Agony and Ecstasy

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subsequently, in conditioning rather than in causing. According to
its character, it brings the mind in a reeling state, like the swaying
of a moving cart. In its unsteadiness leading to distraction, it stands
opposed to mindfulness (sati).
It is the typical mental disease of our modern times, the excitement
of expectation followed by the depression of disappointment
and the worry of failure. Even scientific research-work is labouring
under this disease. In our modern research institutes there is
an overstrained tension resulting from the deception that something
new must be brought to the scientific market, and from fear of being
anticipated by somebody else. This double tension must create a
nervous pressure which will make the work suffer. It is that spirit
of agitation and flurry which has introduced comparative examinations,
where it is not enough to be good, where one has to be
better than others. It is the spirit of competition in sports as well
as in industry and commerce. It is the spirit to out-do, to out-run,
to out-match another, which makes the work unskilful (akusala),
where a well-balanced even-mindedness would only regard the work
done, and would be content to out-grow all competition in evolving
naturally and intelligently.
Agitation is not a sign of spiritual fervour and zeal; it is not
even an indication of a striving mind, but only betrays the presence
of an emotional condition influencing the mind in its eagerness to
produce results. Here again, the end in view dominates the action,
the need of which is neither understood nor considered. It is the
restlessness of a mind in search of an ideal. As long as the mind is
searching, it obviously knows no rest, no peace. Lack of stability
and security make the mind search for an escape in which to find
rest and peace. Not knowing what peace is, except from descriptions
in books which speak of peace at the end of war, the search is then
just an escape from the agitation and turmoil in which the mind
finds itself, when comparing its state with those remembered and
desired. As Christians look forward to the second coming of Christ