Outcome is Certain
I recently had a session of my year-end performance appraisal with my current manager, and I shared a moment from it with my former manager. When my current manager inquired about my three-year career outlook and aspirations, there was a playful impulse to jokingly mention aspiring to be in his position as a CEO. Of course, I refrained from making such a remark. Interestingly, my former manager, pointed out that I do not recognize my potential. I have heard this from him on several occasions but this time, it hits me in a different way.
In the past, I would perceive potential in relation to my capacity to take on that role. Instinctively, I would convince myself that it was impossible, as I believed I lacked the leadership qualities – patience, objective perspective, and the ability to articulate thoughts with clarity for different sets of audiences, qualities embodied by my CEO, an individual who I hold in high regard. I had the meaning that potential, though possibly inherent, necessitates deliberate harnessing before it becomes evident. Yet, there was no certainty surrounding the outcome, viewing potential more as a possibility with varying degrees of probability.
At that moment, it became clear to me that potential was not confined by our capabilities. It stands independently, unaffected by whether we actively cultivate our skill sets. Success is not a byproduct of our actions; rather the *certainty* of the outcome manifests itself in our actions. Understanding this potential requires a paradigm shift in the way we view ourselves and the world, recognizing that how we have been operating is, in essence, upside-down. The upside-down viewpoint that I am expressing here does not imply the thought that I lack certain qualities; rather, believing that I have the capacity to think, to begin with, irrespective of the nature of those thoughts. From a reality standpoint, whether I perceive myself as proficient or identify areas for improvement holds the same weight. Both are inherently limited, reflecting the nature of the mind’s setup, believing that I am in control. It is when I am not constrained by any fixed viewpoints that true potential unfolds. Worries, concerns, and anxiety gracefully fade away, unbound by any shackles of limitations.
What I once considered my future, has already unfolded. One doesn’t need to reach the future only to know it because it has already occurred. This occurrence does not hinge on whether I hold the role of a CEO or not, which is beside the essential point; rather, the outcome is already certain. It is this certainty in the outcome that manifests itself in the process of cultivating mind qualities and skills. Contrary to viewing potential as present support for future outcomes, this cause-and-effect relationship is already taking place now. This principle remains true in our spiritual journey – are we actively cultivating virtues in the pursuit of perfection, or does perfection naturally manifest through the process of cultivation itself?
By keeping in mind that the outcome is certain in reality, as we navigate the intricacies of the mind, we develop a deeper respect for the situations we encounter. Recognizing that there is no inherent reason for these situations to be any different, we understand that the path to resolution is not found in the external world (or the internal world); instead, lies within the mind itself - in *how* the mind chooses to view the world. Regaining our senses involves returning to the realm of the mind. At WISE, our community of practitioners warmly invites you to embark on this exhilarating journey of self-discovery. Prepare to be amazed by the profound experiences that await you.
In grace,
Lee Hung Leng
13 Feb 2024