Search for Something New

Search for the "new" seems to very prevalent in our society today. People get tired of seeing or doing the "same ol' thing". We want a certain challenge, a certain surprise, a certain appeal of renewal in everything we do. Why is this so? Why is it that when we take a vacation, everything in that city seems exotic and even the most trivial activities are interesting while the locals rarely enjoy that atmosphere?

In hiding from our insecurities we have come to need an artificial rejuvenation from our environment. When we perform an action for the first time, we are thrilled by its uniqueness but as we get used to it, that charm starts to vanish. The act loses it's refreshing quality and we are forced to spice it up with some conflicts, disturbances, challenges, pleasures ... just about anything so that we don't lose our interest. And sure enough, it isn't hard to find people who say, "What good is life without any struggle, without any challenges?" But a life with struggle and conflict will only keep the mind preoccupied, unaware of its underlying causes.

We lose interest in activities when we act out of habit. When we meditate, we realize our habits and take a step forward in being revitalized with a unique "newness"; instead of stumbling around for something interesting and fun, we would be rid of our habits and live with a spontaneous, renewing joy.