I thought that I wanted to go on retreat, but now I don't. W e often get caught on the personality level. It's not just a matter of doing something because it's a good thing to do, there are lots of other good things we could be doing.
Renunciation is painful, it's disagreeable.
We're not going to do it unless we've got some perspective on it. I t's wisdom that encourages us to make a gesture of renunciation. The heart recognises a need to understand this foreign body that's operating in our psyche, gobbling up all our energy. We want to see that taking place so that we can actually see through it and not be fooled by it. W hen there's a moment of pleasure, we want to be able to see that as simple pleasure.