Hello my friend,

If every problem we have stems from the same cause, then by rooting out that cause we can solve all our problems. But is it really that simple? Could it really be that easy?

Actually, it is. Problems do not exist in the world. They exist in our minds. We have desires, and when the undesirable happens, we label that as a problem. 

Conflict is a problem because we don’t want conflicts. And all problems stem from conflict. Either conflict with ourself, conflict with others, or conflict with reality.

While there are seemingly many reasons for our problems — loss, pain, disappointment, injustice, mistakes, cruelty, etc… — we have the power to end all problems when we learn to drop the conflict.

In any relationship, just one person can end a conflict. We can drop it, let it go, and accept it. Or we can walk away. But either way, the cessation of conflict lies with us. We always have the power to change ourself.

We can still persuade. We can still effect change in others, in society, and in our own life. But we don’t do it through battle, through anger and hatred. We do it through love, which is far more effective.

All of us have at the root of our conflict unconscious and unhealed trauma, pain and rage. To end all the problems we have in our life, we have to rip out this weed from the roots so that it never grows back. 

Only the mind that creates problems and only the mind can solve them. We have to go directly to the source, not the jerk at work. With the clarity we gain from freeing our mind from conflict, then we will know exactly how to respond wisely to life’s circumstances.

To gain that clarity, here’s a simple 3-step solution:

1. Observe conflict-creating thoughts nonjudgmentally, without reacting to them. Just watch them like you’re tuning into a radio show.
   
   
2. Give yourself time for reflection, contemplation, and self-inquiry. Create the space in your life that can create some space in your mind.
   
   
3. Allow the thoughts to be exactly as they are. Don’t fight them. That only adds more conflict. Accept them. Not the mistreatment, just your thoughts. Ending the conflict within ends all conflict. Then, other people are just people doing what they do and it’s no bother what happens. It takes two for conflict, including the conflict between your true self and your ego. So drop the fight within.

That’s it. We can all stop carrying the past into this moment. We can practice letting go of the last moment just as fast as we welcome the next one. All problems happened in the past and we are the ones who can stop giving them life in the present. This moment is just neutral activity happening. Whatever happens is like pixels on a computer screen — always changing and relatively not that important. 

All we have to do is end the battle within so we can get to the wise work building the life that’s right for us.

Much love,

Todd