Change

From Alan Watts . . .

Now if the change is to happen in the same way that a seed, at proper season, breaks open and sends up a chute, it comes from the whole force of life itself. Now, when you see that without your having to do anything, see, you are living the uncalculated life and you're only pretending you're calculating it and arranging it. Then, as it were, you will have a grasp of the total situation and it will you can allow it to produce changes in action which are not forced.

So this is why there is always a trend in every kind of spiritual doctrine, which says something about grace, divine grace. There must come about something in you, a change, which you can't produce and if you try to produce it you will be a victim of spiritual pride.

But, on the other hand all teachers are universally saying you've got to make an effort. There is some discipline;  there is some something you must do. Well that's the only way to get it across to people. That you as a separate effort maker are a myth, a phantasm. Because if you really try to control your mind and only think the thoughts that you think of good thoughts to think, you will find that you're going round in a circle ...