Moving Towards the North Star of Life

"Even though I’m working hard towards my goals, I feel mentally exhausted." "I find myself comparing myself to others and getting anxious." "I know what I should do, but I can't take action." Have you ever experienced such worries? In fact, the most important aspect of achieving your goals is not skill but rather the "capacity to clearly accept the current reality."

I am convinced that the approach of "sonomama" (as-it-is-ness), based on Zen teachings, is an essential foundation for modern individuals to achieve their goals. At first glance, "sonomama" may sound like it means doing nothing, which might seem contradictory. However, goal achievement begins with "seeing the current situation as it is." This teaching involves practicing acceptance of your circumstances and emotions without labeling them as "good" or "bad," merely accepting them as facts. By acquiring this ability, you can avoid being swayed by unnecessary worries and emotions, leading to an astonishingly clear mind. You will be able to visualize your aspirations arising from within rather than relying on external additions, and your actions will become lighter and sharper.

We live in an era where everyone has access to vast amounts of information, yet this also leads to an overwhelming increase in informational "noise," causing our true visions of what we really want to do to become blurred or leading to stagnation due to anxiety.

That’s why we should utilize the power of acceptance to seek out the vision we truly desire.

Finding Your "North Star"

Let’s allow the noise of others’ successes and evaluations on social media to flow past us "as it is." By accepting our own feelings of anxiety and comparison "as they are," the false goals implanted from outside will naturally peel away. What remains is the pure passion that wells up from within: "I want to be this way," "I want to do this." This becomes your unique "North Star" that guides you. Once you see the North Star, all that’s left is to move towards it.

It’s okay to feel anxious. That’s why you can act in the shortest way possible.

Instead of thinking, "I’ll act when my anxiety is gone," adopting the mindset of "I have anxiety, but I will proceed as I am" lowers the barrier to action. By not having to battle against your current self, you can concentrate all your energy on "what needs to be done right now." This "detachment from results" will genuinely guide you along the shortest path. Progress with the attitude of "I’ll do what I need to do, and the rest is not my concern."

Transforming Effort from "Suffering" to "Joy"

The mindset of "I’ll endure now for the sake of achieving something later" does not fulfill the heart. However, by accepting the "present moment" in which you are moving towards your vision, the process itself transforms into joy. You can continue to challenge yourself with excitement, unafraid of failure.

Let’s Start Living Clearly

By incorporating Zen teachings into our daily lives, we can clear our minds and open the path to realizing our dreams. How about starting with small steps today? Accept yourself as you are, reduce the noise in your mind, and move lightly towards your true goals.

Words and Photo by K E I K O