Whenever we talk about goals, one question inevitably rises: what if you are not reaching them? Say, you have a noble goal, and your mind is all set on it, but, in spite of all the effort, you’re not getting anywhere.
What is it you are doing wrong?
The interesting thing is that you are doing exactly what most people do, so in a way you doing the right thing. Since the goal is your object of affection, i.e. it is what you would love to get, you selfishly pursue the result. It is as if you are saying to your goal: ‘How darest thou not fall to my feet?! Look at me: am I not thy worthy conqueror?!‘
I must admit that the above and how I would go about explaining it is influenced by reading of Erich Fromm’s The Art of Loving
With goals it will never work. In Daoist terms, a goal is a part of Dao. Dao means “path”, “reason”, or “development”. In this sense, every goal is the reason for developing along the path; or the reason for, and the path to, development; or the development of one’s reason to follow the path. Goals are part of your vision; vision is your Dao.
The only way to subdue your vision is to not follow it; however, if you are following it, then your vision navigates you. Again, I see here a possibility for a Daoist interpretation: you are not actively pursuing the realisation of your vision, but you produce the work that ultimately brings your vision to life. From the point of an activist, you are not doing anything. But from the point of Dao, you are.
So, next time you get stuck on your way of achieving the goals, first see if you are still passionate about them, and if they are manageable. If the answer is yes to both questions, ask yourself if perhaps you are a bit too passionate. Maybe it is worthwhile to take a step back and to contemplate your path as a philosopher, with sobriety and deattachment.
The image is courtesy of The Daoist Studies website.