Every single person on this planet is striving to be happy. This is the state of being that we all know from the time of our birth. It is a state of being that we recognize as our true self – who we deeply are.
This is something Michael Domeyko Rowland covers in his book “Absolute Happiness” (1990’s) and in his recent movie “Being in Heaven” both of which I highly recommend. There are many other authors and spiritual practices that also endorse this principle.
Now, for most of us, this happiness doesn’t last. It gets replaced by a striving force to survive, which feels more like the opposite of being happy. The reason we are doing this is astonishingly simple – because we are told to do so.
- Our heritage tells us what to think and feel
- Our government tells us what to think and feel
- Our society tells us what to think and feel
Our predominant current western world view is determined by a centuries old paradigm – Newton’s world view of the universe as a giant clock works is studied, as it has been for centuries, in our schools. This world-view teaches us that we humans operate similarly to a mechanical clock. This view teaches that everything is ruled by cause and effect, and almost everything can be replaced when it’s damaged.
In addition, we are taught the concept of the survival of the fittest although this is changing to some extent. Together, these two ideas condition us to accept that people, like animals, must function in a state of mechanical perfection or be replaced by more perfectly functioning components in the system. These old concepts have led to a society as a whole that is completely self-centered, ego-driven, irresponsible and environmentally destructive as the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico reminds us. They have led us to a cult of happiness seekers who get their adrenalin rush by buying more useless stuff on a daily basis – all in a subconscious attempt to maintain the illusion of perfection.
In the western world, many of us have been conditioned to consume the world in an effort to attain this illusory perfection, and it shows in our day-to-day lives. Simply put, we work at places we don’t like in order to buy stuff we don’t need. Now I know this doesn’t apply to some people who are aiming to live more simply and/or who follow and live their passion.
For many of us, we have forgotten that the source of happiness lies within the center of our spiritual being, and we have replaced it by seeking it in the material world. Perhaps we have things backward.
Why not look for happiness within. Try meditation, listening to music, or being in nature to help get more in touch with who you are to feel more peace and happiness.
Love and blessings
Gail Kingston
Adapted from work by Thomas Herold -Co-Founder & CEO, Dream Manifesto
