Tenrikyo-Ofudesaki - Sure Guides - Over There
I
think we all know the feeling of what it is like to think that something
that we desire can only be found somewhere other than where we currently
are. It is common to speak of searching for love, happiness, health,
wealth or peace of mind and the feeling that if I don't have this now it
must be somewhere else is to be expected. Perhaps sadly, that something is thought to be even so far away as to be
non-existent or totally
out of reach.
When we are informed that the thing that we desire is right in front of us and we still don't recognize it for what it is, that then is a case of our expectation not being met by what we are being told. That is to say that based on our expectations we had something else in mind; something that matched the already formed truths of our world.
On the plus side there is also the great feeling of discovering that we have something that we thought was lost, far away or out of reach. A nice example that I have seen many times is the necklace that was thought lost but which is discovered to be around one's own neck.
Though this path quickly leads to true satisfaction in all matters it appears difficult or false to us because it doesn't conform to our common worldly expectations. To realize what is promised requires letting go of those worldly common expectations; which is why the Services or works to prepare the mind for awakening by removing those accumulated worldly common expectations, in so doing revealing what is already present, are taught.
Though it seems to you to be unclear.
I already see a broad path ahead. You are saying
that it is over there, but it is already before you.