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

Take a lesson away

This morning, in a public place, a friend of mine lost her 22 month old toddler. This woman was frantic. It appeared to her as if everyone around her appeared unaware or simply minded their own business. A few people were helping but not panicking. As my friend raced around, looking high and low, her focus shifted from composure to fear.  I reassured her and yet she felt time was running out and so, started calling the police.

Even so, I continued to search the immediate area. Soon afterwards, I discovered the child happy as can be. This toddler had innocently wandered out of a busy library, unnoticed by a manned reception desk, by automatic doors to the street, run down a corridor, by an open toy library, passed doors to toilets and by people before entering a playgroup area. The child easily blended in and started playing with toys. This child continued acting as if all is well.  How you would respond in her mom's shoes? Feel relieved by a hug and move on?  Come what may, are you always calm as a cucumber? Or do you struggle to let go of fear?

Very often the body is here, but the mind is not.  It gets caught in the net of uncertainty.  It is not totally here.  The past is totally gone and future not yet here. Breathe mindfully to focus on the present.  The next time you are fearful, follow your breath.  You touch the miracle and insight of being alive.  Exhale tension, fear, anger, regret and guilt in the body.

It may surprise you that nobody in the area responded as if a wandering toddler is out of the ordinary.  Even the adults near their children attending playgroup did not look for a missing parent. Its not about others though, is it? Its about how each of us responds to the situations life throws our way. Every situation offers lessons. We can be grateful for guardian angels, and focus on knowing all is well, or assume the worst.  Notice visions triggered in the mind.

What causes you to shift away from peace of mind?  What do you take away from situations that scare you? Who or what prompts you to lose your cool and freak out?  How is each new focus of attention a true gift? When are you 'calm, cool and collected?'

“Happiness is not the absence of problems, it's the ability to deal with them.” -Steve Marboli

"God is happiness and available twenty four hours a day." - Andre Gide

Be happy now

If you focus attention on the external world, and link your sense of happiness to that, you also set yourself up for potential disappointment.  For instance, if you tell yourself you will be happy when your conditions change, or when you obtain something that you are convinced you do not yet have, then you are distracting yourself from the happiness of being here in this moment. Allow yourself to see through the lens of love, and love is all you see. That is, expectations, judgments or other distractions no longer come into your scope. From the moment you are open and receptive to the flow of life, and stop analyzing, only happiness exists.

"Happiness never decreases by being shared." -Buddha

Short cut to happiness

'Short cut to happiness' was the topic of our radio show February 9th. This triggered exchanges which prompt reflections shared here. 

Notice when in your life, you feel completely satisfied and when you feel compelled to seek a source of happiness outside yourself.  Notice the thoughts that run through your head and emotions that flow noticeably through you.  Notice different options exist for how you choose to feel inspired.  Watch your changing state of mind.  The shortest road to anything is to be it and stop seeking. You evolve and get here or listen to the heart only when ready.

"There are no shotcuts in evolution." -Louis D. Brandeis

The key to happiness

The key to happiness is felt in the recognition you are that already. Mental desire, discernment and judgement of the mind offer another perspective, but this is not the real you, or that which observes everything in silence. Being joy feels this unspeakable essence that is fully present, and all-seeing with clarity.  As striving for anything ceases, allowing takes over.  What remains is felt as innersight reveals itself.

Feel what its like to experience unwavering peace of mind, to be aware of innate perfection. Regardless of what the mind would have you believe is unfolding in the movie of your life, serenity is unwavering behind everything. Being happiness feels like there is nothing to escape, nothing to seek. That which transcends space, form, and time is revealed as the lumen being emerging and opening doors to eternity.  Notice your focus.  Recognize the being of light, the feeling of divine presence that is grace.

"To be awake is to be alive." - Henry David Thoreau

"The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness." -Maharishi Mahest Yogi