31) The Truth

We are confused about who we are. 

We fight for what we want on an individual level. We feel separate and disconnected from our fellow men. We do not live in harmony, because we do not know who we are. If we don’t really know who we are, then how can we really know what we need or what we want? This is a recipe for constant striving and disappointment.

Somewhere deep down, we accept that we are connected with everything and everyone around us. We love beauty, we know right and wrong, we have our ideals. This is shared with all humanity. This is a connection of the spirit. It is not logic or intelligence. Appreciation of these things are much more than logic or intelligence.

The Bhagavad Gita tells us that the wise do not grieve for the living or the dead. Because the spirit is immortal, we were never born and will never die. This might not be obvious at first glance but as soon as we look below the surface, we see the truth. There was never a time that we did not exist and there will never be a time when we will not exist.

We ignore the eternal spirit, and we ignore the needs of the spirit. Instead, we mistakenly search for things that will never ultimately satisfy us, the short lived cravings of the senses.

As we continue to strive, we even trample on those that get in our way. Not knowing what we really need, leads to constant disappointment, which leads to frustration, which leads to anger, which on a global scale leads to war.

If we are to meet our needs, find ultimate satisfaction in life, we need to understand who we are. We need to go down to the very root of the problem if we are to have any chance of living in peace and real, fulfilling, enduring happiness.

This is where the teachings and ancient scriptures can help us. By studying and learning we can make sense of where we have come from, who we are and where we are going. It is up to each one of us to explore the truth for ourselves, as no one will do it, or can do it, for us.

30) Teachings On Happiness From The East

Our monkey minds misinterpret the world and give us the wrong advice. People around us misinterpret their world too, and give us the wrong advice. Our lives are one painful skirmish after another, based upon misinterpretation, wrong advice and wrong reactions.

We pretend the problem of unnecessary conflict doesn’t exist. Many of us don’t even realise there is a problem. We just think this is normal.

We have been brought up to bury our heads. We have been taught to ignore the conflict inside.

The result is a life of conflict and indecision. We feel, and we see conflict inside our heads, inside our homes, inside our schools, inside our work place, inside our town, inside our country, in our world on a global scale.

We quarrel with those we love, and wonder how it happened. We suffer angry outbursts, are riddled with turbulent thoughts. We are doubtful, confused. 

We are fighting ourselves and as well as others. And the conflict weakens us …. It makes us unhappy.

If we can see how misinterpretation is affecting our lives, we can change it, and learn to be constantly, blissfully happy. The Bhagavad Gita and the Patanjalis Yoga Sutras are wonderful ancient scriptures from the East. They teach us how to stop mental turmoil, misinterpretation and therefore how to find true happiness.

29) The Beauty Of The Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita tells us in the second chapter:

"When we overcome the confusions of the physical world, we experience a kind of unity with all life, and then peace and clarity follow."

The confusions are the ripplings of the mind.

If we learn to control these ripplings, these disturbances, we can see the beauty of now.

Then we can learn to live in the present moment, without constantly thinking about yesterday or tomorrow.

If we can also learn to interpret the world around us correctly, as simply a result of cause and effect, then we realise that no one is to blame.

All we need to do, is live ethically, love without expectation, give our time generously with no thought of reward, be kind, be compassionate.

If we can do this, we will live a life full of equanimity, joy and happiness.

28) Be Kind To Yourself

One of the first observances we follow when we bring the yoga sutras into our life, is non-violence.

This means avoiding violence to others AND oneself. 

It means non-violence in thought, word and deed.

Non-violence also means being kind, generous and compassionate.

We try to focus on being kind, generous and compassionate to every person we come into contact with, on a daily basis.

We often forget that the most important person we need to show kindness, generosity and compassion to, is ourselves.

How can we genuinely treat others in this loving, positive way, if we cannot treat ourselves in this way first?  

So treat yourself with kindness and compassion. And be happy!