“This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph. Adventure. Heh. Excitement. Heh. A Jedi craves not these things. You are reckless” Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back
It’s hard to say what is so intriguing and at the same time scary about the future. Yet, we often times are captivated by the possibilities, good or bad. Considering the time that is not now, but has not yet happened is often an activity which is significantly impacted by our current state of mind.
The future can be full of possibility if we are happy, excited, encouraged about the present, or if we are so disgusted by the present that we cling to the hope of a better tomorrow.
The future can be full of anxiety and fear if we allow ourselves to be consumed by the unknown threats that lurk in the shadows of tomorrow. Unseen expenses, medical problems, war, taxes, death, the end of the world, etc. – can and do plague our notions of the future from time to time.
But another wizened figure from my childhood echoed Yoda’s warning to look in a much more direct and practical way. When one of my siblings, cousins, or I would get worked up about something and really worry, my sainted Irish Grandma used to tell us, “don’t borrow trouble.” Simple as that.
- Don’t worry about failing your math test—just study hard, get a good nights sleep, and do your best, or
- Don’t worry about if the girl you like will marry you – ask her out and see how it goes from there, or
- Don’t worry about … well you get the point.
Grandma and Yoda would both agree that preparing for the future is a great idea. Save your money, do your Jedi exercise, eat right, study hard…but don’t let projections of a future that is uncertain dominate your entire world view. If you do that, you’ll miss the life that you’re so worried will be harmed by that big bad nasty old future threat.
I guess when it’s all said and done it really comes down to another marker on the path to finding balance. And we must remember that life and the quest for balance are a path—which must be traveled. In life we must remain vigilant for like the servants who do not know when the master will return…neither do we know when a significant opportunity in life or a realization of balance will occur.
De Mello has a teaches this very idea in the following parable:
“Is there anything I can do to make myself Enlightened?” asked the disciple.
“As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the morning,” answered the master.
“Then of what use are the spiritual exercises you prescribe?”
“To make sure you are not asleep when the sun begins to rise.”
– Anthony de Mello, S.J.
Similarly, de Mello speaks of remaining present in the moment. He writes:
“Where shall I look for Enlightenment?” the disciple asked.
“Here,” answered the master.
“When will it happen?”
“It is happening right now.”
“Then why don't I experience it?”
“Because you do not look.”
“What should I look for?”
“Nothing. Just look.”
“At what?”
“Anything your eyes alight upon.”
“Must I look in a special kind of way?”
“No. The ordinary way will do.”
“But don’t I always look the ordinary way?”
“No.”
“Why ever not?”
“Because to look you must be here. You’re mostly somewhere else.”
– Anthony de Mello, S.J.
Safe travels.
