Heck, there is even a profession for “clutter-busters”, helping people let go of trash. (laughs) On the other hand, I’ve noticed that physical clutter can often be an outer expression of emotional clutter. (for those who are just natural slobs, note I said often (laughs))

You might have also noticed, many people feel they need permission in order to undertake their search. Maybe not “permission,” but they look for the teaching that most closely holds true to what they already believe. Then someone comes along and says, “You don’t need any of that,” and they fight every step of the way in order to keep what they already have.

Perhaps it can be reduced to letting go of whatever it is they feel they need.

This is also one of the surprises of awakening. It never has anything to do with our ideas of it. And we turn out to have nothing to do with our ideas of who we are either. Ideas = mind, not self.

I know many people who hold enlightenment as their highest goal. Often, they cannot be convinced this is a barrier to it. It’s very curious.