Unexpected Freedom

What is Renunciation?gratification of sensual desires. So frustrating desire is notsomething for a few weirdos or perverts who live inmonasteries because they don’t know how to enjoy life.Renunciation is a way of actually learning how to tap intoour deep inner well of energy.When people ask me about renunciation, I encouragethem to investigate for themselves and not merely acceptunexamined opinions from others – including me and myopinions. Try it out and see. If you’re struggling inwardlywith something that is difficult – like sadness, for example –and you find it hard to let go, notice the characteristic of thestruggle. You feel that you want to let go but you can’t. Youask yourself, ‘What is this holding on that I am doing? Whatis all this extra baggage that I am carrying?’ A lot of it isjust habit that comes through not really taking the time toget to know desire as it really is, as a movement in ourminds. We too readily assume that we must take sides for oragainst our desires without first inquiring into their reality.Desire is not the way it appears to be. We can ask ourselves,‘Do I want to live according to the patterns of desire withwhich I have become conditioned and limited? Or do I wantto live in a state of freedom by maintaining here-and-nowjudgment-free awareness?’ I never cease to find this aninspiring contemplation. Renunciation, like desire, is notwhat it might first seem. Skilfully going against our desires isnot going to make us less happy!Please don’t think that this practice is especially difficultor only for a few individuals. We all need to know how to liveconsciously with the authority to follow that which ourheart tells us is true. We are all potentially able to direct ourattention towards what we personally feel really matters. Wedo not, as it might appear, have to be intimidated by otherpeople’s persuasion. If in our own experience we recognise127