“Man is not what he thinks he is, he is what he hides.” ~ André Malraux
The art of concealment—better known as magic—has always captivated me. Years ago, I watched a friend perform a card trick that left the crowd in awe. While everyone marveled at the illusion, I felt a burning curiosity to know how it was done. Unable to resist, I went up to him and asked. Instead of revealing the secret, my friend offered a challenge: if I truly wanted to know how it was done, I would need to master a particularly difficult sleight of hand.
For weeks, I dedicated myself to the task, practicing relentlessly until my once-clumsy fingers moved with precision. When I returned and demonstrated the mastery that proved my seriousness, my friend not only shared the coveted trick but opened the door to his entire repertoire. Fueled by a genuine desire from my curious, creative core, I eventually surpassed my mentor and enjoyed a brief career as a professional magician.
This experience taught me a profound lesson about the nature of transformation. True growth isn’t found in yearning, fantasizing, or endless planning; it requires an insatiable curiosity and a willingness to confront the challenges of self-discovery and creation. We must be willing to dive headfirst into the unknown, embracing the discomfort that comes with the eustress of learning and growth.
Just as a magician’s sleight of hand deceives the eye, our own wants mislead our minds, trapping us in comforting patterns of self-hypnosis. Rather than following the spark of genuine curiosity, we chase after what we’ve been conditioned to believe will be “best” for us, becoming mesmerized like a magician’s audience. These delusions of want keep us dissatisfied, anxious, and constantly searching, obscuring our true selves and steering us toward lives drained of spirit, and filled with doubt and regret.
This realization led me to explore the deeper implications of our wants, culminating in my work on unraveling these deceptive patterns. In Unwinding Want, I delve into the various delusions of want that unconsciously shape our lives, exposing how these deceptions can mislead us even when the truth lies in plain sight. By pulling back the curtain and seeing through and unraveling these cultural constructs, you can begin to break free from the illusions that imprison your mind, create unnecessary suffering, and limit your potential.
Many spiritual traditions, particularly Buddhism, recognize suffering as a catalyst for inner reflection. However, it’s not the pain itself that leads to awareness, but rather the desire to understand and transcend it. Those who approach suffering with an intense desire to understand its nature are more likely to find true liberation. It is through this process of confronting our wants, rather than passively accepting them, that you can begin to peel back the layers of self-deception.
My aspiration now is to connect with those who have a genuine desire for awareness, those who feel a stirring in their souls to see what’s clouding their truth and corrupting the world. Like the eager apprentice I once was, driven by the desire to master the art of magic, I invite you to become the magician of your own life. The power to transform your world lies within your ability to be moved by your true wants, not the deceptive, conditioned ones that keep you stuck in dissatisfaction.
Join me on this expedition of self-discovery. Reach out, and let’s begin the process of unwinding want together.
Stay passionate!
I should have know you were a magician once Tom!! There is lots of sleight of hand in my upcoming Dark Sanctum series…or is it “sleight of ear”?