This song began when I laughed out loud at a quote I found in a book I dropped while packing things for moving out of the cabin I've lived in for 25 years. I had been in a rather hurried/harried "end gaining" state of mind, and when I read Ramana Maharrshi saying that the search for peace outside ourselves is: "an impossible quest, and causes all this trouble," it seemed completely hilarious to me. All my trouble, and all the world's troubles, come from that one trick of the ego's misdirection. The spell was broken and I started to sing: "It is an impossible quest, that causes all this trouble. All this trouble, it causes all this trouble." The melody, someone in my chorus said, sounds a bit Disney, and I totally agree. A goofy little tune that came out of the humor of that moment.
Here's the entire Ramana quote that became the lyrics to the song:
Here's the entire Ramana quote that became the lyrics to the song:
”For health is our nature. Likewise peace is our nature.
Indeed, we are peace. Forgetting that,
we seek peace from external sources.
It is an impossible quest, and causes all this trouble.
The moment you withdraw your mind
from external objects and turn inwards,
you taste real peace and feel happy.”
Ramana Maharshi
Indeed, we are peace. Forgetting that,
we seek peace from external sources.
It is an impossible quest, and causes all this trouble.
The moment you withdraw your mind
from external objects and turn inwards,
you taste real peace and feel happy.”
Ramana Maharshi
I continued singing the song while packing and carrying things. I was just carrying boxes of books, and they were getting into my car somehow. I was with myself along the way, enjoying the strength to carry boxes of books and laughing at the succinct way in which Ramana had cut through my pushing and brought me to a "chop wood, carry water" state of not trying to get anywhere. Like dancing with boxes of books, with quietness inside and all around me.
Impossible Quest
© K Hannan
It is an impossible quest
and causes all this trouble
All this trouble
It causes all this trouble
For health is our nature
Likewise peace is our nature
Indeed we are peace
Indeed we are peace
Indeed we are peace
Indeed we are peace
Indeed we are peace
Indeed I am peace
Stop the search
Indeed you are peace
Look into your heart
Indeed we are peace
© K Hannan
It is an impossible quest
and causes all this trouble
All this trouble
It causes all this trouble
For health is our nature
Likewise peace is our nature
Indeed we are peace
Indeed we are peace
Indeed we are peace
Indeed we are peace
Indeed we are peace
Indeed I am peace
Stop the search
Indeed you are peace
Look into your heart
Indeed we are peace