Spiritually enlightened and developed individuals suggest that we get rid of obstacles. By overcoming the obstacles in your life, you achieve your potential, or attain the Way.
Here is what they suggest:
- The first obstacle is the troubled feeling that comes from needing to make a living. This doesn’t mean you abandon making a living; it just means that you learn to support yourself without trouble.
- The second obstacle is the interference of influential elders or loved ones. They may have your best interest in mind, but keep in mind, that only you know what is best for yourself.
- The third obstacle is emotional entanglement with family members of friends. They can become obstacles for learning and growing towards your vision.
- The fourth obstacle is the bondage of fame and profit that prevent you from being with the Way. If you are doing something just for fame or fortune, you aren’t being honest with who you are. See definition of “autotelic“
- The fifth obstacle is having troubles, problems, and disasters that fill your life and distract you from being able to cultivate your vision.
- The sixth obstacle includes customs, improper disciplines, and conventional social demands, which make you unable to live naturally and authentically.
- The seventh obstacle is the many ideologies that try to influence you and pull you away. Don’t let those shredders make you think shredding is necessary. Don’t let those blues kings make you think you have to master 1 4 5 progressions and one note solos.
- The eighth obstacle is laziness.
- The ninth obstacle is apathy, which allows you to pass the time away, day after day, year after year, without achieving yourself.
If you are determined to record an album, book a weekly gig, or guitar tech and go on the road with touring bands, then don’t accept anything that is an obstacle. If something is unavoidable, limit its influence in your life. Don’t allow it to stunt your musical, spiritual, or intellectual growth. Look for ways to transform the obstacle into a supportive factor. Never lose site to that which matters to you most.
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11 responses so far ↓
1 Guitar Teachers // Sep 8, 2009 at 6:43 am
Nice post. I personally fall victim to #8 way more than I’d like. But I find that if I stay aware I can circumvent my procrastination habits.
2 Jean-Baptiste Collinet // Sep 10, 2009 at 9:07 am
I used to never worry,until I was diagnosed a brain tumor…#5 then?
No details.
I just wonder why we aren’t,if not taught,at least told those 9 points during our school years.
3 freddy1955 // Sep 10, 2009 at 10:52 am
I hadn’t heard of this list before. I will try to keep it in mind on a daily basis. Thanks!
4 Jeff // Sep 11, 2009 at 7:29 pm
You’re welcome!
Yeah falling to laziness is definitely the easiest one to fall victim to.
5 Greg // Sep 14, 2009 at 1:28 pm
I was wondering whether anyone had any creative ideas on how to go about staying from these obstacles?
6 Jean-Baptiste Collinet // Sep 14, 2009 at 6:05 pm
First of my ideas is to change your social environment to avoid routines that get you in a rut.Do it as much as needed if you still feel like stagnating.
Second: DARE…dare say ‘NO’ even to your loved ones.A ‘no’ isn’t offending as far as there’s an understandable reason to it.
Third: don’t be afraid to be picky with new people you may meet(musicians or others).They might pull you aside from the Way really quickly.
Well,just a few ideas.Perhaps not worth much,but they work for me so far.
7 jimmy mac // Sep 16, 2009 at 1:48 pm
This is Tony Robbens stuff 101- without the weight problem or credit card debt – Oy
l’ shana tova
-j
8 sarge1875 // Sep 18, 2009 at 2:56 pm
#7…hits it on the head.
9 Kyle // Oct 12, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Excellent, excellent post! Everyone has the right to live their dream and they shouldn’t let ANYTHING stop them
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11 DJ Megha // May 20, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Really very nice and informative post. Thanks for sharing it with us. Looking forward for some more interesting posts from your end. Cheers!!!
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