Extraordinary Freedom

The parable of the boiling frog describes how researchers compared the responses of frogs in two different experiments. In the first scenario, researchers placed a frog into a pot of boiling water. Without hesitation and regardless of the water level, the frog immediately acted on instinct and jumped to safety. In the second scenario, a frog was put into a pot of water, but this time the water temperature began as comfortable and nonthreatening. Researchers then gradually raised the temperature and waited for the frog to realize it was in danger and take appropriate action. But this never happened. Although the p displayed sporadic moments of pain and discomfort, it did nothing. It continued to endure, adapt, and withstand the intolerable environment. The frog became increasingly lethargic and less responsive until it died.2
We, too, are often slowly boiled in the waters of conditioning, stress, anger, anxiety, worry, and fear and often don’t know that our situation is dire. Instead of changing the way we live our lives, we continue, oblivious to the rising heat, until we meet our demise. Thankfully, if you are reading this book, you have noticed the heat and wish to jump out of the pot and into the cool waters of peace.
Your situation may not seem critical because the heat has been rising slowly. Sometimes it seems easier to stay with what we know rather than put forth the effort to venture into new territory. Staying in the pot seems okay; we really don’t know that it will get hotter—or do we? We may think, If only I were a better swimmer, prettier, skinnier, more muscular, smarter, or a funnier frog, I could change my situation. So we swim around in the ever-warming pot, spending years trying to make ourselves better, worthy of life and love. As the temperature increases, we may start to worry and fret, complaining to everyone about the situation, blaming the universe for our troubles. We become lethargic, depressed, anxious, and hopeless, because no matter what we do, it doesn’t seem to help. The temperature continues to rise even with all of our mental efforts to control the situation.
Does the water feel a little bit warm to you? Are you ready to jump, or do you prefer a new bathing suit so you can enjoy the Jacuzzi-like warmth of the pot?