I just finished reading The Journey Woman. It is a blog by a very special teacher. Many years ago she conducted a workshop "Writing to Heal" and over the course of several weeks I came to connect a repressed case of post traumatic stress disorder. Was very glad to read that she had a lovely experience of manifesting something that she desired. Her delight was reduced by feeling let down by the easy victory. It's as if you had to struggle to achieve anything worthwhile. This in turn brought back memories of reading Stuart Wilde's "Life Was Never Meant to be a Struggle".

We are programmed to believe that to struggle is noble. That struggle builds character. Our fascination with sports and people overcoming adversity further reinforces that all good things come to those who struggle long and hard. I have come to realise that this is only part of the method. To struggle without learning is madness. The mere idea of evolution is to try random things, observe what works and then iterate towards ever more optimal solutions through intelligent trail and error.

Returning to my former teacher's experience (and I too have many just like it) the challenge actually lies in whether we have been paying sufficient attention to discern what our thought processes were leading up to the moment of manifestation. In Buddhism, there is a concept of mindfulness, the ability to be the silent witness to everything we say, do and ... THINK. Our thoughts directly impact upon our circumstances. That is not to ignore the fact that many other factors are also make their mark. We are in effect existing in a state of cybernetic chaos. Our will and those six billion others plus the weather and cosmic influences - all in an inconceivably complex dance. Like fractal images, the complexity is ever more fascinating and endlessly complex at whatever level we may wish to view it.

If you have every blurted out something, only to regret it the very instant you said it, then you know what it's like to be "The Witness". Maybe the answer is not wince at such memories but to learn to be more mindful and appreciative of beauty and everything that hums around us. I'm certainly going to try. I'd like to fly first class too.