Part 1 of 3:
The Key to Happiness & Peace
“To be or not to be…” may not be the question for us. We might find out more by asking…
“Are peace and happiness what I am really looking for?”
“And, if so, how important is that for me, and what priority am I giving that?”
We chase after so many things… financial security and wealth, prestige and recognition, a special relationship, fun activities and adventures, developing our skills. All of these things are actually worthy of our attention, effort and time. But none of them, no matter how well we do with them, will in themselves satisfy us or get us established steadily in a state of happiness and peace. Most likely you have met people who have attained some or all of the listed items here without finding their happiness or peace.
Please note that there is nothing wrong with any of those things, unless we mistakenly think that they will make us happy and bring us to our peaceful nature. People sometimes misquote the Bible, saying “money is the root of all evil,” rather than the correct teaching that “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Money can be very useful, and you have an innate nature and right to abundance. But seeking money as your love, thinking that wealth is the secret to happiness is a big mistake. This does not mean that having money and being wealthy is wrong. There are many who are established in that state of peace and happiness who are also notably rich as well.
The key for us is to recognize what is it that we really need, what we are really looking for, and then make seeking that our highest priority. Being at peace and happy is what we all want.
We are to be yogis. Yoga means union. In union there is not a victor, a winner and a loser, but a joining together in a mutual harmony. As human beings we are sensual creatures. Yogis talk about 6 senses: sight, touch, hearing, smell, taste and mind. The sages explain that we are not to be dragged about and controlled by these senses, but rather that we are to manage them and make use of them so that they serve toward our ultimate objective of becoming established in happiness and peace. The union of yoga is where both our worldly experiences and spiritual consciousness come into beautiful, complimentary harmony. And when this happens we find ourselves living with the peace and happiness innate to each of us.
May love and blessings ever flow to and through you.
Yours in Yoga,
Jayadeva
[part 2 coming… Finding Your Own Way to Peace and Happiness