Have a happy mind

Many experiences are universal yet, must be discovered and rediscovered by each of us at our own pace.  We allow wisdom to reveal itself through us when we are ready and willing to accept it.  We each weave our own tapestry of life by making choices. How to maintain a happy mind?

1) Break free of the traps of the mind: Let go of the past, stop focusing attention on fear and the future. This releases you from ties binding you to karma/ family histories (recover the 'original self'). As identities are seen as the masks they are and shed, personal histories shrink and fade.

2) Be aware of and let go of attachment to inner possessions; judgments, thoughts, values, and ideas about right and wrong.  Notice everyone is a teacher pointing to existing contentment.

3) Break free of the traps of the body/ impermanent world. Thinking about doing anything is the hard part. Notice how the mind stalls and postpones things. Taking action itself is easy.

4) Explore the true nature of freedom & what it means to be 'liberated in life.' Notice you deny the ultimate freedom. You only step beyond parameters after you create them and grow aware.

5) Bring together the elements of a fragmented existence.  Each person who is open and receptive grows aware of an inner pilgrimmage and unique experiences with Spirit.

6) Be here in this present moment in mindfulness and kindness. 

"Renounce the self that does the renunciation." -Swami Venkatesananda

The truth of intrinsic value

Brainstorm what you value. Notice certain metals, gems, and currencies may appear on the list. Notice physical and non-physical things you value evolve with you. Think some things are more valuable than others? Pay attention to who interprets what has value for "you".

Now, step back.  You begin to see nothing has value, or holds importance, unless you believe it in the mind, unless you buy into collective agreement about what has value. You begin to see the inner judge in action. Notice what happens as you begin to see through your beliefs. How do you feel about an inner shift to valuing more peaceful, mindful awareness? 

Whether or not you get that job, the relationship breaks up or stays together, or your wildest dreams come true, what has intrinsic value always provides what you need.  Observe: The less attached you are to people, weather, seasons and other things, the more you accept what unfolds in your scope of awareness with grace and gratitude. As well, the more receptive you are now, the more empathic you are of people and their circumstances, and the more willing you are to reach out and lend a hand. Everything points to what has intrinsic value.

It is said the more things of value a person acquires, the more fearful and insecure he is about losing them. As you remain reserved, do not allow yourself to attach or cling,  you come to appreciate where you are and an amazing thing happens. Fear and selfishness disappear. What you have or not is less important than how you feel. You only see the good in people.  Everything points toward it. You only see things as they are (not as the judging mind does).

Letting go of expectations shifts the focus inward.  Keep in sight the nature of impermanence and non-self.  Accept the insight of impermanence in this moment.  When you resist being here as  wholeness, you resist embracing true self.  Be nothing.  Understand everything. As human beings, we share one Source, one origin. What we cannot change has intrinsic value.  Send energy of love and compassion to every part of the body.  All that matters is revealed.

"We are the men of intrinsic value, who can strike our fortunes out of ourselves, whose worth is independent of accidents in life, or revolutions in government..." -George Farquhar

Be aware

Be aware.  Step back to observe how the mind functions. Notice stillness and what is engaged when you think or feel a current.  What is your focus of attention as you choose to agree or disagree? If you dislike something in your life, notice what happens as you change your thoughts. Harness the power of mind. Recall who is actually captain or master of this ship.

It is always possible to detach from conditions, to stop thinking, comparing, judging. All it takes is  letting go. Call it a shift inward if you will. Flow into a new mindstream. Engage the senses mindfully. Notice the waves simply arise and pass through you. All currents, forms of resistance, emotional reaction and suffering, cease. Peace and compassion flow freely now.  Feel it.  Be that.

"In fact, everything we encounter in this world with our six senses is an inkblot test.
You see what you are thinking and feeling, seldom what you are looking at." -Shiqin

Train your attention

Mindfulness is training your attention to be awake and aware of what goes on inside and outside yourself.  It is a sharpening of the senses.  Notice what you are creating and adding to your experiences.  Notice also what ideas you cling to and also those attachments you are willing to let go. Notice the feelings that arise and dissipate as you decide nothing matters.

What do you sense about your own observation and evolving behaviour in this moment? How does your life perspective (the nature of seeing) shift as you only speak to people who are truly present? What do you see in common with people you encounter and those you don't?

"If you first fortify yourself with the true knowledge of the Universal Self, and then live in the midst of wealth and worldliness, surely they will in no way affect you." -Ramakrishna

Celebrate every dream

Notice how you hear, see and know things on a deep level that nothing can actually shake. You view this as intuition, gut feeling, inner knowing or something else. Why shake it off?

Let's say everything you encounter is a layer of a dream, itself a reflection of the divine that takes form to invite you to respond. Its like a cosmic holodeck. You design the program and play the virtual game. Imagine that each person, place or thing you encounter is a different version of you inviting you to see something more clearly or to learn about yourself. All you notice in the external world is what you do not yet consciously know yourself to be.  You are not only what you are becoming, but what you already are, like a tribe of many colours.

Notice whether you feel things out or think your way along. You have intelligence and insight to make conscious choices.  What happens when every moment feels the same to you?

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.” -Henry David Thoreau