Hassles – Spiritual Hazards?!
Have you ever experienced spontaneously reaching out to help but was deterred by a thought of inconvenience? Have you noticed how often our good intentions are derailed by the fear of hassles?
Perhaps we know these thoughts of hassle and inconvenience do limit our potentials but we do not realize the extent of this seemingly insignificant menace.
Lai Fun was the first person to bring to my attention the seemingly inconspicuous but significant concept of hassles. She explained how these small, everyday annoyances often go unnoticed but can have a profound impact on our mental well-being.
I couldn't help but agree with her observation. Subsequently, I started to pay closer attention to the various forms in which "hassles" manifested in my life. It was eye-opening to realize just how frequently I experienced these minor stressors. I had been oblivious to the fact that my mind was constantly under some level of stress.
These hassles revealed themselves through casual utterances like "leceh!" and through the unspoken sighs of exasperation. They even emerged as sudden, sharp intakes of breath. At times, they were nothing more than internal curses muttered under my breath. What was common among all these expressions was that they surfaced in moments of dread or inconvenience, as if life itself had been inconvenienced.
The regular occurrence of these hassles, no matter how small, had a significant impact on my mental state. They created a constant undercurrent of stress, making me more irritable and less able to cope with life's challenges. What’s even more concerning is that they prevented me from addressing crucial matters. The dismissal of these hassles was so automatic that I often turned away from important issues, even in situations where I could have helped.
It is upon the mindfulness cultivation that I began noticing how counterproductive it was to avoid inconvenience. This habit obstructed awareness and prevented me from facing what had arisen. It's like perpetually running from the unpleasant. Recognizing the presence of hassles is the first step in managing them. Developing the ability not to take them personally allows the understanding of the underlying causes of internal conflicts. For example, we may want to help, but past unpleasant experiences can trigger fear. Without understanding this, we may dismiss the whole incident as a reluctance to endure hassle.
These small, often overlooked irritations have the power to affect us more than we realize. If we’re able to observe consistently, it is these that build up into self-judgments and guilt. By acknowledging and addressing these hassles, we gain a deeper understanding of our mental traits and become less prone to quick accusations, whether directed at ourselves or others. This leads to fewer mental conflicts.
If you are interested to understand the true causes of mental stress and wish to cultivate the skills of seeing beyond, do join me in this most enlightening journey.
In grace,
Nancy Cheah
7 Nov 2023