdom of God, is greater that the greatest mortal who has ever walked the earth. They have received God's Spirit into their hearts, and are no longer bound by the chains of materialism, and ego-centric living. They have become of great value to others, and will never cause harm or pain again. They are, in a word, Priceless. They are also, unerringly humble.

Answer 4

Not particularly. I see this life as a learning experience. You can't learn if you don't attempt to acheive, however I'm not interested in recognition. I do believe the truth is now, so attending this present moment is good.

Answer 5

Sounds like a good theory to me: I put it into practice long ago when I realized there is a greater need in the world than mine........peace & love

Answer 6

Try this one from the Kasidah Part IV: Faith is false; faith is true: Truth is the shattered mirror, strewn in myriad bits, while each believes their tiny piece the whole to own.

Answer 7

No, we are each created unique and special by God who has given each of us a purpose in this life.

Answer 8

?

Answer 9

whatever.............