Life changes when we change our perspective. I discovered that when I transitioned from being a Finder vs. Seeker, things began to shift.
This concept was introduced to me by Dawson Church’s article, From Seeker to Finder, published in the Unity Spirituality & Health Magazine.
Dawson describes this process in the following quote: “The term ‘Finder’ refers to crossing the boundary from being a ‘Seeker’ of truth to being a Finder.”
A subtle difference in perspective can change the direction of your response to certain situations!
I, and perhaps you, have spent a significant part of my life as a Seeker. I have been seeking the truth, answers, and direction for my life. But seeking does not change or shift my perspective. Realizing that I can find the truth, the answers, and the direction for my life can change how I respond to life’s challenges.
Dawson’s friend, Jeffery Martin, found (after hundreds of interviews) that there are commonalities among Finders.
- A sense that everything is fundamentally okay
- A reduction in self-absorbed mind chatter
- Centering in the present moment
- Little interest in the stale old stories told by others and their own minds
- A shift in negative emotions; while they still arise, they are transient
- A sensnce of connection between inner expeience and the greater reality
- Reduced attachment to previous goals and outcomes.
Sounds easy and straightforward, right!?
Unfortunately, I have been guilty of doing the opposite of the seven points above more than I want to admit.
One of the worst ones, for me, is #2: Listening to the self-absorbed mind chatter. I notice that when I fall into that trap, I tend to view things in a negative light, which takes me out of the present moment and robs me of my peace of mind.
I know, from experience, that each time I resist going down that rabbit hole, I am stronger to resist it the next time! This concept is true for most people dealing with addictions. Once they walk away from that first drink (or drug, or food, or …. you get the idea), it is easy to walk away the next time they are tempted.
But, you may say, this is not really an addiction! Or is it? Just because it is not a substance, it is, in my opinion, still an addiction. We can easily become a victim of our own bad thinking.
So I have begun a practice of remembering and applying the seven steps above. I am no longer a Seeker, but a Finder. How about you? Are you a Finder vs. Seeker, and how does that affect your life?