One of the challenges of life is to know when to move forward through an active initiative, and when to be passive and hold back. One interesting phenomenon is that when we restrain ourselves and not initiate, we can attract just as great or greater results than when we actively initiate, as life responds to our restraint. Here is an example:
Recently I have been working on several projects involving the construction of online expert systems for personal growth. One involves romance, another sales, a third, personal growth. It is the culmination of many years of research into the subtle workings of life by the multi-dimensional, spiritual genius Sri Karmayogi. In the early days of developing one particular system, I had taken the active, physical initiative to read a book that contained highly relevant information on the subject. A second stage was to organize all my underlines, highlights, and notes so that this content could be used as the project moved forward. However, rather than take the outer, physical initiative, I decided to restrain myself and hold back. At that time, I sensed that by withholding active participation, I might attract positive benefit.
Well just after making this decision, I received a note from the lead content developer in which he asked me to forward the name of the book so that he could study it for work on the system. In other words, because I held back from further action, my associate came forward and essentially took up the very work I intended to do myself! That is the life response power of restraint and withholding action on life.
Normally, we believe that taking an action creates results. Of course, there is great truth to that approach. However, there is also a subtle knowledge that non-action can also attract great benefit, if applied at the right moment and situation. Knowing the difference is to have developed a subtle sense and a keen awareness of the flow of life.
There is actually a spiritual principle behind this inner method of drawing success from life. Those who have come to spirit have recognized certain common experiences that indicate this higher consciousness at work -- including insight and Wisdom; a feeling of Oneness with others and the world; a dynamic, Creative urge; an inner swelling and feeling of Love; the experience of utter Delight, and others. And behind these spiritual movements is the non-movement of Silent Witness.
A universe of visible and invisible forms and forces took shape from a timeless, spaceless Being. And yet behind this unfolding movement there is a Stability and Silence that stands back and observes Its creation. This Stability and Silence is in fact the source of that which is created. In addition, at any point, the Being decides whether to bring about progress in creation through action or inaction.
Well, it turns out that this same attribute and power is available to us. Through a poise of stillness, we scan and observe the world, becoming a silent witness to life’s current conditions. From there, we can determine whether it is best to physically act or to hold back. Whichever way we choose, we will gain the cooperation of life, and good fortune will be our constant companion.