306. Finding The Root

To fully solve a problem, you first have to get to the root of it. The root is the source of the harm that is being caused and so it is the root that must be found and changed for the problem to be eliminated.

Once you start looking, you might find something that looks like the root, but also appears unalterable. You cannot see how this thing could be changed to be anything other than it already is. You might then investigate further, only to discover that it is not only solid, but also appears permanent or necessary.

This is a sign that you haven’t found the root, but rather another symptom of the problem. The actual root lies elsewhere — it is something that you haven’t seen yet. It’s possible that you cannot see it, because it exists outside the range of your current awareness. It might be something you take for granted, something that looks entirely obvious or factual, when it is really a contingent truth in disguise.

To find the actual root of the problem, you must first overcome the deficit of awareness. You must allow your investigation of the problem to become broader and deeper than before. This means you’ll need to let go of the false root you found earlier. If your attention remains focused there, it will continue to circle the false root, confirming its necessity and permanence, until you fall into hopelessness and give up.

When you see the actual root of the problem, the solution will be obvious to you. This doesn’t mean it will be easy, but you will know what you must do and feel motivated to do it. The problem will no longer seem permanent or unchangeable — it will instead look like something you can begin to fix right away.

You’ll start taking action because your new awareness has shown you the necessity of doing so. You’ll want to solve the problem for yourself and others with a new intensity and a new hope. It is through openness to alternatives and relentless questioning of everything that seems fixed that you can discover creative solutions even to those problems that seem completely impossible to solve.